notes on first peter three

When we gather on Thursday evening we will read the third chapter of the First Letter of Peter. Come with your questions and insights. Here are some questions to consider as you read …

In I Peter 2:11-12 we receive the following guidance: “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.” In what ways do you see this advice continuing in chapter three? Are there any situations similar to this one in our social/cultural context?

What do you make of Peter’s instruction to wives with regards to their husbands and to husbands with regards to their wives? How are we to read this in our social context?

In the 1^st Century multi-religious world of I Peter a woman was expected to adopt the particular religion – and god or gods – of her husband. What is the assumption of this letter regarding the religious affiliation of a woman?

What words would you used to describe the kind of community that Peter is calling into being in verses eight and nine? If you could portray the First Church of Peter what would its characteristics be?

In verse fifteen Peter says: “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” How would you respond if asked to make your defence to someone who asked for an account of the hope that is in you?

The UHill Lenten Devotional text on February 24 was I Peter 3:18-22. Gerald Hobbs hosted the text on that occasion. There he described the way in which this passage has been portrayed in Christian art and understood in relation to the Apostles’ Creed. Gerald wrote: “Jesus the Christ is leading all the imprisoned of human history, as people now set-free into the presence of their Maker.”  The text goes on to say that not only has Christ “made a proclamation to the spirits in prison” but that in baptism – like Noah’s ark – also saves us. What do you make of this? In what way are we saved – from what, for what?