Bible Reading
1 Peter 3:8-22“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
[24:12]“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
[30:44]“For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’”
[33:38]“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.”
[39:14]“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
[46:50]“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
[19:48]“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”
[49:10]“In which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.”
[51:49]“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
[52:12]“Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
[58:04]Psalm 34:12-16“What man is there who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
[34:05]“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
[19:22]1 Peter 2:11-12“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
[23:18]John 13:35“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
[29:43]Observation questions
- What five qualities does Peter name in 1 Peter 3:8, and how do they address the mind, emotions, and actions of God’s people? [25:09]
- According to 1 Peter 3:9, what two kinds of hurtful treatment are believers not to repay, and what are they called to do instead? [31:24]
- What three practical actions does Psalm 34 give for someone who desires to love life and see good days? [34:05]
- In 1 Peter 3:15-17, what parts of a believer’s witness are meant to fit together: the hope they explain, the way they speak, and the life they live? [46:50]
Interpretation questions
- Peter calls believers to unity of mind and humility, not necessarily identical opinions. How can a church member hold a conviction clearly while still treating another person as more important than winning an argument? [26:00]
- What does it mean to “bless” someone who has acted wrongly or spoken hurtfully? How does praying for God’s favor on that person differ from pretending that the wrong did not matter? [31:52]
- Psalm 34 says that God’s eyes are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer. Why does this promise not mean that faithful believers will always have easy or comfortable lives? [36:26]
- Peter connects Christian suffering to Christ, “the righteous for the unrighteous,” and to Christ’s resurrection and reign. How does Christ’s victory change the meaning of suffering for doing good? [49:33]
Application questions
- Is there a relationship in the church, at home, or at work where the desire to win a position has become stronger than the desire to win the person? What could humility, sympathy, or brotherly love look like in that relationship this week? [26:59]
- When someone speaks sharply, insults, misrepresents, or inconveniences you, what is your usual instinct? What might it look like to refuse retaliation and instead bless that person in a real and honest way? [31:45]
- Which part of Psalm 34 is most needed right now: guarding your words, turning from wrong actions to do good, or taking an active step toward peace? What is one specific situation where that could be practiced? [34:21]
- What fear feels like a sudden, loud jolt in your life right now? What ongoing trouble has been quietly humming in the background? Which known truths about the character and rule of Christ can replace the fearful guesses about what is unknown? [44:44]
- If someone asked why you respond differently to pressure, conflict, or hostility, how would you explain the hope you have in Jesus? What would help your words be both clear and marked by gentleness and respect? [47:13]
- Jesus reigns over every authority and power, so frustration at home, pressure at work, conflict online, and digital habits are all tied to Him. Where do you most need to remember this week: “This too is tied to Him”? [59:54]
