Bible Study - 2 Peter
Prayer Requests
- (Heath) Beth - positive for COVID; still has it; made it through
- Wedding about to move from Aug? Heath
- (Ryan) Jeffrey & Michelle - potential COVID; good to go
- (Ryan) Zoey - 107 fever, unknown; not cancer!
- (Ryan) bro in law’s toe
Source Text
- II Peter
Outline, in the vernacular
Chapter 1
- We have been granted a power that leads to godliness and an abundant life, for God’s glory
- This power grants us a way to escape sinful desire
- Therefore:
- Supplement faith (G4102: pistis = consistency/conviction) with virtue (G703: Arete = excellence)
- Supplement virtue with knowledge
- G1108: Gnosis = knowledge
- Supplement knowledge with self-control
- G1466: egkreteia = self-control/temperance
- Only appears three times in whole Bible: here, fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:23), and Acts 24:25)
- Supplement self-control with steadfastness
- G5281: hupomone = cheerful/hopeful endurance
- In Hebrew, almost always translated as “hope” (Job 14:19, Ps. 9:18, Ps. 39:7, Ps. 62:5, Jer. 14:8)
- Supplement steadfastness with godliness
- G2150: eusebeia = godliness
- Only appears 4 times in the Lexicon and is often not directly translated, all occurances are found when talking about “the fear of the LORD”
- Supplement godliness with brotherly affection
- G5360: Philidelphia = fraternal affection/kindness
- Never appears in the Old Testament
- Supplement brotherly affection with love
- G26: agape = love, charity, benevolence
- Appears several times in Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Ecc, and 2 Samuel in a way that we typically use the word “Love” in English
- Playing that back: Godliness (or sanctification?) stems from the Love of God that drives us to Love others. In order to truly Love others we require self-control but, in order to know how to properly exercise self-control, we need the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. To attain that understanding, we need faith in God
- Love is the goal. Losing sight of this means we forget what we were rescued from and causes us to look at the world with contempt or disgust
- Peter emphasizes that his time is nearing an end and proclaims that his main message for all believers (“…to those who have obtained faith…” v1)
- This message is not his own but rather that of Jesus, and Jesus’s authority and glory was seen by him first-hand
- A warning that scripture interprets itself by offering of the Holy Spirit
Discussion Points
- How do we walk out these things?
- Ben: faith the size of mustard seed
- Ry: building blocks
- Alan: fruit/virtue/fruit
- What are some ways that we can keep Love at the center of our lives?
- Should we stop the whole “here’s what that means to me” way of studying or is that the spirit speaking through our own lives? Is there a way to know both personally or in a group setting?
Chapter 2
- False prophets do the opposite of what chapter 1 discussed: they interpret scripture freely, speaking “sensual” heresy (meaning it sounds nice) and, thus, deny God and his Truth
- God didn’t spare such people in the past, why would he stop now? (the flood, Sodom & Gomorrah) However, he always spares those that seek His face to the point that they feel hurt seeing other’s behave contrary to God’s plan (Noah, Lot)
- They are proud of leading people after themselves and enjoy their own sins, which draws in those that need God’s healing power the most
- For the false prophet, it would be better that they had never known God than to know and then deliberately disobey
Discussion Points
- It’s easy to dismiss this saying things like “I’m not a false prophet, this isn’t talking about me” or “I don’t listen to the property gospel so I’m doing great!” but this is a warning against anyone who has a popular message that, though it sounds reasonable and beautiful, is contrary to God’s word. Are there other teachings or beliefs you’ve seen or been a part of that are less well known? How do we test things?
Chapter 3
- I’m writing again so that you remember the prophets and commandments and to equip you to avoid false teachers and doubters
- Though God seems to be taking his time, remember that God is outside of time. He is patiently waiting, giving the world every opportunity to turn toward him
- When time is up, it’ll be up for good. Prepare, daily to greet God (Matt 25:1-13, the parable of the 10 virgins). Practice for the world that is to come: the new heaven and new earth, which will house the righteous on it
- Don’t be carried away by the world but study the scripture and dig for truth. Grow in grace and knowledge
Discussion Points
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