LIVING HOPE

“Unfading Beauty and Heirs of Life”

Pastor Duane Cross | 11.04.12

“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:1-7(NIV)

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

I. Unfading Beauty.

II. Honor Your Wife.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you one example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

UNFADING BEAUTY AND HEIRS OF LIFE

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of November 4

1 Peter 3:1-7 | Pastor Duane Cross

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

How do typical men’s and women’s magazines portray beauty and success? Explain.

What does “submission” look like in your marriage (if married)? Your parent’s marriage? Your grandparents’s marriage?

A Closer Look

Why does Peter work within (instead of directly oppose) the fallen social structures of the Roman Empire (see 2:13-17), slavery (see 2:18-22) and patriarchy (see 3:1-7)?

Read 3:1-2. One of the primary ways Christianity spread in the first three centuries of the church was by Christian women “winning over” their non-Christian husbands. What were these women like? What was the evangelistic benefit to submission?

What does it mean to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21) in marriage? How does mutual submission play out in 1 Corinthians 7:1-4?

Why is the inner life a higher priority than the outer appearance? (for both men and women)? How does Peter define true beauty? (3:4)

What does Peter mean when he says women are the “weaker partner” and “heirs of the gracious gift of life”?

Digging Deeper

One of the aims of marriage is for spouses to pray together and do so effectively (3:7). What does this or can this look like in your marriage?

Brainstorm some practical ways you can submit to your spouse or close friends by placing their interests about your own?

Women - how can you foster true godly beauty and love your husbands? Men - how can you be considerate of your wives and treat them as your equal?