The following discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on October 7 “Gender Roles in Marriage” (1 Peter 3:1–7). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. God’s Call Upon the Wife (1 Peter 3:1–6)
   
   • Be Submissive (1 Peter 3:1–2)
   • Focus on Inner Beauty More than Outer Beauty (1 Peter 3:3–4)
   • Rationale: Because This is Your Birthright (1 Peter 3:5–6)
2. God’s Call Upon the Husband (1 Peter 3:7)
   
   • Live With Wives According to Knowledge (what)
   • Showing Honor to the Woman as a Weaker Vessel (how)
   • Because They are Fellow Heirs of the Grace of Life (why)
   • Warning: If You Don’t, Your Prayers Will be Hindered

Discussion Questions

• What does Peter say about submission? Should a believing wife submit to an unbelieving husband? (1 Peter 3:1–2)
• What does Peter say about external beauty and internal beauty? (1 Peter 3:3–4)
• Why does Peter bring up the lineage of faith of “holy women who hoped in God”? What do they have to teach us about submission? (1 Peter 3:5–6)
• In verse 7, what is the central call upon a husband’s life? How does he accomplish it?
• Why is it important for a husband to live with his wife in an understanding way?
• Name three things that submission is not.
• What is the difference between humble headship and hyper-headship?

Application Questions

• What is the most practical takeaway from this sermon about marriage that you need to apply immediately?
• How is the biblical vision of marriage different than worldly counterparts?
• What are some ways that you can make your marriage more God-centered and Christ-exalting?

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to live out gender roles in submission to the Lordship of Christ.