First Book of Peter
1 Peter One ….(verses 1-25)
1. Verses 1-8
- a. Who is Peter writing this letter to? (verse 1)
“Strangers”, that is, non-Jewish people who had become Christians through his teachings and who were now scattered throughout the known world.
b. Who were the first lot of Gentile Christians? (Acts 10:24, 34-35)
Those of Cornelieus’ ( Roman centurion) household.
c. Can you put verse 2 into your own words?
Because of God’s foreknowledge, He elected (chose) these people to be sanctified (set apart for Him) by the Holy Spirit, and because they were obedient to Him through the blood of the Lord Jesus…..greetings…..
d. What do we notice about the God-head in this verse? (verse 2; Ephesians 3:10-11)
The work of making people into believers is the work of the three persons of the God-Head…it is the plan of God the Father, the work of the God the Holy Spirit through the shedding of the blood of God the Son…the whole three were involved in the work of salvation.
e. What truth does Paul back up verse 2 with? (Ephesians 1:4)
The fact that God is working to a plan that was drawn up long before He created the world and that people (both Jews and Gentiles) were already chosen and elected by name (because of God’s foreknowledge) to be part of God’s family.
f. How is it possible to be part of God’s family? (Acts 16: 29-31)
By believing what Jesus Christ has done for mankind.
g. How much mercy does God have for His people? (verse 3a)
He has ABUNDANT mercy, more than enough!
h. What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantee us? (verse 3b-4)
It gives us a living hope and is a guarantee that there is an inheritance waiting for us that will never fade and that is reserved in heaven for each believer.
i. What keeps the believer during this waiting period? (verse 5)
As we have faith to believe, God’s power keeps us until we will see and experience it for ourselves.
j. What can the believer rejoice in, even when things go wrong? (verses 5b-6)
The fact that Christ is coming again.
k. What is the trial of one’s faith likened to in verse 7a? Or even more valuable than?
It is likened to that of gold which can go through the fire and come out refined.
l. What does Paul have to say about a person’s life? (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
Every person is building with some sort of material, and we are to make sure that we build with things that are not valueless in the end.
m. What does the “gold and silver” of a person’s life result in? (verse 7b)
It results in praise, honour and glory to God.
n. What else can the believer rejoice at all times in when things aren’t going right ? (verse 8)
We can rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ at ALL times, no matter what!
2. Verses 9-12
a. What does faith result in? (verse 9)
The soul of the person being saved from God’s condemnation.
b. Who prophesied in the olden times about this salvation? Did they understand what they were prophesying? (verse 10)
The Old Testament prophets told of the One who was going to come and they would have liked to have known more but it wasn’t shown to them.
c. Who stimulated their writings and prophesyings? (verse 11; 2 Peter 1:21)
The Holy Spirit moved them to write God’s word.
d. Did the angels understand what was going to happen? (verse 12; Ephesians 3:10)
Not until it came to pass.
e. What other coming event do the angels NOT know ? (Matthew 24:36)
The time of the return of the Lord Jesus for His people.
f. What does Peter go on to talk about? (verses 13-16)
The believers’ attitudes, actions and way of life.
g. What attitudes are believers to have? (verse 13)
i. Be self disciplined ii. Be positive
iii. Be sensible. iv. Be cheerful
h. What actions are believers to do? (verse 14)
i. Be obedient to God’s Word ii. Live a holy lifestyle.
i. What does being “holy” entail? (verses 15-16; Galations 5:16, 22-24)
To walk as the Holy Spirit would have us to, pleasing God, and to be good honest, loving, patient and kind, showing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
j. What does verse 17 remind us about?
That God is totally impartial and will judge all believers according to their works in this life.
k. What are we judged on? (Galations 6:7-9)
What we have done in this life….whether pleasing the Lord, or pleasing ourselves.
3. Verses 18-25
a. Can money or wealth buy a person’s salvation? (verse 18)
No!
b. Can the blood of animal sacrifices take away man’s sins? (verse 19; Hebrews 10:4, 6)
No!
c. What does the believer trust in for salvation? (verse 19; John 1:29)
The precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the perfect Lamb of God with no blemish of any sort.
d. When was all this planned? (verse 20; Revelation 13:8b)
It was all planned before the creation of the world….it was as good as completed in God’s eyes back then!
e. When did it come to light in the world’s history? (verse 20; Matthew 1:21)
When Jesus Christ was born into this world…classed as the “last days”
f. What is the Christian’s belief ? (verse 21)
That God raised up Jesus Christ from the dead and that He is seated at God’s right hand in heaven….the Christian’s belief and trust is totally in God, not his own good works!
g. What is verse 22 telling us?
That because our souls have been made pure by obeying God’s truth, we are to prove it by loving each other fervently.
h. What does verse 23 say?
Because we have obeyed God, we are now born again and have God’s eternal life by believing what His Word says which stands for ever.
i. What is man’s life on earth likened to? (verse 24)
The grass and flowers that wither away.
j. What is the only lasting thing in life? How can we take hold of this? (verse 25; Psalm 119:89)
God’s Word is the only thing that lives and abides for ever, and we can make it our own by learning it off by heart.
k. Sum up in one sentence what you have learned from this chapter….
My only hope is in Jesus Christ who came to give His blood for my salvation, therefore I must live a holy life and rejoice in Him regardless of my circumstances.
1 Peter Two ….(verses 1-25)
1. Verses 1-10
- a. What things does the believer have to get rid of? (verse 1)
All spitefulness, dishonesty, envy and gossip.
b. What is a new believer likened to? What do they need? (verse 2)
A new believer is like a new born baby needing the milk of the Word to grow.
c. Is a believer meant to stay on the milk of the Word? What should he progress to? What sort of things does a believer still feeding on milk exhibit? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
No, if a believer is still squabbling with others and fussing about things that don’t really matter, he is still on “milk”; a believer is meant to progress to the meat of the Word just as a child does. The stronger meat of the Word, gives discernment and right judgement.
d. What do all believers “taste” for themselves? Why do you think the simile of “taste” is used? (verse 3)
Once a person has experienced and recognised the Lord’s hand in their lives, they KNOW His grace in forgiveness. When a person tastes a flavour, they then KNOW what it is, rather than just being told about it and imagining it.
e. What is Christ likened to in this passage? (verses 4-8)
A living Stone, the chief corner Stone, and a Rock of Offence.
f. How do believers fit in this analogy? (verse 5)
Believers are living stones being built into a spiritual house for God with Christ as the Chief Corner Stone for the whole building.
g. How is this Chief Stone described and thought of by God? (verse 6)
He is precious beyond anything else to God.
h. How do His people regard Him ? (verse 7)
He is precious to believers….He is central to our belief, and without Him we would be nothing.
i. What is this Chief Stone to unbelievers? (verse 8)
He is a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of Offence….they stumble over His death and are offended at the thought of having to humble themselves before Him….they are disobedient to Him and His Word and think their own way is right and good enough..
j. How is the believer regarded by God? (verse 9a)
The believer is chosen by God, a holy nation and a special people, as well as being part of the kingdom of priests before God who are able to worship and praise Him.
k. What is the purpose of man? why did God create him? (verse 9b; Isaiah 43:7, 21)
The purpose of man is to give glory and praise to God, and only a believer can do this, it is what he was made for.
l. Where did Peter get the ideas he has expressed from ? (Deuteronomy 14:2; Psalm 118:22-23; Isaiah 8:13-14; 28:16)
They are all expressed in the Old Testament Scriptures and the Holy Spirit impressed on him that they equally apply to believers today.
m. What are the contrasts in verses 9c-10?
The contrasts of darkness to light. The contrast of those without God and the children of God. The contrast of those who experience the mercy of God and those who will know no mercy.
n. What contrast is brought out very clearly in John 3:36?
The contrast of life and God’s judgement; separation from God, eternal conscious death, and the eternal bliss of living in heaven.
2. Verses 11-25
a . What sort of people are believers in this world? Why? (Verse 11; John 17:14-16)
Believers are to remember that though they are IN the world, they are not OF it…..they are merely strangers and pilgrims passing through.
b. What do the Old Testament godly people give us? (Hebrews 11:10, 13, 16)
An example of looking forwards to the heavenly city God has prepared for us.
c. What does Paul tell us to do in Colossians 3:1-2?
To set our minds and affections on the things of God, and not be tied to the things we have here on earth.
d. What do non-Christians often say about believers? (verse 12)
They can’t understand the attitudes that believers have to their way of life, in keeping away from their booze parties and dances etc. They call them “do-gooders” and “narrow minded bigots” and rubbish the good that they do.
e. How should believers conduct themselves in the world of their everyday life? (verse 12a)
They should be above reproach, honest and consistent in their behaviour, doing good wherever they can.
f. What should the attitude of the believer be towards the laws of the land and local bodies? (verses 13-15)
The believer is to keep the laws of the land, no matter how petty and frustrating they may be, because God has ordained the powers that be and it pleases God when His people show a co-operative spirit in these things. It is also a good witness to unbelievers that Christians comply with the law; they can’t then point the finger.
g . What is verse 16 saying?
In one sense a believer is free from man’s laws and only responsible to God’s laws, but in this case it is God’s law that His people obey the laws of their land as a good witness to those who observe them. God wants His people to be humble people, not arrogant in their attitudes to anything, spiritual or physical.
h. What universal law is the believer bound to keep? (verse 17; John 15:12)
The law of love……love for God and love for his fellow men.
i. How is the believer to think of other people? (verse 17)
To respect them as fellow human-beings…..no-one is to be treated like an animal, and no animal is be treated with cruelty.
j. What attitude is the believing employee to have towards a difficult employer? Why? (verses 18-20)
He is to do his best and take the bad temper and difficulties of his boss the best he can because this humble attitude is pleasing to God.
k. Who is the believer’s prime example in a situation like this? (Verse 21; John 6:38; 8:29c)
Jesus Christ didn’t please Himself in coming to earth or in facing His physical death, but He did everything towards pleasing God his Father…..it is God’s will that matters, not our will….who are WE when all is said and done?
l. How is this attitude of Christ’s relevant to you and me today? (verses 22-24)
It means EVERYTHING to us….if Christ had pleased Himself, there would be no salvation for us and we would be without hope for the future.
m. Comment on the question, “Who are WE anyway?” (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 2:20)
Without Christ we are nothing…..we may be full of noise and self importance, but that is nothing more than empty wind. With Christ, we have EVERYTHING….we are a child of God, heirs and joint heirs with Christ of all that God has in His everlasting kingdom!
n. What are people likened to in verse 25? What do these creatures do? (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 10:11)
They are likened to sheep….unbelievers are like sheep that go their own way and get lost, and believers are like sheep that return to the Great and Good Shepherd who cares for their souls.
1 Peter Three ….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-7
a . How are believing women to relate to their husbands? (Verse 1a; Ephesians 5:22-28)
They are not to be the boss in the relationship, but to fit in with their husband’s plans and allow him to be the head of the family.
b. What if the husband is not a believer? Why? (verses 1b-2)
The wife is to be even more careful of how she behaves because then he may be won to the Lord by her actions rather than by her words.
c. What is a good marriage relationship a picture of? (Ephesians 5:23-24)
It is a picture of the relationship that should exist between Christ and His people….just as Christ is the Head of the church, (which no-one denies), so the husband is to be the head of the wife and family.
d. What is the attitude of the husband to the wife to be? (Ephesians 5:25, 28)
He is to love her in the same way that Christ loves the church, and to consider and meet all her needs as Christ meets the needs of the believer.
- e. What makes a godly woman beautiful? (verses 3-4a)
It is not what she wears or how she does her hair that gives true beauty, but it is what she is like in her heart and attitudes.
f. What does God prize above all things in a woman? (verse 4b)
A gentle and quiet spirit….one who trusts in Him for everything. God prizes this above all else because He knows it doesn’t come naturally, but has to be worked on and cultivated.
g . What does Ephesians 5:33 add to this thought?
A wife must reverence (respect and look up to) her husband.
h. What does this mean? Check it out in a modern translation.
It means she must respect his decisions, and honour and praise him up; she must not go behind his back or disagree in public, nor speak disrespectively to or of him. This does not come naturally and has to be worked on, and this is what God prizes in a wife.
i. Who is quoted as an example of this? Was her husband always worthy of her respect? (verses 5-6; Genesis 12:11-20; 20:2, 5, 13)
Sarah and Abraham are an example to us….even when Abraham was in the wrong, Sarah still did what he told her to, and the Lord looked after her and kept her from harm. Abraham was fearful, distrusting God and told Sarah to lie to protect him…..he wasn’t worthy of respect, yet Sarah obeyed him.
j. How is the husband to treat his wife? Does this come naturally in this day and age? (verse 7a)
The husband is to respect her point of view and treat her thoughtfully and lovingly…..he is to remember that she isn’t as strong physically and is to treat her as something that is precious and valuable.
k. What is he to remember? Why? (Verse 7b; Galatians 3: 28)
That they are equal in the sight of God and in His kingdom…..if he doesn’t treat her respectfully his prayers will be hindered and get no further than the roof.
l. What does this tell us?
That if a couple are scrapping and not getting on, their prayer life will fall off and their prayers will be ineffective anyway.
m. Do these instructions mean that a woman is inferior to a man?
No! One is no better than the other, they are just different! They are both equal in the things of God, but in physical things they are to obey God’s order, to preserve God’s picture of Christ and the church.
2. Verses 8-18
a . What are the things in verses 8-9 that show a truly spiritual person?
Being agreeable and not argumentative, truly loving others, sympathetic and seeing other’s points of view, polite and thoughtful, taking the blame meekly even when unjustly given.
b. What does Paul say is the opposite of a spiritual person? What are the signs of a person like this? (verses 10-11; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 3:1-3)
The opposite of a spiritual person is a natural one who has not received the Spirit of God; the opposite of a spiritual Christian is a “carnal” one or a baby Christian who is behaving like a non – Christian in arguing, wanting one’s own way, inconsiderate of others, and creating strife and divisions.
c. In verses 10-12, where is Peter quoting from? What is this age-old rule? (Psalm 34:12-15)
He is quoting from the Old Testament in the book of Psalms where David says that if a person wants a good life, to keep away from getting into arguments or gossip….speak always and only the truth and keep the peace to keep the prayer lines open between you and God!
d. What does verse 13 tell us?
That we will keep out of trouble if we follow the Lord.
e. What is our attitude to be if we are persecuted when we do good? (verse 14)
We can be happy and glad that we are counted worthy to suffer for the One who suffered for us!
f . How are believers to regard the Lord? (verse 15a)
They are to give Him the special place in their hearts, to love, and follow him with ALL their heart, mind and soul and to set Him BEFORE anything else, seeking His mind in everything they do.
g. When is a believer to talk about what he believes? (verse 15b)
When he is asked about it….a person is more likely to listen when they are asking a question.
h. What sort of manner are they to use when talking about the Lord? (verse 15c)
A polite and respectful manner….NOT laying down the law!
i. What sort of people is Peter suggesting that believers will be facing? (verse 16)
People who are falsely accusing them and even taking them to court wrongly just because they are Christians.
j. What might God’s will entail for believers? (verse 17)
It might include suffering and the hatred of unbelievers.
k. Who else suffered hatred, and cruelty at the hands of unbelievers? (verse 18)
The Lord Jesus s suffered wrongfully on our account so we must not be surprised if we suffer because we follow Him.
l. What do we see in verse 18 about the triune (the three aspects of ) God in relation to man’s salvation? (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Christ the SON came and lived on earth so that He might die for sinners to bring them to the FATHER and was raised from the dead by the SPIRIT. This shows that the Triune God was totally involved in the business of man’s salvation.
3. Verses 19-22
a . Verses 19-20 are a grey area which we are not told anything much about. Taking other verses into consideration, does it seem that those who turn away from following God in this life have a second chance after death? (Ephesians 4:8-10)
Not really….it doesn’t say that the “spirits in prison” turned to God or were released…..it merely says that He preached or proclaimed to them. They had had their chance on earth to be saved…..God was waiting patiently for them then, but they still refused.
b. What picture does Peter use to illustrate this? (verse 20)
That of Noah being saved from judgement by obeying God and getting into the ark…..no-one else was able to get into the ark once God shut the door and the water rose over people’s heads.
c. What does baptism do for the believer? Does it save him? (verse 21; Acts 8:35-38)
It doesn’t clean his body or wash away his sins, but it gives him a clear conscience before God in obeying His Word.
d. What fact saves the believer? (verses 21c-22)
The fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that He is seated at the Right Hand of God
1 Peter Four ….(verses 1-19)
1. Verses 1-6
a . Christ suffered pain and persecution for His teachings….what can we expect if we follow His ways? Why? ( verse 1; John 16:33)
If we are following Christ, we CANNOT expect the world to like what we stand for, and as He was persecuted so will we be if we stand up for what is right. The world hated Christ and it hates His followers just as much.
b. What is the mind set of those who suffer for their Christian beliefs? (,verses 1b-2 )
Their mind is set on Christ and His teachings, and they will not deliberately commit sin. They don’t live for parties, drinking and debauchery as the world does. Their mind is set on pleasing God.
c. How does the world view the Christian who doesn’t live for the things that they do? Sport and parties etc? (verses 3-4)
They think a Christian has a BORING restrictive life style, and can’t understand that they have other things that now fill their minds and lives.
d. What do they not realise they will have to do one day? (verse 5)
That they will have to stand before the Almighty God one day and give an account of themselves!
- e. What will condemn and judge ALL people in that day? (Matthew 12:36-37)
All people (believers as well as unbelievers) will then see themselves as God sees them, and as they account for EVERYTHING they have ever said and done, they will condemn themselves…..their own words and deeds over the years will condemn them.
f. What about believers….are they let off this ordeal? (Romans 14:12; Revelation 20: 12-15)
Believers also will have to give an account of themselves to God….no-one is let off this scary action! But the believer’s sins have been dealt with by Christ, and their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life….their souls are saved from God’s righteous wrath.
g . Verse 6 as written in the Authorised Version is hard to grasp in the light of other New Testament teaching. Peter’s meaning is unclear to commentators. God’s programme for today for the unsaved is “the wages of sin is death and after that the judgement”. The Bible does not teach that those who are alive today will have a second chance to hear and accept the Gospel. For this reason some believe that verse 6 would be more accurately interpreted: “And that is why the Good News of salvation was preached (in their life time) to those who were going to die, or to those who are dead in sins”. The Gospel is preached to all those who are going to die one day….what does Paul say in Ephesians 2:1, and Colossians 2:13?
ALL people are dead (to God) in trespasses and sins, and do not become alive in their spirits until they believe and confess their sins.
2. Verses 7-19
a . What did the apostles genuinely think about the end times? (verse 7; 1 John 2:18)
That it was imminent, even then!
b. What should our attitude be 2000 years later? (1 Thessalonians 5:2,8)
We should be even more vigilant watching for the Lord’s return, living godly lives and following the Lord to the best of our ability, being people of prayer.
c. What should be the first priority for believers? (verse 8; 1 John 3:23)
To have a fervent love for each other and overlook each other’s faults.
d. What is one sign of our love for each other? (verse 9)
To be hospitable and cheerful with it!
- e. What should believers do with their abilities and talents? (verse 10)
Use them for God’s glory and the building up and encouragement of others.
- f. What should the ultimate aim of believers be? (verse 11b)
To glorify and praise God and Jesus Christ continually.
g . What topic is Peter writing about in this section? (verses 12-16)
The topic of suffering for the faith.
h. Why do you think he majored on this so much? (verses 13-14)
Because these were times of great persecution when Christians were being thrown into prisons and lion’s dens for their faith.
i. Can you think of other times when believers have suffered torture and death for their faith?
There has never been a time when believers have not suffered for their faith. During the dark middle ages people were burnt at the stake, beheaded and drowned tied to stakes. In these days the Communists have shot many believers, and there has been much persecution by Muslims against Christians in middle eastern countries as well as in Africa and Indonesia
j. How are believers to react in times of persecution? (verses 13-14)
They are to be glad to share in Christ’s sufferings and to glorify God for this ( they are not to be turncoats or spies) but are to commit their souls and lives to God for His safe keeping.
- e. What is the warning in verse 15?
To make sure we don’t suffer for criminal activities or because of stirring up strife in the place.
f. What does verse 16 tell us?
We are not to be ashamed of suffering for our Christian beliefs, but to behave in a manner that is glorifying to God.
g. What are the warnings in verses 17-18?
If God deals with His people, how much more is going to deal with unbelievers. We must never take our salvation lightly or for granted.
h . What is the main thing that persecution cannot deprive a believer of? (verse 19)
His salvation from sin and his status with God.
1 Peter Five….(verses 1-14)
1. Verses 1-7
a . What does Peter tell us about himself in verse 1?
He was an elder; he saw the sufferings of Christ, both in the garden and during the trial, then on the cross. He was looking forwards to sharing in the glory to come.
b. Who is he specifically addressing ? (verse 1)
The elders in each of the churches.
c. What is the responsibility of elders? (verses 2-3)
To feed God’s people and look after them cheerfully and freely, not because they HAVE to, but because they WANT to! They are also to be good examples to God’s people in every way.
d. What analogy does he use in this connection? (verses 2-3)
He speaks of the elders as shepherds and the people as the flock of God.
e. Who are the elders answerable to? What will He give them? (verse 4)
The chief shepherd who is Christ, will give an unfading crown of glory when he returns.
f . What is the subject of verse 5? What is it telling us for today?
That we are to be humble enough to work in with others…..if we are, God will give us the necessary grace to continue.
g. What sort of person can God do nothing with? (verse 5b)
God can do nothing with a person who is too proud to turn to Him….God resists them and their plans.
h. What will God do for a person who is humble? (verse 6)
He will exalt that person in the end.
i. How does Matthew 23:12 agree with verse 6?
It says that those who are proud will be brought down and those who humble themselves will be lifted up.
j. What common saying bears out Matthew 23:12?
Pride comes before a fall!
k. Read Micah 6:8…..what is the main point in this verse that most people miss?
It’s no use doing all the good things in the hope of getting to heaven….we have to both humble ourselves to walk with God in the first place in accepting His great gift of Jesus Christ, and then live humbly with Him as well
l. What precious thought is in verse 7?
The thought that God cares for each one of His people enough to take their worries from them if they will let them go.
m . How do verses 17-18 in Psalm 139 expand this idea?
God has so many thoughts for His people…..more than we have any idea of!
2. Verses 8-14
a . What does the believer have to be vigilant about? Why? (verse 8; Job 1:6-12)
The believer has to be vigilant about the wiles of the devil, because he is roaming around the world seeing who he can trip up and bring down.
b. How can the believer send Satan packing ? (verse 9; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11)
By standing firmly resisting him and his temptations, using the WHOLE (not just some of it) armour of God.
c. How does Paul expand this thought of evil influences at work? (Ephesians 6:12)
Paul calls it spiritual principalities, powers and rulers of darkness….these surround the believer but cannot touch him if he is vigilant in the things of God.
d. HOW can the believer resist the devil? (Ephesians 6:13-18)
By using the armour that God provides…truth, faith, right living, readiness to move away from temptation, claiming God’s salvation and using God’s word and prayer.
e. How does God help the believer in these spiritual battles? Can we separate spiritual temptation from the physical? What did Paul say about it? (Acts 16:24; 1 Corinthians 4:9)
Spiritual temptation often shows itself in the physical….either in bodily tension and stress, behaviour or places frequented. In Paul’s case it was in his persecutions before people, and the feeling of being made a public spectacle in his beatings and being in the stocks.
f. Can a person do the resisting on his own? (verse 10; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
No! A person who thinks he can stand on his own will fall for sure. It is only as we make the first step by making up our mind to resist, that God will make the next steps and give us the necessary strength.
g. Whose is the glory when Satan flees? (verse 11)
It is only with God’s help that Satan can be resisted, therefore the glory for this belongs to God alone.
h . Silvanus is another name for Silas….what do we know about Silas and Mark at the beginning of their ministry? ( Acts 15: 30-40)
They were at Antioch for a while….Mark had gone with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary trip, but it had proved too much for Mark and he went home much to Paul’s disgust. On the next trip, Barnabas wanted to take Mark again, but Paul strongly disagreed, so Barnabas and Mark went one way, and Paul took Silas with him instead.
i. How does Peter describe them in verses 12-13? (2 Timothy 4:11b)
Silas is a faithful brother and Mark was with Peter like a son. Paul could say later that Mark was profitable to him, so he had obviously matured and stayed in the ministry.
j. What lesson is there in this for us?
Never write anyone off as a dead loss. There is always a second chance for everyone if they take it.
Second Book of Peter
2 Peter One ….(verses 1-21)
1. Verses 1-4
- b. Who is Peter writing this letter to? (verse 1)
Other believers who have the same precious faith.
b. What does the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ give? (verse 2a)
Grace and peace of heart and mind.
c. How is this grace and peace multiplied to believers? (verse 2b)
It is multiplied to believers as they get to know more and more of Jesus Christ.
d. How are we enabled to gain this knowledge of God and Jesus Christ? (verses 3-4)
God has it all there in His Word for us to discover for ourselves…all we have to do is put time and effort into it.
e. What sort of life does God call us to? (verse 3)
A glorious eternal life based on His wonderful precious promises that starts NOW…..we are delivered from every sort of vice we were once in bondage to, and are free to live to please Him.
f. What has God given us that helps us to enjoy Himself? (verse 4a)
Very great and precious promises of all that He has in store for us….it’s just up to us to take hold of them
g. Can we enjoy these promises of God while we dabble in doubtful things of the world? (verse 4b)
No! We can’t have our feet in two camps
h. What does Paul tell us in Galatians 6:8?
We will get what we go in for…….we reap what we sow!
2. Verses 5-7
a God has MULTIPLIED this grace and peace to us, now what does He want us to do with it? (verses 5-7)
He wants us to ADD these things to the foundation He has given us.
b. What frame of mind do we need for this adding? (verse 5)
We need to be diligent….ordered and spending time on it.
c. Why is it that we can only add and not multiply?
Because we as humans, can only take one step at a time…we have to obey and learn each thing before we can take the next step.
d. What is the foundation that we build on? Why is it necessary? (1 Corinthians 3:11-15;)
The foundation is the salvation of Jesus Christ.
e. What is the first step? Why ? (verse 5b; Hebrews 11:6)
The first step is faith, because without this we cannot please God or even believe in Him!
f. What is the first thing that we need to add to our faith? (verse 5b)
A right way of living, just plain ordinary being good!
g. What goes with that? (verse 5c)
Right attitudes, and KNOWING what God wants you to do.
h. Temperance means self control….why is this important? (verse 6a)
Because this is what people see…an ordered self disciplined life speaks louder than words!
i. What follows closely on the heels of self control? (verse 6b)
PATIENCE! We need patience with people, things and circumstances.
j. Anyone might be able to get this far, but what will a believer exhibit that non-believers can’t ? (verse 6c)
Godliness….an acknowledgement of God in their lives in where they go, things they do and how they speak
k. What is the ultimate thing to display in our lives that we put on over everything else ? (verse 7; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2; Colossians 3:14)
Kindness and love add a warmth to all these other attributes….without love, we are an empty clanging drum, hard and unyielding.
3. Verses 8-21
- a. What IS the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? (verse 8; John 15:14)
It is not just knowing ABOUT Him, but it is OBEYING Him and learning to live like He did. It is by displaying these attributes that we have just gone through in the previous verses.
b. If a believer just lives a casual selfish life, what do verses 8-9 say they will be?
They will be barren (empty) and unfruitful in knowing Christ. They are blind and forgetful of what they have been saved from.
c. How long do you think this process of adding takes?
It takes years and some people NEVER get there through lack of application. It is not an instant transition….there is no such thing as instant godliness!
d. What is Peter emphasising in verse 10a?
To pay attention to these things and be diligent in doing them.
e. What is the result of being diligent in these things? (verses 10c-11)
A person won’t fall or stagger in his Christians life and there will be a great welcome from our Lord Jesus Christ at the end of one’s earthly life.
f. What was Peter’s main aim in writing this book? (verses 12-15)
To remind his readers of these things continually…..even though they already know them, he was going to keep on reminding them.
g. What was Peter’s confidence based on? Why can we be confident too? (verses 16-18; Matthew 17:1-6)
Peter saw with his own eyes the glory and majesty of the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration….we can be confident too, because there were three witnesses of this event, and they all saw it and heard God’s voice from heaven at the same time.
h. What did Peter go on to say about it in verses 17-18 ?
That it was the voice of God the Father saying how pleased He was with His Son.
i. What is Peter saying in verses 19-21a?
He saw prophecy fulfilled in this event and we will be well advised to pay attention to the Old Testament prophecies.
j. What moved these Old Testament prophets to speak and write the things that they did? (verse 21; John 16:13-14)
It was the work of the Holy Spirit in them that inspired what they said, and we know that their writings are not fairy tales or myths as some people say.
k. How does Deuteronomy 18:21-22 say we can be sure that the prophets were from God?
That if the prophecies come true, then we know God sent them, but if nothing happens, then they haven’t been sent by God.
l. What is the challenge in this chapter for us?
It is there from the beginning to the end…..the main challenge is to be diligent in learning and obeying God’s Word.
2 Peter Two ….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
- a. What do these false prophets do? (verse 1)
They bring in totally wrong teaching, even denying that Jesus is God in the flesh.
b. What are the results of these teachings? (verses 1c-3)
The result is that they are destroyed spiritually themselves, and worse still, others will follow their teaching and cause the Christian way to fall into disrepute.
c. What does God think about these men and what will happen to them? (verses 4-6)
God will not spare them and their end result is God’s judgement.
d. What three examples does Peter give of God’s judgement on ungodliness? (verses 4-8)
i. The angels that sinned and fell with Satan and are still chained waiting for God’s
judgement
ii. The world of wicked men in Noah’s time who refused to believe
iii. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
e. Were any believers destroyed in these catastrophes? (verses 5a, 7)
No! Both Noah and family, and Lot and his daughters were delivered.
f. What are we told here that believers feel like when they have got themselves into compromising situations? What did Lot feel like living there in Sodom? (verse 8)
Lot was uneasy and annoyed by the way the Sodomites were living, he wasn’t at peace in his soul because he knew he should get out of it but didn’t have the ability to do it (probably due to social and family pressures…..he should never have gone there in the first place.)
f. What does verse 9 tell us?
That God is still in control even when everything seems to be at rock-bottom for wickedness.
g. Compare this passage with Romans 1:18-32….what do you notice about those who flout God’s laws and are rebellious against Him?
That people who do this, go from bad to worse….there is an ever increasing downward trend. They start it by refusing to acknowledge God’s existence, so God gives them up to further wickedness, and there become no boundaries to their evil ways.
h. What sort of people are described here? (verses 10-14)
People who say bad things about others and do the same or worse themselves; people who stir up trouble and accuse others.
i. Will they get away with this sort of behaviour? What are they described as being like? (verse 13)
No, they will be judged for it one day in the future….they put on a good face before others but are full of evil habits and practices.
j. Who is quoted as an example of seeming to be “good”, but who was really rotten to the core? (verses 15-16; Numbers 3-5)
Balaam who loved money and was rebuked by the donkey.
k. How are people described when they ignore God’s Word and teach others to do likewise? (verses 17-19)
As empty wells and dry clouds….they promise liberty and freedom which comes to nothing and ends in worse bondage than ever.
l. What is the end result of those who hear the Word and learn a bit about it, but really never follow it in their hearts? (verses 20-22)
It would have been better for them to have never known anything in the first place, rather than to know and then turn away from it.
m. How does Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31 expand this thought ?
These passages say there is no hope for those who deliberately refuse God’s offer after going into the subject and understanding it…they wouldn’t be able to come later even if they wanted to.
n. Read Mark 3:28-29…what is the unforgivable sin?
Refusing to listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings to turn to the Lord, and hardening one’s mind against Him….this is called the unforgivable sin.
o. What does Peter liken these sorts of people to? (verse 22)
A dog eating its own vomit or a clean pig going back to its mud bath.
p. What is the challenge for us in all this? (verse 21; James 4:17)
To be very sensitive to God’s Word and not to become stubborn and hard to what we know we should do. We should obey it NOW, TODAY, and not put it off. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring!
2 Peter Three ….(verses 1-18)
1. Verses 1-12
a. What does Peter say he is doing once more in writing this letter? (verses 1-2)
He is stirring their memory up to remember and take notice of what was written by the prophets and themselves as apostles.
b. Why is it equally important for us today to be reminded of these things? (verses 1, 3)
So we will be grounded and well rooted in the truths of God’s Word so we can stand against the scoffers when we meet them.
c. How do we know for sure that everything in the Bible is true? (Psalm 119:160; 1 Corinthians 14:37; chapter 1:20-21)
Because God has allowed these statements to be put in the Bible which men only wrote when they were inspired by God and His Holy Spirit….God says His Word is true, we believe that and that settles it!!!
d. What will happen in the last days? (verses 3-4)
Scoffers who only follow their own ideas and who are not prepared to find out the truth.
e. What do they NOT want to hear? (verses 5-6 )
About God’s power in things like the creation or the flood….they explain it all away.
f. What happened when people refused to hear Noah as he was building the ark? (verse 6; chapter 2:5)
They ended up being destroyed by the flood that Noah kept telling them was going to come.
g. What is going to happen to the earth and heavens that we see? (verse 7)
They will melt with tremendous heat and dissolve away….it will just be as though they are rolled up into nothing.
h. When will this happen? (Matthew 24:42, 44)
No-one knows….it will happen suddenly like a burglar breaking in or as an earthquake strikes.
i. How does God regard time ? (verse 8)
Time means nothing to God….He is outside of time and is in eternity….only this earth is bound by time and seasons.
j. Why is God still waiting before He winds everything up? (verse 9)
Because there are still others to come…He is waiting for them as He wants ALL men to repent.
k. What does Peter re-iterate in verse 10?
That the earth and universe as we know them, will come to an end.
l. What do verses 11-12 tell us?
In the light of this information, we are to keep ourselves living for God every day, looking forwards to it all happening…all that is in this world is going to be destroyed.
2. Verses 13-18
- a. What can believers look forwards to? (verse 13; Hebrews 11:10, 14, 16)
A new heavens and new earth…a heavenly city prepared for when there is no sin or unbelief or divisions….all will be one in Him and united in every way.
b. Seeing believers have this expectation, how should they conduct themselves? (verses 13-14 )
By living holy, godly lives, being diligent in the things of God, remembering that we are citizens of heaven, only passing through this world..
c. What is verse 15a telling us?
That it is only because of God’s patience with humans that there is any hope of salvation at all.
d. What does Peter go on to say about Paul? (verse 15b)
That he too, has written things about this topic for their learning, even if they are hard to understand.
e. What does Paul have to say about God’s patience ? (Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16)
That it brings people to repentance…he himself was an example of God’s patience.
f. How does Peter regard Paul? (verse 15)
As a beloved brother.
g. What do we see about people’s interpretation of the Scriptures (even back then)? (verse 16b)
Even back then, people were twisting the Scriptures to suit themselves and taking things out of context.
h. What is the warning in verse 17?
To be careful that we don’t do the same sort of thing.
i. What is Peter’s desire for his readers ? (verses 17b-18)
That they would continue to go on for the Lord, not being led astray by enticing words, and grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
j. How can we grow in grace and in knowing Him? (chapter 1:5-8.)
By DOING what pleases Him, and we only learn this through reading His Word and OBEYING Him!