Exiles: Week Fifteen

1 Peter 3:18-22

“[This] is as strange a text and as dark a saying as any in the New Testament, so that I am not yet sure what St. Peter intended.” - Martin Luther

  1. Peter prepares us to suffer well by reminding us that Christ also suffered.

  2. Peter prepares us to suffer well by reminding us that Christ is risen.

  3. Peter prepares us to suffer well by reminding us of Christ’s triumphal procession.

  4. Peter prepares us to suffer well by reminding us of our baptism.

  5. Peter prepares us to suffer well by reminding us of the heavenly realms.

“The waters of baptism, like the waters of the flood, demonstrate that destruction is at hand, but believers are rescued from these waters in that they are baptized with Christ, who has also emerged from the waters of death through his resurrection. Just as Noah was delivered through the stormy waters of the flood, believers have been saved through the stormy waters of baptism by virtue of Christ’s triumph over death.” - Tom Schreiner

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What event do these verses begin with, and what event do they end with (vv. 18, 22)?

  2. What did Jesus’ death achieve (v. 18)? How does this encourage us to stay faithful when we suffer

  3. How does knowing what Jesus did after his resurrection (v. 19) and where Jesus is now (v. 22) encourage us to stay faithful when we suffer?

  4. As we look back to our baptism, what are we meant to remember that we can look forward to? How does this encourage us to remain faithful when we suffer? How can you “use” your baptism the next time you are tempted to avoid suffering for doing what is good?