BEAUTIFUL WIVES AND CONSIDERATE HUSBANDS IN CHRIST

by HQ Bible Study Team   09/13/2011     0 reads

Question

BEAUTIFUL WIVES AND CONSIDERATE HUSBANDS IN CHRIST

1 Peter 2:13–3:8
Key Verse: 2:21

  • Peter is writing to Christians scattered by persecution throughout the Roman Empire (1:1). He reminds them of their living hope through the resurrection of Jesus (1:3–4) and admonishes them to be holy (1:15–16). He encourages them to come to Jesus, the living Stone--rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him (2:4), and to recognize that they are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood (2:5). He also reminds them of their new identity as God’s people chosen to declare his praises in the world (2:9), especially to influence the world by their good lives (2:11–12).

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (2:13–25)

  1. Note Peter’s repetition of the word “submit” (2:13,18; 3:1,5b). Why does he urge Christians to submit instead of trying to change unjust social structures? How can we submit when it is especially painful and unjust? (2:19,23)
     
  2.  Read 2:21–25. How did Jesus save and heal us? What new relationship and direction does he give us? In light of this, how can we follow Jesus’ example of submission?

BEAUTIFUL WIVES (3:1–6)

  1.  In the same way, how does Peter admonish Christian wives? (3:1a) What kind of husband does he mention here? (3:1) How can a wife influence such a man? (3:1b) What kind of behavior does Peter mention? (3:2) How can wives be like this? (1:21–22)
     
  2.  What are the two kinds of beauty Peter mentions, how are they different, and which is most important in God’s sight? (3:3–4) How does a gentle and quiet spirit reveal Jesus in us? (Mt11:28–30) Why is such beauty especially effective in winning over a husband?
     
  3. How can wives have such unfading beauty? (3:5; 1:3–4) How does hope in God help a wife submit to her husband? What was Sarah’s good example? (3:6a) How can Christian wives apply this principle? (3:6b)

CONSIDERATE HUSBANDS (3:7–8)

  1. In what two ways does Peter admonish husbands to be Christ-like in the way they treat their wives? (7) What does it mean to be considerate, and in what practical ways can husbands do this?
     
  2. For what two reasons should husbands treat their wives with respect? (7b) Why should they respect their wives as equal partners? (Ge1:27; 2:18) What are some practical ways to do this? How does God bless such couples? (7c) What kind of community results when we follow Jesus’ example? (8)

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