- Pray
- Read 1 Peter 5 - Choose a new version today.
- Reread 1 Peter 5:1-4. Think heavily about Peter's closing remarks. Why do you think he picked these topics to end his letter? Is there any significance in the location of these words?
- Comment - Let us know your thoughts!
Happy studying! Hopefully, I'll have time to get my thoughts on here soon :)
Well this got me thinking Lindsey. I can think right off the top of my head some reasons that stand out, but my heart is telling me there's more to it then the obvious. So, I'm going to mull it over throughout the day before I comment and also see what my husband thinks. I absolutely love talking with him about the context of scripture and he has never once displayed even a hint of disinterest whenever I randomely mention anything that has to do with the Word. I love that about him so much. He's a great study buddy, so I'll run this by him and comment later this evening, k. Thank you for being faithful to post the study for us in the midst of your busier back-to-school days.
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me for not keeping my word by following through with posting my comment yesterday evening. No excuses. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like each chapter in 1 Peter is somewhat related to Christian maturity. He seems to address things that we walk through and grow in over time after our conversion has taken place. I noticed this while reading but the notes in my Bible summarized this outine of the chapters...
Ch. 1- Our faith and hope in Christ's return/our righteous living.
Ch. 2- Our conduct in everyday circumstances/submission and respect towards others.
Ch. 3 & 4- Suffering for Christ's sake.
Ch. 5- Serving with humility in the midst of suffering.
The ability to walk in the fruits of Ch. 5, are not possible without first having the foundation that is addressed in Ch. 1, then 2 and so on.
After really mulling over the context of and pattern in which Peter wrote chapters 1-4, it seems only fitting that he would end his letter with a final encouragement to "Shephard the flock." Peter, also being an elder, was demonstrating HOW to "Shepard a flock." He was living out by example the instruction he was giving to his fellow elders. Peter did this by being a willing, eager example of the leaders he was encouraging them to be. He was encouraging them to now follow in the footsteps he had just demonstrated through the instruction and exhortation in the previous 4 chapters.
Sorry for not commenting much at all. As you know, going back to work after the summer off is a huge adjustment. I just cannot find time to comment. As I read those first 4 verses I really see this as the place where leading by example originated. I think that even in the church good men and women can find themselves with positions of power going to their heads, and yet we see here that it is important that we are examples in everything we do. We are not doing anything for ourselves but for God. I also agree that 1 Peter deals a lot with Christian maturity and how we should behave.
ReplyDeleteHey, Lindsey is everything okay? Not sure why haven't posted the Bible study for Friday or today now... I've been a little worried about you and I have a hard time picturing you just choosing to not post the reading assignments for a study you're leading. Sure hope everything is okay.
ReplyDeleteI have been in touch with Lindsey and she is just very busy and has not been able to update. She is fine, though.
ReplyDelete