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Call to worship: Malachi 2:13b-16

Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Sermon Outline:

1. The Christian wife's cross: be subject to your own husband, 3:1-6
   • The mission of her willing submission, 3:1-2
   • The heart of her willing submission, 3:3-4
   • The example of her willing submission, 3:5-6
2. The Christian husband's care: live with your wife in an understanding way, 3:7
   1. His gentle work, 3:7a
   2. Motive one: her great worth, 3:7b-c
   3. Motive two: God's given warning, 3:7d

Prepare

Questions:

1. Read 1 Peter 3:1-7. It's a text rich with instruction about what it means to display the cross and care of Christ in marriage, as well as for aspects of biblical manhood and womanhood. Spend time in it, and come to be nourished further on the Lord's Day.
2. 2. In 1 Peter 3:1-2, what scenario does Peter describe for the Christian wife? What does he prescribe for her? What is her mission? How does she go about 'preaching'? Is her submission absolute? Why not?
3. 3. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, Peter addresses the Christian wife's heart. He addresses true beauty, out of which this gracious submission appears. How does Peter speak contrary to our culture? How does he, perhaps, reprove you, ladies, and us, men? Where does he turn our eyes for affirmation and beauty? How does he describe this beauty? Is a quiet gentleness beautiful to you? How does Peter seek to make it beautiful (think on other things he's called imperishable)? Does a quiet spirit imply total silence? Where does the Bible balance this (perhaps even in 3:7a)?
4. 4. In 1 Peter 3:5-6, Peter gives Christian wives an example of godly submission. Who is the specific example? Who is her husband? Was he a believer? Was he always a great husband? Still, how did Sarah characteristically respond to him? It was a fearful thing for her to follow the lead of the father of faith! How did she do it? How will all her daughters do it?
5. 5. In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter shifts his gaze to Christian husbands. Chief among the responsibilities he could list, what does he list? How does he continue to dignify the women/wife? What motives does Peter give for the Christian husband's gentle care for his wife in 3:7b-c? What motive does he give for it in 3:7d? Who is the husband's authority? To whom will he give account? How does this verse absolutely forbid the abuse of women/wives? What is a marriage rightly ordered intended to display (2:21-25)?