Join us as we study through 2 Peter verse by verse. Our discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications can help you or your small group get the most out of this book as you grow in understanding and obedience.
2 Peter 1:12-21 Inductive Bible Study With Discussion Questions – Small Group Study Guide Lesson Notes
2 Peter 1:12-21 Bible Study Video
2 Peter 1:12-21 Podcast
Outline
I. Reminders are important (12-15)
II. We preached truth from God (16-21)
I. Reminders are important (12-15).
Discussion Questions
• What word/theme is repeated in these verses?
• What qualities was Peter reminding them of?
• What did Peter believe was going to happen to him soon? Why did he think this?
• Why are reminders so important?
• If you could choose to be taught something new or reminded of something you have learned before, which would you choose? Why?
• What Bible passages show us that reminders and remembering are important?
• How can you remind yourself of important things you have learned or applications you have made?
Cross References
Isaiah 46:9 – Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
Deuteronomy 6:12 – Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Psalm 77:11 – I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
John 21:18-19 – Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Reminders are important – In verses 12-15 Peter uses the words “remind” or “recall” three times. He is reminding the saints about the importance of godly Christian character, qualities listed out in verses 5-8. First, he says, “I intend always to remind you of these qualities.” From this we see that frequent reminders are necessary.
The occasional reminder is not enough. He also says, “to stir you up by way of reminder.” The reminders were meant to serve a purpose. That purpose was to encourage action. Perhaps due to forgetfulness, they were growing passive and needed a kick to get up and start to take action. Thirdly, he says “you may be able at any time to recall these things.” Effective reminders mean that people can fully remember what they are supposed to and can recall it at any time. That is the difference between straining to remember the words or reference of a verse and being able to instantly quote it perfectly.
The concept of remembering is very important in the Bible. God repeats commands many times. He repeats His covenants. He reminds His people of what He has done for them. The same lessons and principles are taught again and again. The reason is simple. We are forgetful. We have short-term memories. These short-term memories apply both to blessings God has given us and negative consequences of sin. We are quick to forget the good God has done in our lives and therefore complain more against Him (See Exodus 34).
We are also quick to forget the consequences of sin and therefore keep sinning against God. But God commands us many times in the Bible to not forget. He commands us to remember. Why do we forget? We forget because we don’t value something enough. We forget because we don’t make the proper effort to remember.
Often times Christians are more interested in learning something new from Scripture than reviewing something learned before. Preachers often delight in sharing some new insight, theory, or detail. However, we would do well to remember what the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” The Bible has been complete for almost 2000 years. There are not many completely new ideas. And if there is something that is completely new, then very possibly it is not orthodox at all.
Athletes often repeat the same regime every day. Farmers go through the same process to grow their crops. The life of a disciple is really not that complicated. We often know what to do, but either forget or don’t do it.
What can you do to make sure you don’t forget? Here are a few ideas:
• Every year write down things you are thankful for and put them in a jar. Then the next year bring it out, review the past years’ blessings and add new thanksgivings inside. You can do this at New Year or Thanksgiving if you celebrate it.
• Keep a journal. Include special thanksgivings, blessings, or answers to prayer inside. Review it from time to time.
• Write a song, book, or poem based on what God has done in your life.
• Instead of a normal Christmas tree (or Chinese New Year orange tree), have a memorial tree. Specially select things to put on the tree which remind you of God’s grace shown to you throughout the years.
• Hang Scripture or Scripture calligraphy around your home.
• Make a memorial quilt.
• Record special moments of God’s grace in your life with pictures and then make a memorial photo album.
• Teach your children what God has done in your life. Your children can become something like a living memorial of God’s grace to you.
2. Remind you of these qualities – The qualities are those mentioned in verses 5-7. These are many of the basic character qualities that should belong to and be increasing in the life of every disciple. The Christian life is a continuous battle. Every day we struggle against temptation, often coming from our old nature. A follower of Christ should never become complacent or satisfied with himself. Instead, we must push forward daily, and as we learned in the last lesson, “make every effort” to be growing in these areas.
Application: In the last lesson, one application was to choose one of the qualities listed and make a specific application as to how you would improve in that area during the last week. Did you do it? What is one additional area you can focus on this week? List out one specific way you will grow in that area.
3. The putting off of my body will be soon – Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him in regards to how he would die (John 21:18-19). Peter knew that he would be martyred one day for his faith in Christ. And he believed that time would be soon. But notice what Peter does when he believes his time is approaching. He sits down to write a letter and exhort the church to live out and grow their faith.
You can see what priorities a person has by observing what they do when they are given a short time to live. Many people these days have what they call a “bucket list”. These lists normally are places they want to go and things they want to do. I just did a quick search on Google for “a great bucket list”. Here are the top eight suggestions in the top result:
• Ride horses on the beach.
• Go bungee jumping.
• Take a hot air balloon ride.
• Visit an elephant sanctuary.
• Attend the Olympics.
• Be in the Saturday Night Live audience.
• Be in a parade float.
• Ride a mechanical bull.
There are many such ideas about travel and adventure. I did also find some about health and well-being. One of them, for example, was “compliment yourself every day in the mirror.” I scanned through one list of 150 ideas. Do you know what I didn’t see on the list even once? Sharing the gospel, making a disciple, writing a letter to encourage people to follow Jesus. Most people’s bucket lists are focused on themselves, things that they want to do or enjoy. Peter focused on others. He was “making every effort” on their behalf.
Application: If you knew you didn’t have much time left, what would you spend your time doing? In fact, we don’t know how much time we have left. So what do you spend your time doing?
The way you spend your time reveals who you are, no matter how much time you think you have left. So I would like each of you to take a few minutes to start your spiritual bucket list. Write down things which you hope to do for God as His disciple before you die.
These are long term goals which you can begin working on. The list you write now should be considered a starter list. Save it and keep working on it. It is important to have good and clear long-term goals. If you don’t have good goals, don’t be surprised if you don’t go anywhere. Step one, have good long-term goals. Step two, make every effort to finish them!