1 Peter 5 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter Five

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To examine the duties of elders, in their role as shepherds (pastors)
   and overseers (bishops)

2) To note the importance of submission and humility in our relation to
   elders, one another, and God

3) To consider how we might best counter our adversary, the devil

4) To glean how Peter sought to encourage his brethren in their
   suffering

SUMMARY

The final chapter contains charges to elders and their respective
flocks.  As a fellow elder, Peter commands elders to shepherd the flock
of God among them, serving as overseers.  Doing so willingly and
eagerly, they were to serve as examples to the flock. The younger
members of the flock are then commanded to submit to their elders and to
one another, with humility (1-5).

They were to also humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and
cast their cares upon Him, trusting that He would exalt them in due time
because He cares for them.  Since their adversary the devil walks about
like a lion seeking to devour them, they are to be sober and vigilant,
resisting him steadfast in the faith.  They can take courage in knowing
that other brethren are likewise suffering (6-9).

The epistle draws to a close, first with a prayer that God will
eventually perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them.  Mention is
made of Silvanus, and Peter's purpose in writing.  Greetings are sent by
"she who is in Babylon" and "Mark, my son".  Finally, a command to greet
one another with a kiss of love is given, along with a prayer for peace
to all who are in Christ Jesus (10-14).

OUTLINE

I. THE DUTIES OF SHEPHERDS AND THE FLOCK (1-5)

   A. THE ELDERS' DUTIES AS SHEPHERDS (1-4)
      1. As exhorted by a fellow elder
         a. A witness of the sufferings of Christ
         b. A partaker of the glory that will be revealed
      2. To shepherd the flock of God among them
         a. Serving as overseers
            1) Not be compulsion but willingly
            2) Not for dishonest gain but eagerly
            3) Not as lords but as examples
         b. So when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the
            unfading crown of glory

   B. THE YOUNGERS' DUTIES AS THE FLOCK (5)
      1. Submit yourselves
         a. To your elders
         b. To one another
      3. Clothe yourselves with humility
         a. For God resists the proud
         b. For God gives grace to the humble

II. THE DUTIES TO GOD AND SATAN (6-9)

   A. DUTIES REGARDING GOD (6-7)
      1. Humble yourselves under His mighty hand, that He may exalt you
         in due time
      2. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

   B. DUTIES REGARDING SATAN (8-9)
      1. Be sober and vigilant of your adversary
         a. The devil walks about like a roaring lion
         b. The devil seeks whom he may devour
      2. Resist your adversary
         a. Remaining steadfast in the faith
         b. Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by brethren
            in the world

III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (10-14)

   A. CLOSING PRAYER (10-11)
      1. May the God of all grace perfect, establish, strengthen, and
         settle you
         a. Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus
         b. After you have suffered a while
      2. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen

   B. CLOSING GREETINGS (12-14)
      1. Peter has written to them briefly
         a. By Silvanus, a faithful brother
         b. Exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God
            in which they stand
      2. Greetings from:
         a. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you
         b. Mark, his son
      3. Greet one another with a kiss of love
      4. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The duties of shepherds and the flock (1-5)
   - The duties to God and Satan (6-9)
   - Concluding remarks (10-14)

2) How does Peter identify himself as he exhorts the elders? (1)
   - As a fellow elder
   - As a witness of the sufferings of Christ
   - As a partaker of the glory that will be revealed

3) What is the duty of the elders? (2)
   - To shepherd the flock of God among them

4) How were they to serve as elders? (3-4)
   - As overseers
   - Not by compulsion, but willingly
   - Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly
   - Not as lords, but as examples to the flock

5) What reward can elders look forward to when the Chief Shepherd
   appears? (5)
   - The crown of glory that does not fade away

6) What twofold duty is enjoined upon those who are younger? (5)
   - To submit to the elders and to one another
   - To be clothed with humility

7) What were they commanded to do in relation to God? (6-7)
   - Humble themselves under the mighty hand of God
   - Cast all their care upon Him

8) Why were they to do this? (6-7)
   - That God might exalt them in due time
   - Because He cares for them

9) Who is their adversary?  What is he doing? (8)
   - The devil; walking about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour

10) What should they do in regards to their adversary? (8-9)
   - Be sober, be vigilant
   - Resist him, steadfast in the faith

11) What should encourage them in their suffering? (9-10)
   - Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by their brethren
     in the world
   - That after they have suffered a while, God will perfect, establish,
     strengthen and settle them

12) By whom has Peter penned this epistle? (12)
   - Silvanus, a faithful brother

13) What has been Peter's purpose in writing this epistle? (12)
   - To exhort and testify that this is the true grace of God in which
     they stand

14) Who sends them greetings? (13)
   - She who is in Babylon, elect together with them
   - Mark, his son

15) What final charge does Peter give?  What final prayer? (14)
   - Greet one another with a kiss of love
   - Peace to all who are in Christ Jesus
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