Section 14 – 1 Peter 3:13 – 22
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. 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.
● (v13). Who might want to harm you if you are eager to do good? Why would they harm a Christian for doing good?
● (v14). What are the circumstances of the blessing mentioned in verse 14? Do you want that blessing?
● (v15). How will it change our lives when we revere Christ as Lord? List some ways it can change us. Can non-believers notice a difference in our life?
● How can we prepare to give the reason for the hope we have? Who might ask us for the hope we have? Why might Peter emphasize sharing our hope with gentleness and respect?
● (v17). Can it be God’s will for us to suffer as Christians? Why might we suffer for doing good? Can we suffer for doing wrong in God’s name?
● (vs18-21). How are we to handle passages in the Bible that are difficult to understand and interpret?
● (v22). Where is Christ now? Who is in submission to him? Who are the angels, authorities, and powers under Christ?
● What is something from our passage you are challenged to ponder further this week?