Read 1 Peter 5:1-4 – Shepherding the Flock
1. Peter begins Chapter 5 addressing leaders of the church whom he calls elders. We see this term used in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:16, 12:21, 19:7) as well as the New Testament. Paul and Barnabus appointed elders in the churches they founded (Acts 14:23). The role of pastor is essentially a teaching elder as seen in 1 Tim. 5:17. The term “elder” speaks of maturity and wisdom, but not necessarily age. What characteristics would you expect from an elder?
a. In verse 1, Peter tells us 3 things about himself.
– He is a fellow elder. Why is this important?
– What “sufferings of Christ” did Peter witness?
– What might Peter have been referring to as a “partaker of the glory that will be revealed”?
b. How did these things qualify Peter to instruct the elders?
2. Shepherds and sheep are common topics in the scriptures. Jacob and his family were shepherds: Gen 47:1-6. Jesus is referred to as the Good Shepherd: Jn 10:11,14. God’s people are referred to as sheep: Is. 53:6, Mk 6:34, 1 Pet. 2:25. In what ways are we like a flock of sheep? In Mk 6:34 and Matt. 9:36, how did Jesus respond to the multitudes, whom he saw as sheep without a shepherd?
3. Peter had been instructed by Jesus to feed and tend His flock (Jn 21:15-17). Now Peter instructs leaders in the church to do the same, serving as overseers. What would be included in feeding and tending the flock of Christians?
4. Verses 3 and 4 instruct shepherds on attitude and motivation in leading. Chart this instruction.
How Not to Shepherd How to Shepherd
Read 1 Peter 5:5 – Submitting and Resisting
1. “Younger people” refers to those who are not elders either by age or spiritual maturity. The overriding instruction is to be submissive. This requires us to be clothed with humility. What does “clothed” indicate? (“Be clothed” translates a word that refers to a slave putting on an apron.)
a. Define submission
b. Describe the opposite of submission
c. How are submission and humility connected?
2. The reason for the instruction of submission and humility is given at the end of verse 5 which quotes Prov. 3:34. What does it say?
a. The verb “resists” gives us a picture of God in battle array. Why do you think such a strong word is used here?
b. Comment on this quote: Grace and pride are eternal enemies. Pride demands that God bless me in light of what I think I deserve. Grace deals with me on the basis of what is in God, not on the basis of anything in me. – Guzik
c. For what purposes does God give grace to the humble?
Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble Yourself
1. Under what are we to humble ourselves? What do you think this means?
a. In what ways might God exalt a person?
b. Waiting for God’s “due time” requires patience, and patience fights against the flesh. According to James 1:2-4, how is patience developed in us?
c. In Luke 14:11, how does Jesus further our understanding?
2. One of the ways we humble ourselves is to cast our cares upon God. The word translated “care” in verse 7a means “anxiety, the state of being pulled apart” and includes the idea of distractions. How are we instructed to deal with this in Phil. 4:6-7? What does the word “cast” indicate?
3. The word “cares” at the end of verse 7 is a different Greek work than is used at the beginning of verse 7. Here, referring to God’s concern for us, care means “to care about” or to “take care of”. How would you connect the dots between casting all your care upon God and God’s care for you?
4. What does Psalm 55:22 add to your understanding?