An overview for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of I Peter 3:1-12, for Sunday March 30, 2025, with the title, “Relationships.” A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:
INTRODUCTION:
In 1959 a question had arisen within Magdalene college in England, where C.S. Lewis taught, about dismissing their librarian, who had the reputation of being a great bore. Lewis wrote to plead for his retention. He acknowledged that Whiteley’s conversation fatigued and dejected him more than that of anyone else he knew. Yet Lewis thought it “dishonourable” to turn him out because of his “boringness” when he provided good service. He wrote to one of the authorities: “I feel v(ery) Strongly that to suffer bores patiently — ’gladly’ may be impossible — is a plain duty, and that it is even plainer when we owe them some gratitude.” To Hooper, Lewis added, “Let us not forget that Our Lord might well have said ‘As ye have done it unto one of the least of these my bores, ye have done it unto me.”” Lewis biographer Harry Poe concluded from all this: “The Christian faith was not merely true for Lewis; it made a difference in how he treated people.” (Harry Lee Poe, The Completion of C.S. Lewis, pp. 339-340)
You might use one or both of these discussion questions that spring off of that story:
??? Did your faith in Christ make a difference in the way you treated someone this past week? Anyone want to share an example???
??? What are some of the relationships that our Christian faith should make a difference in, today???
(Of course the answers could be endless: work relationships, school relationships, family relationships, relationships with service people, post people — everyone we meet. You might make sure your group does not forget the marriage relationship!)
Then add:
This morning in I Peter 3:1-12, we’re going to see how Peter applies the fact that some of our specific relationships should be different, because of our faith in Christ.
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