1 Peter Chapter 3 - Homelitics Practice

I find that I have not developed the ability to come up with clever tie ins for my division yet. You know like all words beginning with the same letter! Hopefully I will be able to in time, or maybe I'm thinking to much about that. Anyway here is my 3rd installment.

Divisions:

I. 3:1-7 ~ God's standards for marriage bring the better reward.

II. 3:8-13 ~ Evil exists, don't be part of it, but bless others and seek peace.

III. 3:14-18 ~ In suffering revere Christ, be prepared, gentle & respectful when telling of your hope.

IV. 3:19-22 ~ God's patience produces salvation symbolized by water through Christ's resurrection, placing all in submission to Him.

Subject Sentence: Do not fear submission & suffering; obey and receive blessings.

AIM: To cause the audience to: Understand that all relationships are blessed through mutual submission, first to Christ, then to each other.

Application questions:

I. How are you measuring up in your marriage? If your spouse is a non-believer, does he/she see Christ in your conduct?

II. Are you willing to turn the other cheek? Do you desire peace and pursue it, or are you letting bitterness drive you?

III. When others see your conduct in the face of suffering are you prepared to give an answer for your hope, that they hopefully see? Are you critical of others in their walk or are you respectful and gentle in teaching them?

IV. Has your conscience been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ? Are you submitted to Him as LORD?

This study hit very close to home for me, well it hit me period. I am mindful that it is not about me, but about Christ, and how I am supposed to react to what goes on around me. The evil part of me wants so badly to retaliate, to hurt back, to not forgive, but that is TOTALLY unChristlike behavior, and it DOES NOT bring glory to God. PERIOD. I'm reminded of the verses:

Romans 12:18-20
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

It is not up to us to handle the situations that come our way in life. We are to submit to God in ALL things. It says in verse 9 of Chapter 3 ~ "Do not repay evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were CALLED, that you may obtain a blessing."

May God continue to show me how I am to live my life, and may it bless someone our there also!