BBCC Bible Study Notes

HOW HE LEADS, HOW WE FOLLOW 1 Peter 5:1-5

November 17^th, 2024

Introduction

John 21:15–17 (NIV) 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep… Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

1. Christians should expect suffering in this life

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." - 1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)

• Trust God who is faithful, all-knowing, sovereign, and loves you
• Do good by using your gifts, serving, and loving each other
  

1. God helps people trust Him and do good through the church community

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them." - 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)

• Shepherds help sheep know where to go, what to do, and provide for their needs
• People need care and can't make it alone, just like sheep can't survive by themselves
  

1. Mature Christians should care for less mature Christians with the right motives

"Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." - 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)

• Shepherd because you are eager to serve, not for power or ego
• Serve joyfully for the future reward of a "crown of glory that will never fade away"
  

1. Everyone should humbly learn from and help each other

"You who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" - 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

• If you've walked with Jesus, you have something to learn and something to teach
• Have the courage to help each other and the humility to accept help

BBCC Verse of the Week: 1 Peter 5:5b (NIV) All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:1-5 - Study/Discussion Guide

What Peter is describing here is not leaders but shepherds. In a rural economy, it's hardly surprising that this is one of the standard images for the way in which either God himself, or the anointed king, is to look after the "sheep" The best shepherds aren't thinking How can I be a shepherd? but How can I best look after these sheep? The focus of the good shepherd is not only on his or her own qualities but on the needs of, and potential dangers for, those they are looking after. (Wright)

So I exhort the elders among you seems at first unrelated to the previous section, but the word so or ‘therefore’ (oun) suggests that this section follows logically on from the previous one. It is likely that the thought of judgment beginning from the house of God (4:17) prompted Peter to focus on the need for purity of heart before God in relationships among those in the church, beginning with the leaders of the church. This pattern may even have been suggested by Ezekiel 9:6, from which Peter borrowed the language about judgment beginning ‘from the house of God’, for there it says, ‘So they began with the elders who were before (LXX: in) the house.’ The connection is: since purifying judgment is beginning with God’s house, and especially with the leaders of God’s house, therefore I exhort the elders among you. (Grudem)

The courageous act of leading the church in perilous times rather than renouncing Christ is itself a form of witness that Peter shares with local church leadership. … The shepherd motif was widely known in Jewish tradition, but because of the heavy concentration of quotations and allusions to Isa. 53 LXX in 1 Pet. 2:21–25, it is likely the wandering-sheep image in 1 Peter has as its immediate background Isa. 53:6 LXX: “All we like sheep have gone astray; each has strayed in his own way, and the Lord gave him [the Suffering Servant] over to our sins.” Peter sees the formation of the Christian community as a fulfillment of God’s promise to seek out the scattered sheep and to oversee (episkepsomai) them (Ezek. 34:11 LXX). They are to follow the footsteps of Christ even as sheep follow their shepherd. (Jobes)

Whether leader or laity, whether old or young, Christians are to develop a deferential and humble attitude toward one another. Peter hinted at this in 3:8–12 and 4:7–11; he now makes it more explicit. The elder is not to arrogate himself to the position of dominant partner, nor are the younger members to rebel against the authority of the elders; rather, they are to respect one another mutually. The elder’s service is by way of leadership while the younger members’ service is by way of conformity to the norm of the elders. (McKnight)

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it look like when leaders "lord it over" others or are overriding?
2. Why is it so common for leaders to act in this way instead of serving?
3. Consider what leadership or shepherding responsibilities you have. What's one way you can apply what Peter says to your situation? (If you don't think you have any particular such duties, what can you do now to prepare yourself to be the kind of leader Peter commends?) (N.T. Wright)

next week – Read 1 Peter 5:7-14 Pastor Samuel Sutter // sam@BBCCOnline.org

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