Lesson Notes:  1 Peter  2:18-25 (NIV based)

TITLE:  Enduring Unjust Suffering

READ:  1 Peter 2:18-25, with vv.12-17 for context

INTRO:  Is living an easy trouble-free life what God wants for every believer?

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To what extent does God want a believer to respect his or her employer or work supervisors?  Why?  Analyze the reasoning God presents here for His expectations.
v.18
- - "harsh" = Strong's #4646 "warped, i.e. winding; perverse".
- - Employees are directed to submit to their employers with all respect - even when the employer does not deserve it; i.e. submit to and endure their harshness.
v.19
- - God sees your unjust suffering for godly righteousness.
- - God commends that kind of suffering, i.e. He finds significant lasting value in it.
v.20
- - "endure" = Strong's #5278 "patiently endure; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere"; to remain under; to bear up under.
- - God finds significant lasting value in staying under the unjust suffering and not escaping it.

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v.21 
To what are we believers "called"?  Why?  Analyze the reasoning God presents here for this expectation.
- - Enduring prolonged unjust suffering for righteousness fulfills the calling from God to suffer unjustly like Christ suffered for you; you are to follow Christ’s example when He was crucified, and follow in His steps, so to speak.

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In verses 22-24, what are the cited features of Christ's example?  How does each cited feature demonstrate how to 'show proper respect' to everyone (v.17), even when under harsh treatment (v.18)?  And what applications can be drawn from each feature, for us to put into practice?
v.22 
- - Following in Christ’s steps involves making conscious deliberate choices not to respond by sinning in actions or words; this is 'showing proper respect' in the form of submission to God (the Father).
v.23
- - "hurled their insults at him" = Strong's #3058 "being reviled; to reproach, i.e. vilify"; ‘vilify’ = (AHD) “to make vicious and defamatory statements about”; to express disapproval of, criticism of; to bring shame upon; disgrace; rebuke; ‘defamatory’ = (AHD) "to damage the reputation, character, or good name of by ‘slander’ (“false injurious statements”) or ‘libel’ (“statement presented to the public”)”.
- - Expect to be insulted.
- - Expect to suffer persecution.
- - "retaliate" = Strong's #0486 "to rail in reply"; ‘rail’ = (AHD) “to express objections or criticisms in bitter, harsh, or abusive language”.
- - Do not retaliate or threaten - no ultimatums or cutting comments; this is 'showing proper respect' in the form of love for one's neighbor, fellow humans.
- - "entrusted" = Strong's #3860 "to surrender, i.e. yield up, entrust, transmit".
- - Trust God to bring relief and justice - eventually some day; this is 'showing proper respect' in the form of trustful submission to God.
v.24
- - The practical course of action is to die to your own sins and to live for righteousness in your life - to the maximum.
- - "healed" - Our sinful state has been cured and our relationship to God established.
- - Expect that you will have to endure suffering for the sins of others and for their benefit, perhaps by your wounds from and for them to bring healing to others; this is 'showing proper respect' in the form of self-sacrificing love for one's neighbor.
v.25
- - Remember that you were once one of them - like your abusers; you are capable of behaving just like they do.
- - "astray" = Strong's # 4105 "wandering; to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)".
- - Follow the way of the Shepherd.
- - Wait patiently for others to turn to the Lord like you did.

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vv.24-25
What benefits did we believers receive as a result of Christ 'living as a servant of God' (the Father) (v.16), 'submitting Himself to every authority instituted among men' (v.13), enduring unjust suffering (v.19), and all the while 'showing proper respect to everyone' (v.17), even during severe suffering (v.18)?

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BIG IDEA:  God has called each believer to at times endure prolonged unjust hurtful or even painful suffering for righteousness, without retaliating.

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MAIN POINT:  What would you say is the main point in these verses?

IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS:  What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?

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APPLICATIONS:  What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses? 

PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS:  From these verses, what do you think God wants you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life?  How are you going to do that?

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Works Cited:
The American Heritage Dictionary. 3rd ed., ver. 3.6a (CD-ROM). Cambridge, MA: SoftKey International Inc., 1994.

Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.

“Strong's Greek Dictionary.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
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Copyright © 2014 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
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File name: 1Peter2_18-25-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated:  December 23, 2016