July 3, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – From Meditating on God’s Law to Living in God’s Will

From Meditating on God’s Law to Living in God’s Will

Psalm 1:1-6 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Who is blessed (verse 1)?

What is their delight in (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to be like a “tree planted by streams of water” (verse 3)?

Who is like “chaff that the wind blows away” (verse 4)?

What will sinners not do (verse 5)?

Who watches of the way of the righteous (verse 6)?

Where does the way of the wicked lead (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 5:24-30 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. ³⁰ By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Who has eternal life (verse 24)?

What have those who have eternal life done (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what does Jesus mean when He says “the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live” (verse 25)?

What has the Father granted the Son (verse 26)?

What authority has the Father granted the Son (verse 27)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that “all who are in their graves will hear his voice” (verse 28)?

Who will “rise to live” (verse 29)?

Who will “rise to be condemned” (verse 29)?

How does Jesus judge (verse 30)?

Who does Jesus seek to please (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is one that John quotes Jesus as saying “has crossed over from death to life” in John 5:24-30 similar to the one the Psalmist says in Psalms 1 “is like a tree planted by streams of water”?

Philippians 2:5-11 - New International Version (NIV)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Who should our mindset be the same as (verse 5)?

What did Jesus not use to His own advantage (verse 6)?

How did Jesus make Himself nothing (verse 7)?

How did Jesus demonstrate His humble obedience (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that God has given Jesus “the name that is above every name” (verse 9)?

What will happen “at the name of Jesus” (verse 10)?

What will happen “to the glory of God the Father” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what will be different about the attitude of the people who have done what is good and “will rise to live” and those who have done what is evil and who “will rise to be condemned” that Jesus spoke of in John 5:24-30 when they respond to the name of Jesus by bowing their knees and acknowledging with their tongues that Jesus Christ is Lord as Paul prophesies in Philippians 2:5-11?

In your opinion, how is Jesus, who Paul says in Philippians 2:5-11, “humbles himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on the cross” a perfect example of the one who the Psalmist in Psalm 1 said had delight in the law of the Lord and meditated on it day and night and who then was “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither —whatever they do prospers”?

1 Peter 4:1-6 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

What is “whoever suffers in the body” done with (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why would the one who suffered in the body not live for “evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (verse 2)?

How do pagan choose to live (verse 3)?

Why are the pagans surprised (verse 4)?

Who will the pagans have to give account to (verse 5)?

Why was the gospel “preached even to those who are now dead” (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does Paul in Philippians 2:5-11 teach us about the attitude of Jesus that Peter says we should arm ourselves with in 1 Peter 4:1-6?

In your opinion, how does what Jesus says in John 5:24-30 about the ones who have crossed over from death to life help us to understand about the people that Peter, in 1 Peter 4:1-6, says should arm themselves “with the same attitude”?

In your opinion, how is the contrast between the one “whose delight is in the law of the Lord” and the wicked in Psalm 1 built upon by Peter in his discussion about the Christian and the pagan in 1 Peter 4:1-6?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Psalms, John, Philippians and 1 Peter show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 4:7 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 26, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Regret and Salvation

Regret and Salvation

Genesis 6:5-8 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

What did the Lord see (verse 5)?

What was “only evil all the time” (verse 5)?

Who did the Lord regret making (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why was the Lord going to wipe out the animals, the birds, and the creatures that move along the ground along with human beings (verse 7)?

Who found “favor in the eyes of the Lord” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 4:35-41 - New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Where did Jesus tell the disciples they needed to go (verse 35)?

Who did they leave behind (verse 36)?

What nearly swamped the boat (verse 37)?

Where was Jesus (verse 38)?

In your opinion, why did the disciples say “Teach, don’t you care if we drown” (verse 38)?

What happened when Jesus said “Quiet! Be still” (verse 39)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus say “do you still have no faith” (verse 40)?

How did the disciples react to Jesus (verse 41)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is Jesus saving the disciples from the storm in Mark 4:35-41 similar to the Lord saving Noah from the Flood in Genesis 6:5-8?

Hebrews 12:1-3 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Who surrounds us (verse 1)?

What does Paul say we should “throw off” (verse 1)?

How should we run “the race marked out for us” (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why is Jesus called “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (verse 2)?

Why did Jesus endure the cross and scorn its shame (verse 2)?

Who should we consider when we endure opposition from sinners and begin to grow weary (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Jesus getting the disciples through the squall in Mark 4:35-41 help us to understand why Paul instructs us to fix our eyes on “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” in Hebrews 12:1-3?

In your opinion, how is Paul’s recommendation in Hebrews 12:1-3 that we “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” appropriate when we consider the fact mentioned in Genesis 6:5-8 that the “thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time”?

1 Peter 3:17-22 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁹ After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

In your opinion, why is it better “if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good that for doing evil” (verse 17)?

Why did Christ “suffer once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous” (verse 18)?

What happened to Christ when He was “put to death in the body” (verse 18)?

Who did Christ make a proclamation to (verse 19)?

How did God wait “while the ark was being built” (verse 20)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to say that the eight people “were saved through water” (verse 20)?

What does the water symbolize (verse 21)?

What is the baptism a pledge of (verse 21)?

How does baptism save (verse 21)?

Where has Jesus gone (verse 22)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the “throwing off everything that hinders” and the running “with perseverance the race marked out for us” that Paul talks about in Hebrews 12:1-3 an appropriate follow up for the “pledge of a clear conscience toward God” that Peter says baptism is in 1 Peter 3:14-22?

In your opinion, what has taken Peter from being afraid of the squall and the terrified of Jesus in Mark 4:35-41 to being confident in the resurrection of Christ and His ascension into heaven in 1 Peter 3:14-22?

In your opinion, what does Noah, who found “favor in the eyes of the Lord” in Genesis 6:5-8 and then was saved from the flood of the water have in common with all those who have been baptized with water which saves through the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to Peter in 1 Peter 3:17-22?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Genesis, Mark, Hebrews and 1 Peter show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 4:1 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 19, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Suffering and Loving

Suffering and Loving

Psalms 34:12-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

What should one who loves life and “desires to see many good days” do (verses 12 and 13)?

In your opinion, why is it important to not only “turn from evil” but to “do good” (verse 14)?

Who are the “eyes of the Lord” on (verse 15)?

How does the Lord react to “those who do evil” (verse 16)?

Who does the Lord hear when they cry out (verse 17)?

In your opinion, why is it important that the Lord is “close to the brokenhearted” (verse 18)?

Who does the Lord save (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 13:31-38 - New International Version (NIV)

³¹ “When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

³³ “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

³⁶ Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

³⁷ Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

³⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

Who is glorified when the “Son of Man is glorified” (verse 31)?

Who will God glorify “if God is glorified in him” (verse 32)?

How much longer will Jesus be with the disciples (verse 33)?

Will the disciples be able to go where Jesus goes (verse 33)?

What kind of command is “love one another” (verse 34)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to love each other “as I have loved you” (verse 34)?

How will everyone “know that you are my disciples” (verse 35)?

What did Simon Peter ask Jesus (verse 36)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus answer Peter by saying “where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (verse 36)?

What did Peter say he would do for Jesus (verse 37)?

How long will it take Peter to disown Jesus three times (verse 38)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does the instruction of Psalm 34:12-18 to “turn from evil and do good” gain richness when Jesus says in John 13:31-38 to “as I have loved you, so you must love one another”?

Romans 12:14-21 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Who does Paul say we should bless (verse 14)?

How should we respond to those who rejoice (verse 15)?

How should we respond to those who mourn (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why would being proud be an obstacle to associating with people of low position” (verse 16)?

What are we to do in the eyes of everyone (verse 17)?

In your opinion, why does Paul say “if it is possible” before he instructs us to “live at peace with everyone” (verse 18)?

What should we leave room for instead of taking revenge (verse 19)?

What does feeding a hungry enemy do to him (verse 20)?

How should we overcome evil (verse 21)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the instruction of Jesus in John 13:31-38 to “as I have loved you, so you must love one another” given specifics by Paul in Romans 12:14-21?

In your opinion, how is the instruction of Psalms 34:12-18 to “turn from evil and do good” expanded on by Paul when he says in Romans 12:14-21 to “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”?

1 Peter 3:8-16 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Who should “be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (verse 8)?

How should evil be repaid (verse 9)?

What should those who love life keep their tongue from (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “turn from evil and do good” (verse 11)?

Who are the “eyes of the Lord” on (verse 12)?

Who is the “face of the Lord” against (verse 12)?

Who is blessed (verse 14)?

Who should we revere in our hearts (verse 15)?

What should we always be prepared for (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why would answering with “gentleness and respect” help us to keep a clear conscience (verses 15 and 16)?

Why should those who speak maliciously against us “be ashamed of their slander” (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what do Paul in Romans 12:14-24 and Peter in 1 Peter 3:8-16 agree on in how Christians should react to evil?

In your opinion, how does Peter, in 1 Peter 3:8-16, show that he heard the “new command” of Jesus in John 13:31-38 to “love one another”?

In your opinion, how does Peter, who quotes most of Psalms 34:12-18 expand of the message on turning from evil and doing good in 1 Peter 3:8-16?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Psalms, John, Romans and 1 Peter show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 3:17 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 12, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Noble and Beautiful Wives

Noble and Beautiful Wives

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ “A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

What is a wife of noble character worth (verse 10)?

What does her husband have (verse 11)?

When does she bring her husband good (verse 12)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that she is “clothed with strength and dignity” (verse 25)?

How does she speak (verse 26)?

What does she watch over (verse 27)?

Who calls her “blessed” (verse 28)?

Who does noble things (verse 29)?

Who is to be praised (verse 30)?

Why should she be honored (verse 31)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 10:35-45 - New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

What did James and John say to the “Teacher” (verse 35)?

How did Jesus answer (verse 36)?

In your opinion, what would it mean to “sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory” (verse 37)?

What did Jesus say that they did not know (verse 38)?

Did Jesus agree that they could “drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” (verses 38 and 39)?

Who do the seats at Jesus right and left belong to (verse 40)?

How did the other disciples react when they heard what James and John had done (verse 41)?

What did Jesus say the rulers of the Gentiles did (verse 42)?

What did Jesus say the high officials did (verse 42)?

What should the disciple who wants to be great be (verse 43)?

What should the one who “wants to be first” be (verse 44)?

Who came to “serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (verse 45)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the “wife of noble character” in Proverbs 31:10-12 & 25-31 an illustration of the serving that Jesus talks about in Mark: 10:35-45?

Galatians 3:23-29 - New International Version (NIV)

²³ “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

How were we held “before the coming of this faith” (verse 23)?

What was “our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what does it mean “now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (verse 25)?

Who are we “in Christ Jesus” through faith (verse 26)?

What have people who were baptized into Christ done (verse 27)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (verse 28)?

What are we if we belong to Christ (verse 29)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the words of Paul in Galatians 3:23-29 that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” expanded on by Jesus when He says in Mark 10:35-45 that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all”?

In your opinion, if Paul is right in Galatians 3:23-29 and there is no “male or female” then what message does Proverbs 31:10-12 & 25-31 have for men and women who are in Christ Jesus today?

1 Peter 3:1-7 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

How does Peter say unbelieving husbands might be won over by their Christian wives (verse 1)?

What were the unbelieving husbands to see in the lives of their Christian wives (verse 2)?

Where should beauty not come from (verse 3)?

What should beauty be of (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why is “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” of great worth in God’s sight (verse 4)?

Who did “holy women of the past” put their hope in (verse 5)?

How can women be the daughters of Sarah (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what does it mean for a husband to be “considerate” as they live with their wives (verse 7)?

Why should husbands treat their wives “with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life” (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how do you reconcile Paul’s statement in Galatians 3:23-29 that there is no “male and female” with Peter’s discussion in 1 Peter 3:1-7 that gives specific instructions to husbands and to wives?

In your opinion, how does Peter in his directions to wives and husbands 1 Peter 3:1-7 give specific instruction in how to implement the command of Jesus from Mark 10:35-45 that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”?

In your opinion, how does the wisdom of Proverbs 31:10-12 & 25-31 anticipate Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 3:1-7 that beauty “should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Proverbs, Mark, Galatians and 1 Peter show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 3:8 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)