Peter's Leadership Development (TT) #2

LESSONS IMPRINTED ON PETER’S HEART

Each of these lessons Peter observed in Jesus’ life. Through the power of real life, observation and verbally sharing, Jesus imprinted these lessons on Peter’s heart. We know this by what Peter wrote in the two books he penned. Jesus was the master teacher and Peter learned from the best. These are just some of the examples portrayed and taught by Jesus. Add more as they come to mind.

A. Serving others – I Peter 2:13-18, 3:1-12 (2:13-17) Submit to authorities. Be the example again. By doing good, you silence ignorant talk of the foolish! Live as God’s servants, using your freedom in Christ to respect, submit and serve when you are called upon. We must be the examples for the Body if we are to be spiritual leaders. Peter learned this by watching Jesus (the coin out of the fish’s mouth to pay the tax). He saw Jesus serve all levels of society and love all levels of society. We are to observe our older, wiser saints and hopefully see how to live. (2:18-25; Hebrews 5:7-8) Again, Peter saw this firsthand with Jesus. When we suffer for doing wrong, that is to be expected; that is a no-brainer. What is commendable and following the example of Jesus is when you are doing good, when you have done nothing wrong, that you bear the pain of injustice, suffering to be faithful and an example for Christ. You are following the footsteps of Jesus because of the enormous injustice He suffered because of His love of us. Now that is spiritual leadership and a lesson Peter lived, especially in the book of Acts. This passage can parallel 1:6-9. Jesus is glorified in our sufferings for Him. What is key also is Jesus suffered silently – He did not say He was unfairly accused. (3:1-7). Husbands and wives are to serve (submit) to each other, respecting each other, winning the partner over because of the love and gentle care each shows. Women are to be modest, allowing their natural inner beauty to be lived out. Not loving your wife properly affects your relationship with God. (3:8-12) Live in harmony, doing good, love, be sympathetic, compassionate, humble. Don’t repay evil with evil, but with blessing. This is difficult to do because you want to get even. You have been unfairly treated and it is time to make things right. People are watching leaders, how they respond to injustice. What great opportunities to portray Christ (2:18-25). Pray for courage and strength to be able to handle these times

1. How did Jesus submit to authority while on earth? Matthew 17:24-27; (Luke 20:20-26); Luke 16:1-15; Luke 22:24-27.

2. What lessons could Peter have learned when Jesus washed the apostles’ feet? (John 13:1-17) Teacher is not more important than the student; if you want to be the leader, you need to serve others; practice what you tell others.

3. How did Jesus show respect to everyone, including those who opposed Him? (John 4; John 8:1-12; Luke 17:11-19; John 18:2-12; Matthew 7:1-6, 43-47).

4. What are practical ways to live as servants of God?

5. In what ways did Jesus teach Peter about husbands and wives respecting each other? Matthew 5:27-32, 7:1-6; John 8:1-11; Matthew 19:3-12; (Mark 10:2-12).

6. How did Jesus illustrate or teach about living in harmony and love and being a blessing (3:8-12)? John 13:34-35; Matthew 5:38-48, 7:1-6;

(Luke 6:27-42) His death, Luke 7:36-50.

B. Character Development 2 Peter 1:5-11 - Something Peter painfully at times experienced. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, spiritual transformation occurs (Acts 1-3 for Peter). To your faith add doing well, or excellently. To that add knowledge of the word of Jesus, of being discipled. As you grow in knowledge, pursue self-control because knowledge can puff you up. Keep it under reins. With self-control go after perseverance, for the Christian life is a marathon race. After that, allow God to develop the finer points of you through being godly. It is the finer points that make you different from other believers. Finally, be kind to all people, be ministers of reconciliation. Be the leaders there because the pinnacle is love. Pursuing love is most important because people will know we are His disciples, and without love, everything else is hollow! Love distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. Only in Christ can we truly love even our enemies. If we pursue these attributes or spiritual qualities, we will have spiritual growth in volume, and our faith and who we are in Him will never be questioned. Peter followed this progression – we see the results.

How did Jesus teach the following as Peter observed and listened?

1. Faith – Matthew 8:5-13, 18-22; 15:21-28 (Mark 7:24-30); 17:14-21;

Mark 2:1-12, 5:21-43; Luke 11:1-4, 12:12-34, 21:1-4.

2. Goodness (virtue, do things well) (How Jesus handled/dealt with people)

John 8:1-4 (Luke 7:36-50); John 5:19-23; Matthew 25:14-30;

Luke 14:25-35; John 21:15-22.

3. Knowledge – Matthew 10:11-23; 19:16-26; Luke 2:41-52, 4:14-21,

16:1-9; John 15:1-8, 9-17, 18-27.

4. Self-control – John 2:13-25; Matthew 21:12-17, 23; Luke 5:1-11, 9:10-17,

22:24-27, 31-38; John 18:4-11; Matthew 16:24-28.

5. Perseverance – Matthew 6:7-12; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 14:25-35;

Mark 7:24-30; Luke 18:1-8; John 21:15-22.

6. Godliness – Matthew 5:23-24, 7:1-6, 18:21-35, 20:20-28 (Luke 18:31-34) Luke 10:38-42, 18:9-14.

7. Brotherly Kindness – Matthew 6:1-4, 8:1-4, 20:29-34; John 13:1-17;

Mark 2:40-42; Luke 10:25-37.

8. Love – John 4:1-26, 39-41; Matthew 5:43-47, 20:20-28 (Mark 10:46-52)

Matthew 22:34-40 (Luke 20:20-40); His crucifixion – Matthew 27:27-56 (Mark 15:20-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37) Luke 15; John 8:1-11; John 11:1-44.

C. Mentoring - I Peter 5:1-11 - (5:1-4) Those who shepherd on earth have an accountability to the Good Shepherd for if you shepherd well, you will receive the crown of glory. Peter is speaking to the older leaders. Be good caretakers, guides, influencers of the people of whom you are in charge. Serve, submit to your people, don’t be greedy, don’t use authority/position as a ramrod or be oppressive (Luke 22:24-26; Phil 2:3-4). Here again, Peter saw Jesus live out how to lead people, to love and serve them. Jesus’ examples gave insight to Peter. It was one thing for Jesus to tell the apostles, it was another to live it out in their presence. Even calling himself a “fellow elder” didn’t put himself above others. He wasn’t the boss, rather had learned some wise things and passed them on.

(5:5-7) Mentoring right here to the younger men - Submit and serve under older wiser men. Humbly wait for God to build and lift you up. Don’t get uptight or anxious over it. God knows the situations, and He knows you. God will keep proud people down, but build up humble people. Wear humility like it was clothing. Pursue that calling. What is interesting is the heavy dose of humility teaching given to the younger generation. OT example of humbleness was Joshua with Moses, and staying under his leadership for 40+ years! We get nervous if God doesn’t take care of our boss right away, if he has been unfair to us.

(5:8-11) Continues with the young – be self-controlled and alert. Satan is ready and waiting to destroy you! Resist him with humility, standing firm in your faith, your beliefs, because this is happening all over the world. Suffering for good is not unusual. After suffering a bit, God will restore, make you newer (develop you) and help you to be strong.

1. In what ways did Jesus teach Peter about mentoring, or being discipled?

2. From verses 1-4, how did Jesus demonstrate the attitudes and attributes mentioned?

3. What connection do you see between verse 3 to be an example to the flock, and the talk Jesus had with Peter in John 21:15-21? Jesus told Peter to take care and spiritually feed those with whom Peter would be entrusted. Peter is emphasizing here to serve the people whom elders were responsible for.

4. Why should younger men submit to older men (verse 5)?

5. How did Jesus demonstrate humility with Peter as witness?

6. How was Jesus lifted up by God (Philippians 2)?

7. What passage talks about what verse 7 says? (Matthew 11:28-30)

8. What passages show Jesus teaching Peter about Satan? Luke 22:31-34; Matthew 26:36-46; Matthew 16:21-23.

9. How did Jesus teach Peter about suffering?

D. Suffering - I Peter 1:6-7, 18-19; 2:19-25; 3:13-18; 4:1-2, 12-19.

(v. 6-7) You will suffer trials and persecution (as Peter had). This refines your faith, purifies you so that your faith shines through and Jesus is glorified and honored. We are receiving the goal of our faith – salvation. In leadership we will suffer and are called to a lifestyle of submission and service to God, influencing those with whom God has entrusted us. Peter learned that walking with Jesus.

(2:18-25; [Hebrews 5:7-8]) Again, Peter saw this firsthand with Jesus. When we suffer for doing wrong, that is to be expected, that is a no-brainer. What is commendable and following the example of Jesus is when you are doing good, when you have done nothing wrong. That you bear the pain of injustice, suffering to be faithful and an example for Christ. You are following the footsteps of Jesus because of the enormous injustice He suffered because of His love for us. Now that is spiritual leadership and a lesson Peter lived, especially in the book of Acts. This passage can parallel 1:6-9. Jesus is glorified in our sufferings for Him. What is key also, is Jesus suffered silently - He did not say He was unfairly accused.

(3:13-22) Pursue good, holy lives. Be able to communicate why you are living the way you are. Do this humbly and respectfully. We have a hope no one else or religion offers. Keep a clear conscience so when people speak evil of you, maliciously, they will be ashamed of their slander. It goes back to 1:16 – Be holy. It is better to suffer for good than evil. Jesus was the example, and Peter refers to this a great deal – living holy lives and being willing to suffer for such, because of the example Jesus gave us. Peter saw Jesus suffering for being holy and good, righteous. Jesus was willing to do that for us, His enemies. That left an indelible mark on Peter (look at these writings). Jesus’ discipling of Peter prepared him for what lay ahead for Peter. Both what Jesus said and how He lived spoke volumes to Peter. Peter made many mistakes, but he developed in maturity and through the Holy Spirit became a great leader for Christ. He was willing to live holy and suffer for doing the Lord’s will.

(4:1-6) Suffering is a common theme in this book. Peter says we should be willing to suffer, just like Jesus physically did. Need to have that same attitude. By this willingness to suffer, Jesus pursued God’s will, which the unbelievers think is totally ridiculous! Peter learned suffering and living according to God’s will by spending time with Jesus. He didn’t know the lessons being taught to him at that time, but Jesus’ lifestyle spoke enormous volumes to Peter. Perhaps some of the prayers Jesus spoke were in regard to the apostles learning these life lessons that someday in the future would manifest themselves.

(4:12-19) Suffering is commonplace, or should potentially be, for a believer, if we are living according to God’s will. Judgment and cleansing need to begin in the house of God. If we suffer for good and for obedience to Christ, rejoice, for He will be revealed and you are blessed. Don’t get excited at all if you suffer for doing wrong. Only rejoice, be blessed for doing right and suffering those consequences! Peter was toward the end of his life and he knew what really counted – following the example of Jesus and being willing to do what is right even if you suffer for it.

1. Why did Peter spend a lot of his writing on suffering?

2. How are suffering and rejoicing connected (1:6-7)?

3. From 1:18-19, in what ways did Peter learn that Jesus was a lamb without blemish or defect?

4. Do you ever find yourself repeating or remembering things that people who influenced you said or did (I Peter 2:7; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11)?

5. As you read 2:19-25 and 3:13-18, what are some of the events in Jesus’ life that prompted Peter to write about Jesus’ sufferings this way?

6. Can you share a time when you suffered for doing something good? Does Peter have any experiences like this in his past (Acts 5:21-33, 40-41;

I Peter 4:12-19)?

7. What attitude is Peter referring to in 4:1-2? (Philippians 2:3-12)

8. Why represent Jesus well when we suffer?

9. How are suffering and holiness connected? (1:13-16; 2:11-12; 3:8-12)

10. When did Jesus talk about living holy lives? (Matthew 5)

11. What is the correlation (connection) between the cost of following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22) and living a life of holiness (I Peter 4:7-11; 2 Peter 3:11-14)?