Stand Strong

Stand Strong
  • Dan Haakenson
  • Mar 14, 2010
  • Series: Stand Strong
Further Reflection, Discussion, and Application

Read 1 Peter 5:8-14

  1. How do you normally communicate final instructions (to a babysitter, to kids, at work, in letter)?  How do you think Peter is approaching these final comments of this letter?
  2. What do you think of as living “self-controlled” (5:8)?  How does this section compare to Peter’s other times of giving this instruction (1:13; 4:7)?  Taking all three of these commands to be self-controlled, what do you think that means or looks like for you?
  3. Why would Peter mention “your enemy the devil” (5:8)? C. S. Lewis said that there are two equal and opposite errors regarding the devil – to disregard him and his existence or to give excessive and unhealthy attention to him; which are you more prone to and why? How does this section in 1 Peter correct each of those errors?
  4. How can you / we “resist him” (the devil, 5:9)? Compare this section of 1 Peter to James 4:7, 8. From these passages, what guidance can you follow in resisting the schemes of the enemy (also see Eph 6:10-20 and other passages)?
  5. What does it mean to “stand firm in the faith” (5:9)? Later we are told to “stand fast” in the grace of God (5:12); how are these two similar or different?
  6. How do verses 10 and 11 bolster your confidence in standing strong?  Where is our hope and strength, according to Peter (see the similarity between how the letter begins in 1:3f and how it ends in 5:10-12)?
  7. What do you make of the closing greeting and mention of care between Christ followers across geographical lines?  Who are the people(s) that you are concerned about that are far from us geographically?  Is there a particular reason why you have this concern for these people and what are you doing about it?
  8. As you consider back to the overall message of 1 Peter, what are the key lessons and challenges and encouragements to you personally?
  9. From the summary to the whole book in 5:12, where is God inviting you to stand strong in His grace?  What will that mean / look like for you to do so?

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