Power Under Pressure

Getting Familiar with 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

Date Of Writing

Recipients of The Letter

The best way to start learning any book of the Bible is to simply read it over and over. Thankfully, that is an easy task with 2 Peter. Since it is only 61 verses long, it can be read in roughly just 10 minutes.

In addition to Bible reading for yourself, the following study guide is intended to help individuals and groups learn 1 Peter.

Please use this guide as tools and not rules.

As the Holy Spirit guides your time in Scripture, and as you have discussion with others, the goal is not finishing the guide but rather meeting with God through learning the Bible.

Consider this guide more as a compass pointing you in a direction than a map that directs your every step.

For example, most weeks there will be more questions for the “Talk it Out” section than can be covered in one group time together, and this is intentional so that people can choose the questions they find most helpful from a menu of options.

The format for each week lays out as follows:

1. Scripture for each week

2. Introduction and overview of each week’s Scripture

3. Think it out: Questions for personal study

4. Talk it out: Questions for group discussion

5. Walk it out: Questions for personal action

6. Pray it out: Ways for group members to pray together

WEEK 1:

2 Peter 1:1–15 NKJV

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

Introduction and overview

Peter begins his second letter to Christians who were increasingly despised and opposed in their culture as they were seeking to learn how they could continue to become like Christ and point others to Christ.

The tone of the letter is like that of a spiritual father with a family who wants to do what is right and is wrestling with how to do it.

Peter teaches all Christians that, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

The Christian life is, contrary to a lot of popular opinion, a life we live for God.

No, the Christian life is God working for us in Jesus, as well as in us and through us by the Holy Spirit.

This truth provides the courage to live through suffering for Christ, and the humility to live through the Spirit like Christ.

Think it out: Questions for personal study

1. Peter says that all Christians have “equal standing” with him in Christ.

Do you really and truly believe that there is no such thing as junior varsity Christians, and that you are as loved, forgiven, and empowered as Peter?

2. List out the things that Peter warns us are working against our progress in Christian living. Which of these items is most difficult for you?

3. List out the virtues that God the Holy Spirit wants to grow in you by His “divine power”.

Which one have you made the most progress in?

Which one(s) still need the most progress?

4. Peter says that to make sense of this life, we have to keep God’s eternal rewards on our horizon.

What are some ways we can accomplish this?

5. Peter says that there are things we need to remind one another of.

What are the most important things that you know, but sometimes forget, and need to be reminded about (e.g. reading Scripture, confessing our sin, forgiving others, praying, worshipping, giving, serving, etc.)?

Talk it out: Questions for group discussion

1. Peter talks about being a “servant” “of Christ”.

Who has been the most helpful to you in your Christian walk?

Who has God called you to serve in this season?

2. Peter talks about stirring up passion for Christian living in fellow believers.

How can we encourage one another practically during the week to continue moving forward in our faith walk?

3. Peter talks about how he could not be physically with them, and one day would die, but that they could continue to learn about and grow in Christ without him. Who has served you in your past in this way?

Who are you praying continues to walk with Jesus even when you are not present with them, or alive on the earth?

How can we join you in prayer for them (e.g. spouse, friend, child, grandchild)?

4. Peter says that the Christian can become so “near sighted” that they are essentially “blind”.

This happens when we lose sight of the judgement of our lives for eternal rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In which area(s) are you most prone to nearsightedness–thinking and focusing on the short-term instead of long-term?

Walk it out: Questions for personal action

1. Since it takes around 10 minutes to read 2 Peter, will you commit to reading it every day for the next month?

2. Peter wrote a letter to communicate encouragement to believers who were suffering and struggling.

Who do you know that would benefit from you following his example and writing a letter to them?

3. Who do you need to stir up a passion in for continuing to mature as a Christian?

How can you encourage and motivate them in love?

Pray it out: Ways for group members to pray together

1. Of all the negative things Peter lists, which one would you like prayer for the most so that you can walk in victory over it?

2. Of all the positive things Peter lists, which one would you like prayer for the most to make that a focused area of growth in your life?

3. Peter is writing to numerous small churches that operated a lot like small groups that meet in homes.

What kind of relationships would result if your group followed his instruction?

How can you be praying together to foster that environment for healthy relationships?