April 6, 2019
Last week we looked mainly at chapter 2 focusing on Peter’s warning to beware of false teachers who in their pride, arrogance and greed would attempt to teach destructive heresies denying the truth about Christ and immoral practices.
This week we focus on chapters 1 and 3 and follow Peter’s main points on the unnegotiable basics of our faith in and walk with Christ.
1. The Basics.
Read 2 Peter 1:12-15, 3:1-3.
What point does Peter emphasize and what is the reason he is so passionate about it?
Discuss in your group the importance of this. What are ways we can do it? Are you already? If so share with each other.
Let’s now go through the basics that Peter writes about.
2. The Foundation.
Read Peter’s introduction to both of his letters. 1 Peter 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:1.
What does he say about the following?
• The foundation of our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.
• What God has given us?
• When we received this?
• Discuss the role the Holy Spirit at our conversion and day to day living?
3. God’s Word.
Read 2 Peter 1:16-21, 4. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 15:4.
What do you learn/are reminded about the Bible?
Discuss the following:
This section is a strong statement on the inspiration of scripture. Peter affirms that the Old Testament prophets wrote God’s messages. He puts himself and the other apostles in the same category because they also proclaim God’s truth. The Bible is not a collection of fables or human ideas about God. It is God’s very words given through people to people. Peter emphasized his authority as an eye witness as well as the God inspired authority of Scripture to prepare the way for his harsh words against the false teachers. If these wicked men were contradicting the apostles and the Bible, their message could not be from God. #
Those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God” 2 Peter 1:21, means that scripture did not come from the creative work of the prophets’ own invention or interpretation. God inspired the writers, so their message is authentic and reliable. God used the talents, education and cultural background of each writer (they were not mindless robots) and God cooperated with the writers in such a way to ensured that the message He intended was faithfully communicated in the very words they wrote. #
4. God’s Purpose.
Read 2 Peter 1:4-11 and answer the following:
• What are the “….great and precious promises” Peter refers to that God has given to His children?
• What is the purpose God has given them? See also Eph. 4:13, Romans 8:29, 2 Cor. 13:9.
• How does God want us to respond to them?
• What is the result for those who do? V. 8,10-11
• What is the result for those who don’t? v.9.
5. Christ’s Return.
Read 2 Peter 3:1-16.
Do you believe Jesus is coming again? What do you base your beliefs on?
What do the scoffers believe and what is their beliefs based on?
How does Peter respond to their view?
What is God’s reason for delaying?
How does Peter describe it will happen?
6. Conclusion.
Read and consider Peter’s final words summing up his letter. 2 Peter 3:14-18.
What thoughts do you take away from these two studies from 2nd Peter? Are there things the Holy Spirit has shown you that will help you to….
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?”
# Life Application Study Bible