Adult Sabbath School Lesson Study Outlines

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Lesson 4: Social Relationships *


  1. Government

    1. Read 1 Peter 2:13-14. Peter makes a distinction between kings and governors. I've never lived under the authority of an earthly king, but I've worked with governors. What point is Peter making when he writes of kings and their governors? (He tells us to submit both to the king, as the supreme authority, and to those delegated to wield the king's authority.)

      1. What is the principal reason why we should submit to governmental authority? ("For the Lord's sake." This has to do with God's reputation.)

        1. What is the secondary reason we should submit to governmental authority? (It can "punish those who do wrong and ... commend those who do right.")

    2. Read 1 Peter 2:15. Peter assumes that when we submit to the authority of the government that we are "doing good." Is that true? What about the Roman government of Peter's time? What about the authority that told the disciples not to preach and worked to crucify Jesus?

      1. What does Peter say is the goal of submitting? (To "silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.")



      1. Let's explore this a bit more for the United States. Who is the "king" here? Is it the President or is it you? (The authority, according to the U.S. Constitution, resides in the people. It is the people who decide who will be their president and their governors. Does that difference mean that "submit" to "every authority" has a different meaning here?

      2. Let's talk about authority and "doing good." In the United States abortion and same sex marriage are legal. Taking the life of another to benefit you is what I call the "anti-gospel." Same sex marriage is not only specifically condemned by the Bible ( Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-28), it is contrary to the creation plan for marriage. Should we say that we are the "authority" and we should fight against what is legal, or should we submit to the government's decision?

    4. Read 1 Peter 2:16. Notice that Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:15 about "doing good" and here writes about our "freedom" being "a cover-up for evil."

      1. What "freedom" does he mean? (Following the law of the land.)




      1. Let me ask Peter, and you can answer for him, are you showing "respect" by referring to "the ignorant talk of foolish men" ( 1 Peter 2:15)?

  2. Employer

    1. Read 1 Peter 2:18. Since I'm doubtful that anyone reading this lesson is an actual slave, how would you apply this lesson to your employer?


    2. Read 1 Peter 2:19. Have you been treated unjustly at work? Why does Peter say it is "commendable" to endure unjust suffering? (It has to do with being "conscious of God.")







  3. Spouse


      1. What do you think it means to "be submissive?"

    2. Let's skip down to 1 Peter 3:8. What is Peter's universal advice to all believers? (Live in harmony, be sympathetic, compassionate and humble.)



      3. Read Ephesians 5:33. What attitude does Paul tell a husband he should have toward his wife? (He should love her as he loves himself.)

        1. Notice that Paul tells wives to "respect" their husbands. How important is that in a marriage?


      1. What is on the line for a husband who mistreats his wife? (His communications with God are "hindered.")




    6. Friend, do you notice a pattern in Peter's advice? That pattern is to have an attitude of respect and submission toward authority. Rebels are headed for trouble. Will you re-examine your attitudes today?

  4. Next week: Living for God.

© 2019 Bruce N. Cameron, J.D.
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