Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the epistle of 2 Peter. I feel a great sense of urgency to publish them because I’m not sure how much time we have left on this big, blue marble. Thank you for reading them. I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, early summer 2010, things are still looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment, BP is taking a lot of heat over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and hurricane Alex looms off the coast of the United States. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 1 of 2 Peter. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
1:1 – Simon Peter writes this letter to those who have received faith through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
1:2 – Are you receiving an abundance of grace and peace through the knowledge of God and of Jesus?
1:3 – This verse states that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him. Can you name a few of those things that He’s given you?
1:4 – What promises has He given us that enable us to participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires?
1:5-7 – Which of these qualities are you struggling to add to your faith? Have you prayed for His divine enabling to add them to your character? Remember that you can do all things through Christ Who gives you strength.
1:8 – What is keeping you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Christ? Share with someone else how the previously mentioned qualities help you in your Christian life.
1:9 – Do you sometimes forget that you have been cleansed from your past sins? How do you get back on track without damaging yourself with guilt over the sin in your past that is already forgiven?
1:10 – What does it mean to you “to make your calling and election sure”?
1:12 – Are you taking any measures to remind others of what the Bible says they should do as Christians? What?
1:13 – How do you refresh your own memory about these things?
1:14 – If you are putting this off thinking you’ve got your whole life ahead of you, quit putting it off. Life is uncertain. Spend time with the Lord NOW.
1:15 – What will your Christian legacy be?
1:16 – What sort of first-hand accounts of your relationship with Christ can you share with others? You may not have been an apostle, but you are still an eye-witness.
1:17 – Describe where you have witnessed God’s glory.
See Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35 for the original appearance of this reference.
1:19 – Have you studied prophecy? Although much prophecy in the Bible is yet to be fulfilled, much is fulfilled already. It is exciting to study it in conjunction with its fulfillment.
Do you have any suggestions for studying prophecy? A study guide? A prophecy Bible? Looking up the references to new testament passages? Find a trustworthy source and dig into Biblical prophecy.
• Second Peter illustrates several life lessons and warnings for Christians. What is God teaching you in this chapter of scripture? How will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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