In this teaching, we explore 1 Peter 5:1-5. In this passage, the Apostle Peter gives us a new vision for what it means to live as God’s household by addressing elders, those who are younger (not currently leading) and everyone.

As shepherds, Peter gives three contrasts for what it means to be an elder in God’s family:

1. Not out of obligation but gospel obedience

2. Not for job security but for selfless service.

3. Not to lord over others but to be an example to the flock.

As elders take up their role of service in God’s family, Peter asks those who are younger to submit to their elders. Submission for Peter is not about withdrawal or resignation Joel Green says, but about “active engagement.”

Two takeaways of what submitting to leaders could look like:

1. Invite your MC leader or an elder into a big life decision you are making.

2. Invite yourself into the ordinary rhythms of a leader (i.e. doing laundry, playing with kids, going to the store)

The last group, Peter addresses is EVERYONE. He says for ALL to be clothed in humility.

In the midst of this election season, (100 days from now) how might we be clothed in humility towards one another knowing that none of us see the whole picture.

We will process this teaching more as we gather via zoom Sunday, July 19th at 10:30am!

“God whispers in our pleasure but shouts in our pain.” - C.S. Lewis.

In this podcast, we explore 1 Peter 4:12-19. Continuing with the main themes of 1 Peter, we explore what it means to joyfully suffer alongside our Suffering King.

There are three arenas of suffering for us to be aware of:

1. Suffering because the “world is not the way it is supposed to be.” We live in a world of sin, sickness, and death.

2. Suffering because of the consequences of our sin. Peter mentions this in 4:15.

3. Suffering because we follow Christ in a world hostile towards our King and His Kingdom. This is the main arena of suffering Peter is addressing. We focus on arenas 1 and 3 in the podcast.

A question we want you to pause and reflect on: Apart from the health precautions placed in our country by the government around our Sunday gatherings, what would persecution look like over the next year if we take seriously the call of Jesus and the cost of His Kingdom?

Make a list.

Suffering is inevitable, so the question is: what do we do with suffering?

When it comes to suffering are you a:

1. Avoider

2. Fixer

3. Pouter (Self-Pity)

Peter calls us to a fourth way, to joyfully go through suffering because the Suffering Servant goes with us.

But why do we embrace suffering?

Because we know the end of the Story. We continue to do good because we know Jesus will return and restore all things.

In this season, what is the Spirit inviting you to continue to do good in your workplace, neighborhood, MC, family, and beyond?

In this podcast, Chris Gonzalez unpacks 1 Peter 4:1-11.

In 1 Peter 4:1-2, we see Christ as the “example” or in the Latin term: “Christus Examplar” The other dominant image of Christ is of the victorious one over sin and death: “Christus Victor.” We need both images of Christ and his role in creation.

Which one do you tend to focus on at the expense of the other?

In 1 Peter 4:3-6, Peter tells these churches to embrace their new identity in light of the cultural norms they had practices for so long: debauchery, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, etc (1 Peter 4:3).

In this season, what are some cultural norms you need to set aside to embrace the creational norms of living in God’s kingdom?

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, Peter casts a vision for what this new way of living looks like with three descriptors: love, hospitality, and serving.

Over this next month, how can you embrace love, hospitality and serving even in the midst of the global pandemic?