Some ideas

For passages like this week’s 1 Peter 2:13-25, it might be best to let the Word speak for itself. For example, work with members to do a word study on “submit” and its various forms of usage in the New Testament. Other words to focus on include the following:

Vs 13: “every authority”—Am I selective about which authority I demonstrate submission? Name the easy ones. Name the hard ones. What makes the hard ones, hard?

Vs 15: “ignorant talk”—possibly a reference back to “accuse you” in verse 12, or maybe it looks forward in 4:4b, which says “heap abuse on you”?

Vs 16: “free men”—We emphasize individual liberty in the USA. How does our focus on freedom conflict with God’s desire for us take part in a Christian fellowship? Technology advances allow us a strong measure of independence (little requirement to participate in fellowship), but is that in keeping with God’s will for us? How does our drive to be financially independent, healthy, comfortable, and entertained interfere with God’s desire to growth us up in spiritual maturity to become like Christ?

Vs 17: “fear God”—You could spend the whole lesson time investigating reverencing God. We are free from a civil perspective, but spiritually we are either slaves to God, or slaves to sin. Which is it in your case?

Vs 18-23: “suffer”—count the number of times the word or one of its forms is used. Dwell on its meaning and relate it to modern life in the USA.

Vs 24: The key verse possibly? There are wrong applications of “by his wounds you have been healed”. Case out the alternatives for members, and help them understand what Peter actually says in the original context.

Vs 25: “but now”—Choose to live by faith, not fear. Believe God’s promise and place your trust in God to do what he says he will do.