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 3 of 2 Peter. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
3:1 – This is Peter’s second letter to believers. Apparently, they were written to stimulate wholesome thinking. Glance back through first and second Peter and make a list of what verses stimulate wholesome thinking. Meditate on these verses. Memorize them.
3:2 – What words of the prophets can you recall? Check the Old Testament if you need to find some to memorize. What command given by Jesus do you remember? Study the gospels for a reminder of what Jesus commanded.
3:3-5 – Scoffers will come in the last days. What is a scoffer? What will they do?
3:5 – What do you think Peter meant when he wrote that “they deliberately forget” what happened long ago by God's word? What is the significance that they were deliberate about forgetting?
3:6 – What story did they deliberately forget?
3:7 – The heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire on the day of judgment.
destruction – apoleia – losing, loss, the state after death wherein exclusion from salvation is a realized fact. WOW! He is Lord, I am lost, it’s too late!
3:8 – God is timeless.
3:9 – The Lord isn’t dragging His feet about bringing His children home. He is patiently giving everyone an opportunity to repent. Can you think of someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus? Share the gospel with them.
3:10 – What does it mean that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief”?
3:11-12 – How should we behave as we await the day of the Lord? Are you behaving this way? What one thing can you work with God to change today?
3:13 – There is a picture of this new heaven and new earth in the book of Revelation. Check it out.
3:14 – How can you be “found spotless, blameless and at peace with” God?
3:15 – The Lord's patience means salvation. What does this phrase mean to you?
3:16 – Peter was familiar with Paul’s letters. He says that ignorant and unstable people will distort the parts of Paul’s letters that are difficult to understand. This will destroy them. How do you learn Biblical truths that are difficult to understand?
3:17 – Beware of lawless men. They can lead to your fall. And you can fall from your secure position according to this verse. Is there an area where you’ve been influenced to compromise yourself? Get back on track. Trust me. I’ve been there.
3:18 – Spend time with Jesus and get to know Him better. Pray, read and study His Word every day.
• 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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