“Come Get Your Chicken” — 1 Peter 2:13–25

Ice Breaker: “The Rule I Never Understood”

What is a rule or authority you had growing up—at home, school, work, or somewhere else—that you thought made absolutely no sense at the time? Did you follow it, question it, or find a creative way around it?

Read these passages together:

1 Peter 2:13–25, 2 Corinthians 5:10

 Discussion Questions

1. Peter tells believers to submit to human authority “for the Lord’s sake.” How does that phrase change the way we think about submission? Who are we ultimately submitting to?
2. How might growing in our trust of God change the way we respond to a boss, government leader, parent, teacher, church leader, or another authority we disagree with?
3. For the Mission — vv. 13–15: Peter connects doing good with our witness to the world. How can the way Christians respond to authority either strengthen or damage our ability to point people to Jesus?
4. Verse 16 says we are free, yet we are also “God’s servants.” What is the difference between biblical freedom and an attitude of “Nobody can tell me what to do”? How should belonging to Jesus affect the way we exercise our freedom?
5. Read verse 17: “Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” How can we show biblical honor toward someone in authority while still disagreeing with their decisions or actions?
6. For the Reward — in verses 18–20, Peter distinguishes between suffering because we have done wrong and suffering while doing what is right. Why is it sometimes difficult to continue doing the right thing when we are being treated unfairly?
7. Verse 20 reminds us that God sees and is pleased when we remain faithful while suffering unjustly. How could knowing that God sees, God knows, and God cares change the way you respond when you feel overlooked, mistreated, or misunderstood?
8. Remember Jesus — in verses 21–23, when Jesus was insulted, He did not retaliate but “entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” What does entrusting an unfair situation to God look like practically? How is that different from retaliation, bitterness, or simply ignoring the problem?
9. Our relationship with God shapes how we submit to authority. The more we trust God’s sovereignty, goodness, and justice, the less our response depends on whether the person in authority deserves it. How does trusting that God is ultimately in control help us follow Jesus when submitting to authority is difficult?
10. Make it personal: Where is submission to authority or responding appropriately to authority most difficult for you right now? Based on verse 21, what would following “in His steps” look like in that specific relationship or situation this week?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for a heart of submission. Ask God to reveal any pride, rebellion, resentment, or resistance in your heart toward authority and help you respond in a way that honors Him.
• Pray for greater trust in God. Ask the Lord to deepen your confidence in His sovereignty, goodness, and justice, especially when you disagree with authority or feel you have been treated unfairly.
• Pray for your witness. Ask God to help you respond to difficult people and circumstances with grace, humility, and integrity so that your life points others toward Jesus.
• Pray to follow in the steps of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you resist retaliation, bitterness, and the need to defend yourself, choosing instead to entrust difficult situations to “the One who judges justly.”
• Pray for a specific area of obedience. Identify a relationship or situation where submission is difficult right now. Ask God, “What would it look like for me to follow Jesus in this situation?” Then pray for the courage and humility to take that step this week.

Discussion Guide contributor this week is Jeff Rogers. “Thank you Jeff!”

If you would like to be a contributor and provide input for our weekly Community Group Discussion Guide, simply reach out to Pastor Dave.