Who is Peter addressing in this section? (1Peter 3:8-12)
List the five specific attitudes that Peter commands the readers to have. (1Peter 3:8)
What two negative actions are believers commanded not to do and what are they commanded to do instead? And why? (1Peter 3:9)
Verse 10 begins with a quotation from the Old Testament Psalm 34, what conditions does it give for someone who wants to love life and see good days? (1Peter 3:10-11)
How does the Lord relate to the righteous and in contrast, what is the Lord‘s posture towards those who do evil? (1Peter 3:12)
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?
Dig deeper into the attitudes mentioned in verse 8. How would you distinguish between these five expressions? (1Peter 3:8)
Peter says - ‘to this you were called’ in verse 9, how does viewing this difficult command as a central part of our Christian calling change our motivation to obey it? (1 Peter 3:9)
Peter quotes from Psalms 34 in verse 10 to 12. How important is it to shape our attitudes and responses in accordance with the word of God? (1Peter 3:10-12)
How does Peter's use of Psalm 34 function as a theological motivation for his command in verse 8 & 9? What is the connection between “repaying evil with blessing” and the promise of “loving life and seeing good days”?
What do we learn from the contrast between “the eyes of the Lord” on the righteous and “the face of the Lord against the evil”? How is our prayers affected by the way we live our lives? (1Peter 3:12)
APPLICATION
What will I do?
Considering the commands in this passage, reflect on areas where you might have sinned? Respond by repenting and turning away from these sins.
Looking at the entire passage, what is one command that stands out for you that you can focus on this week? What is one practical step you can take to live it out?
Think of ways in which you could respond to evil or insults with blessing.
