1. Peter Week 7 Slaves and Suffering

This week Elisabeth Kennedy shares from 1 Peter 2:18-25. 

There is some group work included in this study. If you want to follow along, please see the following questions and Bible verses.  

1. Read some of the references where the Bible addresses the perspective of slave masters. How did these verses encourage masters to view their slaves?

Job 31:13-15 If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves, when they brought a complaint against me; ¹⁴what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? ¹⁵Did not he who made me in the womb make them? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

Philemon 1:10-12, 15-16 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. … ¹⁵Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, ¹⁶no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 15:12-15 If a member of your community, whether a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and works for you six years, in the seventh year you shall set that person free. ¹³And when you send a male slave out from you a free person, you shall not send him out empty-handed. ¹⁴Provide liberally out of your flock, your threshing floor, and your wine press, thus giving to him some of the bounty with which the LORD your God has blessed you. ¹⁵Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; for this reason I lay this command upon you today.

1. Read the references in 1 Peter to God “calling” us. In each reference, identify what God is calling us out of, and what God is calling us into.

1:15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct

2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

2:20-21 But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

1. Read about Jesus’ response to the unjust use of power against him in the references below. Describe Jesus’ behaviors and attitude in these situations.

Matt. 26:39 …he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

Matt. 26:49-54 [Judas] came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. ⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”

Luke 24:49-51 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.

John 18:19-23 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ²⁰Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. ²¹Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” ²²When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” ²³Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?”

Matt. 27:12-14 …when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. ¹³Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” ¹⁴But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Luke 23:33-34 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

1. Read the Song of the Servant as translated from the Septuagint (the Greek text of the Old Testament that 1 Peter is quoting). Identify the echoes from Isaiah that you find in 1 Peter.

Isaiah 53:4-9

⁴He bears our sins, and is pained for us: 

yet we accounted him to be in trouble, and in suffering, and in affliction.

⁵ But he was wounded on account of our sins, and was bruised because of our iniquities: 

the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his bruises we were healed.

⁶ All we as sheep have gone astray; every one has gone astray in his way; 

and the Lord gave him up for our sins.

⁷ And he, because of his affliction, opens not his mouth: 

he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is dumb, 

so he opens not his mouth.

⁸ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: who shall declare his generation? 

for his life is taken away from the earth: 

because of the iniquities of my people he was led to death.

⁹ And I will give the wicked for his burial, and the rich for his death; 

for he practiced no iniquity, nor craft with his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22-25

²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; 

but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, 

so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, 

but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.