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2 Peter Bible Study Questions
Deciding on a Life of Godliness
Introduction to 2 Peter Bible Study Questions
A brother recently wrote asking about his seeming inability to conquer the tendency to find intimate relationships with women other than his wife. As I read through 2 Peter, I sensed the Lord was showing me the great relevancy of 2 Peter to this issue.
So whether you are personally struggling with your lusts or might need to counsel someone that is, go through this study on 2 Peter and discover the most crucial teachings that are necessary to lead someone to a full knowledge of Christ and His glory. Key issues focused on here include: God's promises, divine power, godly living, judgment, and lifestyle.
Ideally, it would be good to isolate yourself from the phone for at least a thirty minute period for each of the five studies. Start the first few sessions by reading the three chapters of 2 Peter once or twice rather quickly. Star any verses that seem to speak strongly to you as you read. You can come back to them after your study is over. Below is more information on the style of questions.
Before you start, pray and ask that God would in His graciousness and holiness show you all your sins and the terribleness of them and give you a love for godliness. In conclusion, write down the commitments He is leading you to take.
Dear Lord of Creation, sensuality has penetrated the hearts of your people. But why, O Lord, do we call you Lord when we don't obey You? Why do we seem to love feeding our lusts more than serving others in pure and genuine love? Are we really yours? If so, empower us. If not, convert us. But please, let us not face the terrible judgment in which the heavens will be destroyed by burning. Instead give us hearts to love and seek your heavenly kingdom. In Christ's Name we pray, Amen.
Study Questions based on the NASB
1. God's Mighty Weapons [2 Peter 1:1-4]
• Who is Peter writing to? (2 Peter 1:1)
• How is "grace and peace" to be multiplied to our lives? (2 Peter 1:2)
• What has been given every Christian? Why is this given to us? (2 Peter 1:3)
• How does one gain these things (i.e. become a Christian)? (2 Peter 1:3)
• What magnificent things has He given to every believer? (2 Peter 1:4)
• What is the purpose of having these great things? (2 Peter 1:4)
• By what means is the corruption in the world? By __________ (2 Peter 1:4)
Advanced and Application Questions on 2 Peter 1:1-4
* Would you identify yourself as one of these people Peter wrote to? Why? What happened in your life that makes you think this is true of yourself?
* Would you say that a Christian has everything he needs to live a godly life? What are those things?
* What do you say to a professing Christian who says he doesn't have power to live a godly life? What are some excuses for sensual living that you have made or heard? What would you say to these people making these excuses from 2 Peter 1:1-4?
2. Stepping Ahead [2 Peter 1:5-11]
• In verses 1:5-7 there are a number of steps given. Write the progression down (2 Peter 1:5-7).
in ________________, supply _________________
in ________________, supply _________________
in ________________, (supply) _________________
in ________________, (supply) _________________
in ________________, (supply) _________________
in ________________, (supply) _________________
in ________________, (supply) _________________.
• What two conditions are needed in order to bear fruit for the Lord? (2 Peter 1:8)
• What three ways does he describe those that lack these qualities? (2 Peter 1:9)
____________________ _______________________ _________________________
• What two things are we to be diligent doing? (2 Peter 1:10)
• Is it possible for a Christian not to stumble? What is needed to do this? (2 Peter 1:10)
• What is the result of those who practice these things? (2 Peter 1:11)
Advanced and Application Questions on 2 Peter 1:5-11
* Many Christians think it is impossible to walk without falling. How would you answer them on the basis of this passage? What is your perspective on this matter? Where have you picked up this perspective? Is it in agreement to these verses?
* Christians often struggle with whether a person can loose their salvation. What do these verses say about this? How important would you say it is to be diligent about the way you live? What does Peter say about this?
* Quickly look at the steps of growth. Where do you have the greatest success? The greatest problem? Try to think the reasons for this.
3. Remembering the Truth [2 Peter 1:12-21]
• What is it that Peter is so ready to remind his readers of even though they have heard it before? (2 Peter 1:12)
• What does Peter want to do by reminding us? (2 Peter 1:13-14)
• What else does he want to do by reminding us? Why is this necessary? (2 Peter 1:15)
• When Peter shared the gospel with them, what did he make known to them? (2 Peter 1:16)
• Peter was an _______________ of Christ's majesty. (2 Peter 1:16 {fill in})
• What is it that the Majestic Glory said? (2 Peter 1:17)
• How should we respond to what Peter has written here? (2 Peter 1:19)
• Are the scriptures reliable? Why so? (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Advanced and Application Questions on 2 Peter 1:12-21
* Do you have a problem remembering the important parts of God's truth? What steps have you taken to actually remember these essential truths?
* Some people do not think it is important to hassle over interpretations? They are basically saying that it doesn't matter what interpretation they hold to or believe. How would you answer them from this section?
* Do you think the scriptures are spoken by God? Do you consistently live out the scriptures in your life? Why or why not?
4. The Ways of the Ungodly [2 Peter 2:1-22]
• What do false prophets and teachers introduce among God's people? (2 Peter 2:1)
• Will people follow these sensual teachings? What will happen as a result? (2 Peter 2:2-3)
• How did God deal with the angels that sinned? (2 Peter 2:4)
• How did the Lord deal with the ancient world and their ungodliness? (2 Peter 2:5)
• What did God do to the two ungodly cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? (2 Peter 2:6)
• Is God able to rescue His people from temptation? What example does he give? (2 Peter 2:7-9)
• Besides rescuing the righteous, what else does the Lord know how to do? (2 Peter 2:9)
• What two sins are particularly mentioned early on in verse 10? (2 Peter 2:10-11)
• Describe what these people will grow to be like if not restrained? (2 Peter 2:12-15)
• How did God restrain Balaam (2 Peter 2:15-16)
• What is it that these wicked people promise? What do they really offer? (2 Peter 2:17-19)
• What kind of person is he describing in 2 Peter 2:20-22? Write down the proverb cited.
Advanced and Application Questions on 2 Peter 2:1-22
* Chapter 2 focuses on false teachers. It is a fact that those who do wrong encourage others to do wrong. Have you ever been encouraged to do wrong by another? Give one or two examples? Have you yourself ever taught or encouraged others to do wrong? Have you confessed this sin?
* What are the result of these people if they do not repent? What keeps them from repenting? Are you immoral? What is the result of your sensuality?
* I have heard many Christians excuse themselves from looking at women with lust. One excuse is, "We are all like that." How does the phrase, "Having eyes of adultery" apply to them? How might we warn them from this chapter?
* Many people wonder if it is important to live righteous lives? How does the phrase, "by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved" speak to a person's real love in this life? Are you ensnared by any sin? Do you love this sin or the Lord more?
5. Living Godly Lives in the Last Days [2 Peter 3:1-18]
• What is Peter trying to do by writing 2 Peter? (2 Peter 3:1-2)
• Did Peter see any difference in the authority of Old Testament prophets or what the apostles have written? (2 Peter 3:2)
• What kind of people will arise in these last days? What will they be led by? (2 Peter 3:3)
• What will these people say? (2 Peter 3:4)
• How does verses 5-6 show that their claim has no substance? (2 Peter 3:5-6)
• God is keeping the present heavens and earth for judgment. How will God judge them? (2 Peter 3:7)
• Finish the phrase, with the Lord one day is .... . (2 Peter 3:8)
• Why is God delaying judgment? (2 Peter 3:9)
• What will happen when the Lord decides it is time for judgment? (2 Peter 3:10)
• Because of this kind of judgment, how then shall we live? (2 Peter 3:11)
• Because of the day of God, what two things are we told to do? (2 Peter 3:12)
• Describe what we are to be looking for? (2 Peter 3:13)
• When He comes, what three things should characterize us? (2 Peter 3:14)
• How should we regard the mockers' accusation that the Lord isn't coming? (2 Peter 3:15)
• The words,"Rest of the scriptures" show whose writings are inspired by God? (2 Peter 3:15-16)
• In conclusion, Peter tells us to do two things (2 Peter 3:17-18):
1)
2)
Advanced and Application Questions on 2 Peter 3:1-18
* What teaching that denies a creation has gained popularity around the world? Have you accepted any of the tenets of evolution? How are the teachings of creation and judgment connected? Do you believe in both a literal creation as well as in judgment? Why so? Does your life reflect this belief?
* God has purposely delayed judgment. Why? How often do you seek and hasten its coming? Are you living more godly lives because of these thoughts or have you not remembered these teachings?
* If a person follows his lust, he will eventually develop bad teachings. Do you accept the scriptures' teachings or do you act as if you are above them? When was the last time you changed your behavior or attitude because of the scripture's teachings?
* How have you guarded yourself from lusts and false teachers?
* List two ways you have grown in the Lord in the last month?
Information on the Question Format
• Basic Questions •
These answers will be found right in the Bible passage and are marked by an •. The NASB text is used because it is most literal (though not always best). These questions encourage one to ask, "What does the passage actually say?"
* Advanced and Application Questions *
Advanced and application questions are combined together in the Advanced Questions and are marked by an *. These answers will not be found in the text as the basic questions. One has to use other knowledge that one has gleaned over the years to answer these questions properly. They are meant to encourage one to dig deeper into the point of the passage. These questions would have one ask, "What does it mean?"
Application questions are meant to be personal and have to do with ones own life. These questions encourage one to ask, "What does the passage mean to me?"
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