Michael Quattlebaum

2 Peter 3:11-18

1. What is the conclusion that Peter draws from the concept that the world will one day be judged?
2. How do we behave with holy conduct and with godliness?
3. Read verse 12.  What does the word “hasten” mean?  Notice that this verse is a continuation of the previous verse.  With that in mind, how can we live in a way that hastens His coming?
4. What is the result of God’s final judgment on the world?
5. As Christians, what should we be looking toward, and hoping for? (Paul calls this the Blessed Hope in Titus 2:13)
6. Again, if we have this hope, how should we live (verse 14)?
7. How is God’s patience (remember 3:9 and 3:12) to be regarded as salvation?  What does that mean?  What does that have to do with the way we should live?
8. Peter introduces the teachings of Paul as a way to learn more about how to live.  Notice in verse 16 that Peter equates Paul’s writings with scripture.  Did Peter know he was writing scripture? (2 Peter 1:20-21)
9. How can we be on guard and prepared for Jesus’ coming?

2 Peter 3:1-10

1. What was Peter’s reason for writing this letter to Christians?
   

2. Notice in verse two that Peter puts on equal level the teaching of the prophets and the apostles.
   

3. Describe what the world will be like in the “last days.” What motivates the mockers to say that God is not real?
   

4. What event does Peter compare the last days to? Read 1 Peter 3:18-20; Matthew 24:36-41; and Genesis chapter 7 for more information about this event.
   

5. What event is described in verse 7?
   

6. Read verse 8. This verse is often quoted out of context, and is sometimes even used to argue that the 6 days of creation in Genesis are really periods of time rather than actual days. What does the verse mean?
   

7. In verse 9, who is God patient towards? In other words, who is the “you”? What is God patient about, and what does that mean to us as individual believers?
   

8. In what ways will the coming of the Lord be like a thief coming?
   

If we are indeed preparing for the coming of the Day of the Lord (which Christ returns), we should be living our lives that way. That’s the topic of next week’s lesson.

2 Peter 2:1-22

1. What were the characteristics that Paul gives of the false teachers? How were (and are) they to be identified?
   

2. How do false teachers attract people who will listen to their teaching?
   

3. What consequences to false teachers face?
   

4. Look at the examples Peter gives of God’s judgment and His mercy in verses 4-9. What is the purpose for him introducing these examples?
   

5. Read verse 9. Is this meant to be a word of encouragement? If so, how?
   
6. Make a list of the characteristics of the teachers given in verses 13-19.
   
   
7. Now look at verse 19. Explain the meaning of freedom and slavery in this verse.
   
8. How is their failure after knowing the truth worse than not even having known it?

9. Explain the analogies in verse 22.
   

2 Peter 1:12-21

1.

What was Peter’s motivation in challenging believers to righteousness (which we talked about last week?

2.

In verse 14, what is Peter talking about? How did Peter know this?

3.

What did Peter want to make sure of after he died?

4.

What event is Peter talking about in verses 17-19? (Matthew 17:1-8)

5.

What does the transfiguration have to do with Peter’s writing? How is it relevant?

6.

Explain the analogy that Peter is making with the day dawning in verse 19.

7.

Read verses 20-21. These are good verses to memorize. If prophecy is not a matter of interpretation, what does this mean about our view of scripture?

8. Did Peter know that he was writing scripture when he wrote verse 21? If so, how did he know this? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2 Peter 1:1-11

1.

Who is 2 Peter being written to? For what purpose was it written?

2.

What do we have to be thankful to God for?

3.

What promises has God offered us? How has God kept these promises?

4.

What is Peter’s expectation of how we should live our lives as believers?

5.

How are we to apply righteous living? In what ways? How often?

6.

Is the list given in verses 5-7 a progressive list?

7.

If we are living righteously, should we be satisfied with where we are? If not, what should we be striving for?

8.

What are the results or consequences of our not following Christ in our lives and the way we live?

9.

How is our entrance to heaven more abundantly supplied when we live rightly?