1 Peter 3:1-7 | Living together
“I Exercises”
Imagine this section of 1 Peter is being read in a context outside of the church. Would you stay away, keep your head down or denounce it?
At First Glance
Read 1 Peter 3.1-7
In order to respond to this tricky passage, we are going to look at it in reverse. Let’s see what Peter says to the husbands before his words to wives. Please be aware that this passage could cause genuine tension and concern for some members. Please see the notes on the terms on ‘submit’ and ‘the weaker sex’.
1. Read verse 7. What clear exhortations do we have here for husbands?
• Be ….
• Treat them….
• Heirs with….
• So that….
2. What was the status and standing of women in the first century CE? Does this impact the way we understand this verse?
3. What is the status and standing of women in our context? Does this impact the way we read and live out this verse?
4. Read verses 1-6. What exhortations do we have here?
• Submit to….
• They may be….
• Your beauty should not…but should
be….
• You are her….
5. When you read the word ‘submit’ what thoughts come to mind? If we were to suggest it be understood as ‘putting the other person’s needs before one’s own’, does that help? Does it mean we can embrace this and live it out?
6. What is of great worth in God’s eyes?
A Closer Look
7. Did looking at this passage in reverse, help in understanding and thinking about this passage in our context today?
8. What is radical about what Peter says to husbands?
9. What is radical about what Peter says to wives?
10. Are we called to live as 1st Century Christians in the 21st Century?
11. Some aspects of these verses have been and continue to be a basis for some sections of the church to teach the suppression and subordination of women. Are those who teach in this way really reading the passage or imposing their own cultural or personal biases?
Looking at Me
12. For the husbands, what have you been challenged about?
13. For the wives, what have you been challenged about?
14. Can we only respond to this passage by ignoring the unpleasant bits or explaining them away?
15. It is likely that at St Columb’s there are some who may relate to the idea of regarding themselves as egalitarians and others who relate to being complementarians (there may be others who have never heard of either term!). Can we find a way to share together and respectfully disagree?
16. Is there anything in this passage for the many single people who are believers?
Curly Questions
Is there any excuse for men to domineer and control their wives in this passage?
Pray Together
Comments