1 Peter - Following Jesus Sample

When unbelievers give Christians a tough time, church leaders tend to get the worst of it. And authority always brings its own pressures and temptations too.

Believers must ‘continue to do good’ (4:19), despite their suffering. Peter will tell his friends how this should work out in practice and he begins with leaders.

Peter appeals to ‘the elders among you’ (v. 1). This is a serious call. Senior Christians in the congregation must step up and take responsibility. They need to be willing to lead, despite the flack.

Peter begins by pointing them to his own experience of leadership.

• What does Peter say about himself, about his own experience and about his hope for the future (v. 1)?

Peter calls himself ‘a fellow elder’. Of course Peter is not only an elder; he is also an apostle. But Peter’s message here to these church leaders seems to be: I walk where you walk; I know how tough it is to lead and care for God’s people; I understand. Peter also calls himself ‘a witness of Christ’s sufferings’. Godly leadership has always involved suffering. Christ our leader suffered before entering glory – Peter knew that first-hand. Christ’s leaders should not expect it to be any different for them. But Peter is also expecting to ‘share in the glory to be revealed’. Peter does not want these elders to forget what will follow their sufferings. Christian leadership will not bring honour and glory now, but glory is coming.

• Now Peter turns to address the elders directly. What does he call on them to do (v. 2)?

‘… “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls’ (2:25). Peter has pictured Christians as a flock of sheep. The Lord is now our leader and protector.

But these human elders are also to shepherd this flock. They are to watch over and care for these ‘sheep’. Yet those under their care do not belong to them; this is ‘God’s flock’ (v. 2). This fact colours everything elders do. Elders must keep the Lord’s precious ones safe until he comes (5:4). So, elders, shepherd these ‘sheep’. Don’t lose even one. Step up to the plate! This really matters.

Pray

Pray the leaders in your church would shepherd God’s flock courageously and faithfully through every suffering and difficulty.