Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
The speaker says he won’t “apologize” for 1 Peter 3 because apologizing implies, “Sorry, folks, I don’t know what God had in mind here.” What does that reveal about his view of God’s wisdom and goodness in giving unpopular commands, and where do you feel the impulse to soften or qualify God’s design before you obey it?
Another way to ask: What does the speaker’s refusal to “apologize” for 1 Peter 3 show about how he trusts God’s wisdom and goodness, even when commands are unpopular? Where are you tempted to soften God’s design before you obey it?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The speaker treats 1 Peter 3 as wise and good because it comes from God, even if it is “very unpopular” today; apologizing would imply doubt about God’s intent. He challenges believers to stop treating God’s design as embarrassing and instead “observe and practice” it for the health of the church.
- He admits the text is unpopular and says he feels an inner “struggle… wanting to give an apology.”
- He refuses: “I’m not going to apologize,” because that would communicate, “I don’t know what God had in mind here… I don’t think he was too serious about it.”
- He frames the commands as “very important” and says the subject “plays a vital role in the body of Christ.”
- He connects obedience to honoring God: “If we want to honor our Heavenly Father, we need to observe and practice.”
- He calls the wife’s role “indispensable, honorable… something we can’t do without.”