These small group studies of 1 Peter 5:6-13 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
1 Peter 5:6-13 Inductive Bible Study – Be Humble And Resist The Devil
1 Peter 5 Bible Study Video
1 Peter 5 Podcast
Outline
I. Leading with humility and service (1-5)
II. Submit to God and resist the devil (6-11)
III. Closing farewell (12-14)
II. Submit to God and resist the devil (6-11)
Discussion Questions
• What is the therefore there for?
• What are some ways you can humble yourselves?
• What does it mean to humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God?
• In what ways might God exalt us if we humble ourselves?
• Can you think of any examples in the Bible of people who humbled themselves and God exalted them?
• Is verse 7 a command or a suggestion?
• What is the reason given for why we should cast our cares on God?
• Are there any worries you have that you need to take to God?
• List several ways you can be on the alert against temptation/Satan.
• Can you give any examples from Scripture of people Satan tried to “devour”? Which ones were successful? Which ones were unsuccessful? Why?
• In what specific ways was Satan trying to devour/tempt the saints to whom Peter was writing?
• What are the most important keys to avoid being devoured by Satan?
• What is waiting for us if we remain faithful?
• What will God do for us? What responsibility do we have in receiving these things?
Verses on Humility
James 4:6 – But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Matthew 23:12 – For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Verses on Worry
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Verses on Resisting Temptation
Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Verse 6 is connected to verse 5. Because God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble, we should humble ourselves. The logic is simple. We don’t want to find ourselves being opposed by God. That is the worst possible situation for us. We need to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. God is the Almighty one. He is the King, the Creator. We should humble ourselves under Him.
Psalms 2:2-4 – The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
This seems like basic common sense. But many people are like the proud ones in Psalms 2. They refuse to submit themselves to God.
Why do people not want to submit themselves to God? They want their own way. They think they know better than God. What is true humility? Humility is viewing ourselves in the proper way, looking at ourselves through God’s eyes. It is also considering others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). It is realizing that we are the created, that we are limited in knowledge and power, and that we are sinners in need of a Savior. It is not overvaluing ourselves or our own opinions.
At the same time, humility doesn’t mean that we go around with a “woe is me” attitude or act pitiful all the time. Neither does it mean that we go around slumped over with a bad posture and our eyes looking at the ground without any confidence. Humility is not weakness. Jesus was humble, but He was not at all weak.
2. If we humble ourselves, God will exalt us. For some this happens on earth (Joseph, Daniel, David). For others it may occur in heaven (Jonathan). Regardless, we know that God is watching us. We know that God is pleased if we humble ourselves. We know that sooner or later He will reward humility.
Throughout the book of 1 Peter, we have learned that it is better to please God than man. Here is another example of it. God is the only one who truly has the power to exalt people, because He is the one with the highest position and with the authority to say who is exalted. For example, on this earth people may exalt someone (such as Darwin, or Marx, or Steve Jobs). But God has the final say. And He may put those whom the world exalts to the highest place in the lowest, worst parts of hell.
3. Here we are actually commanded to cast our anxiety on Him. The reason given is that He cares for us. Think about that thought for a minute. The Creator of universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords cares deeply about us as individuals. He showed it through Christ’s death on the cross. God is not an impersonal force. He is not a distant observer. He is watching us closely. He has plans for us. He wants the very best for us, just like a loving parent wants the best for their children. But even the best earthly parents may not always know what is best for their children. Even if they do, they may not have the power to bring it about. But God knows what is best for us and He can make it happen. What a friend we have in Jesus!
Application: Probably most of us are familiar with 1 Peter 5:7 already.
1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
We know this truth, but the challenge comes in doing as Scripture commands. Do you obey this admonition every time? Unfortunately, I don’t either. Some people worry more than others, but we all worry from time to time. Is this sin?
Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
We are commanded not to worry and therefore worry is sin. What are some areas that tempt you to worry? What should you do when you begin to worry about them? What are some things we can do to stop worrying in situations like this?
4. Verse 8 – Do you believe the devil is doing this? I do. Do you believe that he also sends his demons to run around the earth like his little emissaries? I do. Do you believe that they have strategies and well-though-out schemes for ensnaring Christians? I do. If you don’t, read the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, as it paints a picture of how demons may scheme to ensnare Christians. How can we be alert?
A. We should know ourselves well. That means we should know our weaknesses and areas where we are more easily tempted.
Then, we need to make sure we stay far away from the temptations that might ensnare us.
B. Make no opportunity for the flesh. Two is better than one. If we are going to be a in a situation that could be a temptation, take along another believer. For example, even if as a guy you are going to share the gospel with a girl, take along another Christian so that there are three together instead of two. This can limit temptation.
C. Part of being alert is having an escape plan ready to go. That means we know what we are going to do if temptation comes. For me, whenever I fly or get on a bus I look around and have a plan as to what I will do if the worst happens. If that crash happens, at least I have a plan, which will cut down reaction time and indecision. We should also prepare to face temptations.
When you face temptation, what will you do? Some things could include:
• Run.
• Pray.
• Call another Christian for help and encouragement.
• Read Scripture.
A lion is a very dangerous creature. Wild animal trainers try every trick in the book to tame them. Still, we sometimes read stories in the news about lion tamers who were killed by lions. Most of the time, it is because for a moment, trainers became distracted and the lions saw the opportunity to attack. Let us not give Satan the same opportunity.
5. Resist him, firm in your faith. Don’t give in. Don’t give up. We have the greatest lion tamer who ever lived (Christ) who wants to help us have the victory. So do not depend on your own strength. Depend on Him. Faith is the victory. We must also have an iron will of determination that we will not give in to temptation.
6. Verse 9b – Satan wanted to use these trials in the life of the believers Peter was writing to, to get them off the path of righteousness and into sin. Some did turn away from God because of the persecution. Satan wanted them to give up, to complain, to grow bitter, to think it wasn’t worth it. His goal was to harm their Christian witness and their own spiritual life. But Peter wanted them to know that their situation wasn’t unique. Other Christians throughout the world were suffering too.
7. God is faithful. See verse 10. God wanted each one to share in His eternal glory. Every believer who got through the trials successfully would be exalted/rewarded by God. He Himself would perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish them. Sounds pretty good to me! What is our job? Submit to Him. Humble ourselves. Open ourselves up to Him. Become the soft clay in His hands and allow Him to mold us and shape us however He wants to.
III. Closing farewell (12-14)
Discussion Questions
• What does verse 12 mean: “through Silvanus… I have written to you…”?
• Knowing that what we have learned in this book is true, how should we react to it? What is another word for “stand firm in it?”
• Who is Mark? What relationship did he have with Peter?
Cross-References
2 Timothy 4:11 – Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Many scholars believe that Silvanus is Silas, Paul’s travelling companion. This is certainly possible, because the root word in Greek basically the same.
2. Silvanus probably transcribed the letter for Peter and may also have delivered it for him.
3. The things in this book are true. Because they are true, we must obey! This is, in fact, the basis for our obedience. If the Bible is not true, there is no reason to obey. If it is true, and it is, there is every reason to obey it.
4. She who is in Babylon – As mentioned in the first lesson on this book, Babylon is likely a code word for Rome. Since the believers in Rome were facing persecution, Peter didn’t want to mention the word in his book so that they wouldn’t draw more attention. This would mean that Peter was in or near Rome at the time of writing this letter.
5. Mark – Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark. He accompanied Paul on some parts of his missionary journeys. For a while, he abandoned Paul and Paul didn’t want to take him again. Barnabas took him back and Mark was faithful again for the remainder of his life.
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I love this, may God continually to be with you in Jesus name
When I am reminded about the Paul-Mark-Barnabas incident, I always remember how grace and support is essential. if Barnabas gave up on Mark we wouldn’t have the gospel of Mark. And mind you, the gospel of Mark is the easiest gospel for beginners who want to read the Bible.