Lesson Notes:  1 Peter  5:5-6 (NIV based)

TITLE:  Submission To Authority With Humility
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READ:  1 Peter 5:5-6, with vv.4:19-5:4 for context

v.5 
(cf. Proverbs 3:34)
“In the same way” as what?
- - In the same way as elders are submissive to God. 
(vv.1-4)
- - We are all responsible to submit to those in authority over us and will give an account to God one day.

Why should young men be submissive to older men?
- - Generally, older men and elders have more experience, wisdom, understanding, discernment, spiritual maturity, and etc. than younger men have.
- - God has designed the authority structure this way.
- - Older men and elders deserve respect and are designated by God and the church to naturally be the leaders.
- - God values proper attitudes and behaviors in the church to maintain harmony, unity, progress, and etc.
- - From this passage, younger people need additional reminding to be submissive, and by implication may typically be more prone to be rebellious to authority over them.

Why mention “humility” here?
- - Humility is required for submission to occur with a proper godly attitude.
- - Humility should be a prevailing attitude in the church at all times.
- - Humility is necessary for the church to function properly and be healthy.
- - God will be working in and through the church if there is humility.
- - God will actually be opposing a church if pride is prevalent.
- - God will give blessings and undeserved favor (“grace”) to the church when humility is prevalent.

Does “humility” play a role in the use of one’s authority?
- - The phrase “all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” establishes that humility should not only characterize those people doing the submitting but also those people exerting the authority.

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v.6
Why do you suppose "under God's mighty hand" is mentioned here in this context of enduring suffering for the faith, submitting to authority, and humbling oneself?

How does “humility” play a role in submitting to God’s authority?
- - We are all told to humble ourselves before God.
- - Regardless of what authority we are under, we are to simultaneously be humble and submissive to both God’s authority and human authority over us.
- - Humility is required to submit to God properly.

“Lift you up” from what?  To what?
- - God will respond to one’s humility and with His mighty hand He will lift up that person in due time - perhaps to a position of authority or influence.
- - God will respond to one’s suffering for the faith and with His mighty hand He will lift up that person in due time.
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BIG IDEA:  Submission to authority with a humble attitude is commanded by God for all believers.

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MAIN POINT:  What would you say is the main point in these verses?

IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS:  What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?

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APPLICATIONS:  What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses? 

PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS:  From these verses, what do you think God wants you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life?  How are you going to do that?

- - Do you have a humbly submissive attitude and conduct toward those church leaders who are in authority over you?
- Or do you argue with them and refuse to go along with their appropriate and/or biblically-based leading?

- - Do you hold, use, and exert authority in a humble way - that is appropriate and pleases God?
- If granted confidentiality, what would your underlings say about how you use authority?

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Works Cited:
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright © 2014 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
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File name: 1Peter5_5-6-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated:  January 6, 2017