Week of 4/24 Scripture to Memorize: 2 Peter 1:21 Day 1 Read: 2 Peter ...
Week of 4/24 Scripture to Memorize: 2 Peter 1:21 Day 1 Read: 2 Peter 1:16 Reflect: What was the key quality that made Peter’s testimony valid? Consider: The terms dynamis (“power”) and parousia (“coming”) should be interpreted together.19 They do not designate two different things but speak of the “powerful coming” of Jesus Christ. When Jesus returns, he will return in power (cf. Matt 25:31; 2 Thess 1:7–10).1 Respond: What are some modern examples of “cleverly devised myths” that can steer Christians away from the truth? Why is an unwavering belief in the authority of God’s word so important for the believer? Day 2 Read: 2 Peter 1:17-18 Reflect: To what event is Peter referring? (See Matthew 17:1-13) Consider: Interestingly Peter was more profoundly impressed by what he heard than what he saw on that sacred mountain. The voice that came from heaven, the voice of God the Father, called the Majestic Glory (an unusual name for God), spoke approvingly of the Son.2 Respond: How do you typically process things you learn from and about God? Is it typically by reading? Listening? Experiencing? Is it necessary to have balance in your personal spiritual growth? Why or why not? Day 3 Read: 2 Peter 1:19-20 Reflect: What is inferred about God’s word in these verses? Consider: Peter was not suggesting that the Bible is more certain than the experience he had on the Mount of Transfiguration. His experience was real and true, and the record in the Bible is dependable. As we have seen, 1
Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 312. 2 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 868.
the Transfiguration was a demonstration of the promise given in the prophetic Word; and this promise now has added certainty because of what Peter experienced. The Transfiguration experience corroborated the prophetic promises.3 Respond: What do these verses tell you about the role that commentaries and other study guides play in your personal Bible study? How have you been guilty of elevating other written works equal to, or even above scripture? Day 4 Read: 2 Peter 1:21 Reflect: What is the inspirational source of Scripture? Consider: This verse explains why verse 20 is true. The first assertion is that the interpretation of the prophetic message is not dependent on human power, because the prophetic message did not come about by the impulse of man. Another way of saying it is that no prophecy is of human origin, since it always originates from God.4 Respond: How much do you rely on the Holy Spirit when studying the scriptures? Why is that a crucial element of any Bible study? Day 5 Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Reflect: For what does Paul tell Timothy the scriptures are profitable? Consider: But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is Godbreathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.5 Respond: What areas of your life have you turned to other authorities rather than scripture to get you through a difficult time? What steps will you take in order to make the study of God’s Word a priority in your life?
3
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 444. Daniel C. Arichea and Howard Hatton, A Handbook on the Letter from Jude and the Second Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 100. 5 Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 2 Tim 3:14–17. 4
Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 312. 2 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 868.
the Transfiguration was a demonstration of the promise given in the prophetic Word; and this promise now has added certainty because of what Peter experienced. The Transfiguration experience corroborated the prophetic promises.3 Respond: What do these verses tell you about the role that commentaries and other study guides play in your personal Bible study? How have you been guilty of elevating other written works equal to, or even above scripture? Day 4 Read: 2 Peter 1:21 Reflect: What is the inspirational source of Scripture? Consider: This verse explains why verse 20 is true. The first assertion is that the interpretation of the prophetic message is not dependent on human power, because the prophetic message did not come about by the impulse of man. Another way of saying it is that no prophecy is of human origin, since it always originates from God.4 Respond: How much do you rely on the Holy Spirit when studying the scriptures? Why is that a crucial element of any Bible study? Day 5 Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Reflect: For what does Paul tell Timothy the scriptures are profitable? Consider: But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is Godbreathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.5 Respond: What areas of your life have you turned to other authorities rather than scripture to get you through a difficult time? What steps will you take in order to make the study of God’s Word a priority in your life?
3
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 444. Daniel C. Arichea and Howard Hatton, A Handbook on the Letter from Jude and the Second Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 100. 5 Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 2 Tim 3:14–17. 4
