God S Word Is Trustworthy in All Ways

With Trust

God’s Word is trustworthy in all ways.

2 Peter 1:12-21

Memory Verse: 2 peter 1:21

Prepare to lead the Group Time

READ 2 Peter 1:12-21, First Thoughts, and Understand the Context. Reflect on Peter’s mind-set in sharing final thoughts before his death. How does this context undergird the significance of his words?

Study 2 Peter 1:12-21, using Explore the Text. As you study, notice the types or sources of revelation identified by Peter. How does each type or source reinforce that God’s Word is trustworthy? Consult the Explore the Bible Commentary (available in print and digital format at LifeWay.com) for additional insight.

Plan the group time using the ideas under Lead Group Bible Study and More Ideas. Refer to the resources at Blog.LifeWay.com/ExploretheBible for more ideas.

Grow from expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/Web/ExploretheBible).

Gather the following items:Personal Study Guides; and Copies of PACK ITEM 5(Bookmark: Memory Verses) if needed. For More Ideas, locate:A recording of the children’s song
“The B-I-B-L-E.” Display the following Pack Item: PACK ITEM 4(Time Line: 1,2 Peter; Jude).

LEAD Group Bible Study

Focus Attention (First Thoughts)

GUIDE: Lead the group to identify ways people get information today. Responses may include social media, broadcast and printed news, and other people.

DISCUSS: What individuals or sources do you consider trustworthy? How did you reach this conclusion about them? In your opinion, why does “trustworthiness” seem so hard to come by today? (PSG, p. 112)

TRANSITION: In today’s session, Peter stressed trustworthiness of the Scriptures. Peter believed that through eyewitness accounts and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the process of writing, his readers could trust the Word of God to give them everything that they needed to know about God and the gospel.

Explore the Text

READ: Invite a volunteer to read 2 Peter 1:12-15, listening for two major themes in Peter’s message (reminders about spiritual truths and his approaching death).

EXPLAIN: Peter seemed to have an awareness that his death was imminent, and he desired to wake up the believers who were listening to the lies of the false teachers. The word meaning “wake up” could also be translated as “stir up” or “arouse.”

STUDY: Lead everyone to locate three specific references to reminders about spiritual truths in verses 12-15.

DISCUSS:Why would it be important to remind even mature believers of the truth? If you knew your time was short, what spiritual reminders would you give to those close to you? (PSG, p. 114)

EMPHASIZE:Peter spent his remaining time on earth strengthening believers. Draw attention to Pack Item 4 (Time Line: 1,2 Peter; Jude), and use the information under Verse 14 (PSG, p. 115) to point out Peter’s martyrdom in Rome.

ASK: What are practical ways we could strengthen others in their faith? (PSG, p. 115)

READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud 2 Peter 1:16-18, as others listen for the comparison between myths and eyewitnesses.

EXPLAIN: Both Greek and Roman religion were filled with myths about their gods, but they had no historical basis. Peter wanted his readers to know that this was not the case with Christianity. He made sure he clearly tied Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection to history. He had firsthand knowledge of Jesus and referenced the transfiguration in verses 17-18. Use information under Verses 16-18 for further explanation.

STUDY: Form three teams. Assign each team one of the following passages about the transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; and Luke 9:28-36. Allow time for the teams to review the passage and prepare a report of the transfiguration as if they were a live-action news crew. Ask: What details would the cameras zoom in on? What audio would be recorded? Whom would you interview, and what questions would you ask? Invite the teams to share reports with the rest of the group.

SHARE: The words of the Father to Jesus at His transfiguration (v. 17) mirrored His words at Jesus’ baptism. Hearing the heavenly voice proclaim that God was well pleased with His Son was a validation that the honor and glory Jesus received on the mountain were legitimate.

DISCUSS:How would you handle critics who question the divine nature of Jesus? What would be the value of having eyewitness accounts when addressing a critic? (PSG, p. 117)

TRANSITION: Peter turned from eyewitness accounts to the prophetic words of the Old Testament Scriptures.

READ: Invite a volunteer to read 2 Peter 1:19-21, as the group listens for imagery that refers to light and morning.

EXPLAIN: Use the information under Verse 19 (PSG, pp. 117-118) to explain the day or morning star. Peter reminded his readers that God’s written Word was the result of God speaking through men.

STUDY: Lead the group to search the information under Verse 21 (PSG, pp. 118-119) and today’s memory verse (2 Peter 1:21) to identify the roles of God, the Holy Spirit, and those who wrote the Bible.

DISCUSS:How would you explain the inspiration of the Scriptures to someone who wonders why they should believe a book written by humans? (PSG, p. 119)

Summarize and Challenge (In My Context)

DISCUSS:How does 2 Peter 1:12-21 support the truth that God’s Word is trustworthy at all times? Invite the group to share additional insights gained.

RECAP: Read the statements under In My Context (PSG, p. 120) to present a summary of the study: Believers can remind each other of the truth of the gospel and the Scriptures. Believers can affirm the power of the gospel through the demonstrations of that power that they have witnessed. The Bible is reliable and can be trusted as the Word of God.

TESTIFY: Lead the group to answer the second question set under In My Context (PSG, p. 120): How have you seen God demonstrate the power of the gospel in your own life? How can you share with others what you have experienced? Invite volunteers to share their responses with the group. Suggest that individuals identify one person with whom they will share their experience this week.

PRAY: Thank God for the truth and power of God’s Word. Praise Him for the Holy Spirit who guides us as we encounter those who are skeptical about the Bible’s message.

Practice

Based on Peter’s example, reflect on the time you will “lay aside your tent.” What do you need to say or do in the meantime? Prayerfully take action.
Email the group, reminding them you are praying as they share their firsthand experience with God’s power.
Contact those who were absent. Inquire about prayer requests, and invite them to be present for the next session.

More Ideas

Focus attention (first thoughts)

To replace the focus idea, play a recording of the children’s song “The B-I-B-L-E.” Lead the group in listening to it or singing along with the recording. Encourage them to stand up on the phrase “I stand.” Discuss: As an adult, what does it mean to “stand alone on the Word of God”? What are times or circumstances in which people are called to stand on God’s Word?

Explore the text

To supplement the discussion about Peter’s impending death, use information under Verse 13 to explain Peter’s imagery of a tent. Invite a volunteer to read 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, in which Paul used the tent imagery to describe the difference in his earthly life, which was temporary, and his spiritual nature, which was eternal. Discuss: What other imagery could be used to describe the temporary nature of the earthly body?
To provide context for 2 Peter 1:12-15, give a mini-lecture about the transfiguration. Discuss: What is the most amazing demonstration of God’s power you have witnessed? How would you respond to someone who was skeptical about your experience?

To enhance the discussion of 2 Peter 1:19-21 and emphasize today’s memory verse (2 Peter 1:21), direct the group to complete the Bible Skill activity in the PSG on page 119.

summarize and challenge (in my context)

As an alternative challenge for the group, lead them to discuss the third question set (PSG, p. 120): How do you approach those who are skeptical about the message of the Bible? Record ways you could use passages studied in this session to address the skeptic. Lead the group to brainstorm ways they can use passages studied in this session to address a skeptic. Suggest that the group write their responses in the margin of the PSG for reference after the session.

SUGGESTED music idea

Read “Word of God, Across the Ages,” by Ferdinand Q. Blanchard, responsively. Read one line, and ask the group to read the next line in unison. Invite them to identify other hymns that celebrate God’s Word, such as “Thy Word,” “Holy Bible, Book Divine,” and “Wonderful Words of Life.” Sing a verse of these as time permits.