Jessica Godfrey

Read 2 Peter 2.

1. What does this text tell you about the character of God?

2. What does it say about God’s nature?

3. Where do you see God’s love at work in the midst of these verses?

4. What section or verses in the text speak most personally to you? 

Reflect on the verses at the beginning of the text, verses 1-2 and answer the following questions:

5. What’s the primary purpose of Peter’s direction here? 

6. What’s the difference between a false prophet and a false teacher? 

7. What does it mean to “deny the Sovereign Lord?” 

To deny Jesus Christ is to deny His incarnation, that He left heaven and came to this earth. To deny Jesus Christ is to deny His salvation, that He lived the perfect life that we could never live, and then paid the atoning death. To deny Jesus Christ is to deny His substitution, that He bore our sins, that He took our punishment. To deny Jesus Christ is to deny His resurrection, that He conquered death and He promises to us eternal life. And to deny Jesus Christ is to deny His ascension, that He’s actually seated at the right hand of God and is worthy of our praise and worship. In a nutshell — to deny Jesus is to deny Christianity — to deny Christianity is to deny Jesus.

9. How important is “right doctrine” in our world?

10. How have you seen wrong doctrine seep into the Church, or into lives  of Jesus followers? 

11. How do you resist the temptation of falling into false teaching? 

Reflect on the words of Jesus as recorded Matthew 23.1-15, Matthew 7.16-20 and answer the following questions:

12. How does the passion of Jesus encourage, inspire, and convict? 

13. Specifically, what does Jesus mean when He uses the word “fruit”? 

Reflect on verses 2 Peter 2 10-14, 18-19, and answer the following questions: 

14. Why does Peter gives so much attention to the details of the “fruit” of these false teachers? 

15. How do you examine the fruit of teachers?

16. How do you self-examine? 

Reflect on verses 2 Peter 2.4-10, and answer the following questions: 

17. What do these verses say about Divine Justice and Divine Judgement? 

Jesus holds our belief and our behavior together. Reflect on the following verses and answer the following questions:

•  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14.15)

• “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” (Matt. 7.24)

• By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13.35)

18. How is your theology not merely stated, but lived? 

19. Where are their gaps between your orthodoxy, and orthopraxy? 

20. How do you sense God leading you in living a fully  congruent life?

21. Who is joining you on this journey of healing, wholeness and holiness? 

22. How do you find yourself joining others on their journey?  

Spend time standing in God’s presence on behalf of our neighbors and neighborhood. 

Read 2 Peter 1.

1. What does this text tell you about the character of God?

2. What does it say about God’s nature?

3. Where do you see God’s love at work in the midst of these verses?

4. What section or verses in the text speak most personally to you? 

Reflect on the verses at the beginning of the text, verses 1-2 and answer the following questions:

5. Why does Peter include his credentials?

6. How “precious” is your faith?

7. Where are you currently experiencing grace and peace in abundance?

8. Where are you extending grace and peace to someone else?

Reflect on the (mind blowing) verses 3-4 and answer the following questions:

9. What does it mean to receive His “divine nature”?

10. How do these verses compliment Psalm 23.1?

11. When are you most tempted to believe you are lacking, or are not complete, or don’t have everything you need?

12. Read Ephesians 1.18-23. What’s the essence of these verses?

13. How is His power displayed in your ordinary, everyday life?

14. What are some of your favorite promises of Jesus?

15. How have you experienced the reality of His promises?

16. Where are you waiting for His promises to be revealed?

Reflect on verse 5-11 and answer the following questions:

17. What is Peter advocating for here?

18. Where are you currently learning to “live into” the divine nature that has been given to you?

19. How can those around you join you in that journey?

Reflect on verse 17-18 and answer the following questions:

20. Why is it this phrase Peter repeats to the churches?

21. How does his testimony encourage you?

22. What does it look like for you to rest in your belovedness?

23. What passages bring you comfort during anxious times or times of need?

Spend time standing in God’s presence on behalf of our neighbors and neighborhood. 

1 Peter 5:1 “I appeal as a fellow elder”. Peter could have stated a higher position for himself (first among equals, Jesus’ choice to build the church, etc.), but instead he established himself as an equal.

1.What does this tell you about the character of Peter as well as the desire to be sincere and connect with these elders?

Peter list several actions for elders in 1 Peter 5:2-3:

• Shepherd God’s flock
• Watch over them
• Do this with a willing attitude
• Be eager to serve
• Be an example to the flock

2. Of these actions, which do most identify with as a leader at work or at home?
3. What motivates you to conduct yourself according to these requirements from
Peter?

Think for a few minutes and try to visualize what the crown of glory will look like.

4. Describe your thoughts. Please share why you think it will look as you visualize it.

5. What are some ways we followers can submit ourselves to our Elders?

Elder refers to maturity.

6. Is there an age or “maturity” you equate with being an Elder?

1 Peter 5:5 tells us to “clothe yourself with humility towards one another”.

7. How do we do this?

8. How does Psalm 139 :23-24 speak to you about being humble?

I really feel as though Peter gets very personal in vs 7. “Cast all your anxiety on
Him because He cares for you.” Knowing the persecution of Christians that was
starting to occur as well as the hostility toward Christians from people of other
religions (Alexandria the metal worker and the worshipers of the goddess Artemis
Acts 19:23-41), the readers of this letter must have been comforted by his words.

9. What passages bring you comfort during anxious times or times of need?

Our enemy has many descriptions. Peter describes him as “prowling around like a
lion looking for someone to devour”. Paul describes him as “masquerading as an
angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Job 1:7 says he was “roaming throughout the earth,
going back and forth on it” Satan is our enemy.

10. What assurances do we have that God will protect us from him?

1.When was a time when life has gone differently than you expected or wanted? How has that season impacted your relationship with God?

2. Why do you think that Peter talked about the reality of suffering, but not how to avoid it?

3. What does it look like for you to arm your mind with the same way of thinking as Jesus?

4. Have you ever been maligned because you chose to live differently because of Jesus? How does 1 Peter 2:11 encourage you in these spaces?

5. What does 1 Peter 4:7 say about what must be true of believers as the end of all things comes near? Why do you think Peter puts such an emphasis on our ability to be prayerful here?

6. Peter challenges us to not forget three things: to arm your mind, remember the just judge, and to check the clock. Which of these reminders is especially helpful for you today?

7. In light of the end of all things, Peter gives some simple and practical direction on how to live in verses 8-11. How does this simplicity challenge today? 

8. 1 Peter 4:12-18, reminds us that all suffering is normal and is a chance to bring glory to God. How does this reminder encourage you today?

9. In regard to the suffering that we experience and witness in our world, how does the following quote from Tim Keller encourage you?

“If we ask…Why does God allow evil and suffering to continue? And we look at the cross of Jesus, we still do not know what the answer is. However, we know what the answer isn’t. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us.” Tim Keller – Reason for God

10. How is God inviting you to entrust your soul to a faithful Creator today?

11. How is God encouraging you to “do good” this week as you follow and trust him?