Freedom in Christ — Subjection  To be subject to the elders or (ministers) of the church.  The word Elders (Greek word  presbus) as noun, a senior; specially an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figurative member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”. Elder means the leader of the church, not one that is simply older.

The word subject or subjection -  Greek word (hopotagete) is a verb that means to submit and to place oneself under the authority and leadership of the elder or minister.  Some people shrink back when they hear the word subjection or humility mentioned. They picture a shy, weak, unimpressive type of person. But this is not what God means.  God desires the person to be strong in Him, in His Word, His Will and His Way yet have the mind to follow sound leaders.  An army cannot be strong in battle and victorious, if the troops (followers) want to go their own way or do their own thing. To be victorious one must be subjection to the leader. This action strengthens the Believer and makes them not only Blessed but a Blessing for others.

Lesson Background- Peter was writing to the people with authority as an elder, a man called by God to be a minister to the flock of God. Therefore, Peter held the very same calling and office as all other elders. He was one just like the leaders of the church. He could identify with their feelings and emotions and their experiences as a leader of God’s flock, feeding Gods sheep.  John 21:14-17

 
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The minister is the leader of the church. God has chosen and ordained the minister to be the leader among the flock of God. To be the under shepherd.  Therefore, his leadership is to be, esteemed, recognized, acknowledge, honored, followed, obeyed and subjected to.

But remember: the minister is not to be a lord over God's heritage, but an example to the flock.  He is to lead and exercise his authority by being an example, not by using authoritarian methods and bypassing people. It is this that gives balance to the minister's authority. But at the same time, the flock of God is to subject to the authority of the minister. Read I Peter 5:3

Note 1: the word younger is used to describe the laity (members) or believers in the church. The believers are to be as youth who sit at the feet of the parent to be fed and to learn and grow.  The very term conveys the idea of subjection. This shows how important this charge is to God—so important that he terms believers the younger.

 The preceding verses discuss the elder or minister of the church.  The rest of 1 Peter 5:5 exhorts all believers to be subject to one another. The main point is the younger refers to believers are to subject themselves to the minister as the parent of the church, the parent who feeds them the Word of God and who willingly takes the oversight of their welfare (1 Peter 5:2-3).

In verse 5 the second instruction for the Believers is to be subject to one another and be clothed with humility. Not only are we to be subject to our ministers, but we are to subject ourselves to one another.

Note 2:  The word all means every one of us, all ages, sexes, and classes.  No person is exempt. All of us are to subject ourselves to all believers no matter who we may be: male or female, poor or rich, young or old. Read Romans 12:3

Thought . Subjection takes concentration and effort. It takes a deliberate decision to subject to someone else. But this is just what Scripture is demanding. Every believer is unique to God and has a very special gift and contribution to make to the world and to the church. All believers are to subject themselves to one another, to each one's uniqueness and gift. All believers are to acknowledge, respect, and honor one another, all because of who each one is and because of the gift God has given each one of us.

Note 3: We are not only to be subject to one another but we must also "be clothed with humility." The phrase "be clothed" (egkombōsasthe)  means to gird oneself with an apron as a servant ready to serve.  It is the picture of what Jesus did in the upper room when He girded Himself with an apron and assumed the role of a servant and washed the feet of the disciples. Jesus, the Son of God and Sovereign Majesty of the universe, actually clothed Himself with the apron of humility and served the disciples. And, when he finished, He said:

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:13-15).

Discussion Point  Why do we find it so difficult to get to this position in our Christian walk?

Read  I Samuel 15:1-35   How many illustrations of not being in obedience or in a subjective position or mindset do you see? What were the consequences or results?

Additional reading

1 Corinthians 16:16,  1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17,  Matthew 11:29, Matthew 18:3-4,  Matthew 23:12,  Romans 12:16,  Ephesians 4:1-2,  Philippians 2:3-4,  Colossians 3:12-13,  1 Peter 5:6,  Psalm 118:15-17,  Isaiah 59:1