3:17-18

Today's Scripture

Now you've finished this devotional. You've been "forewarned" as Peter tells his readers. You've read about how people want to corrupt the truth and lead you into believing things that aren't true. You've read about how you need to know the truth and know God because therein lies your ability to stand firm in what you know. Keep these truths close to your heart and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Pursue Him with everything you are because in Him are riches of wisdom and love and grace. And without Him you'll never be able to stand firm in this glorious faith. He is worth all the time, energy, and effort you can give to following hard after Him.

Study Questions:

1. How can you "be on your guard" this summer?

2. What will you do to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"?

3. Make a list of specific things you will do in your pursuit of knowing God and His word.

3:15-16

Today's Scripture

Sometimes it is difficult to understand the things of the Bible. Peter admits here that some of the things that Paul writes are hard to understand. So what hope do we have if even Peter struggled? We have the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. If we are depedent on Him, He will give us understanding and stability in the Word of God just as He gave Paul and the other writers the wisdom to write it.

Study Questions:

1. What does it mean for our understanding of Scripture that God gave Paul the wisdom to write what he wrote but some of it is difficult to comprehend? What does that say about Scripture?

2. When people distort Scripture, it is to their own destruction. Is that what you anticipate happening? In what way would people be destroyed by their distortion of Scripture?

3. What will you do to guard yourself against distorting and/or misunderstanding Scripture?

3:14

Today's Scripture

“Mom does everyone set goals for themselves?” Christian asked. “Most people do,” answered his mom. Christian and his mom were talking about goals. Christian learned that a goal is when someone has their mind set on something and tries to direct every bit of their effort to reaching that thing their mind and heart was set on. Christian’s mom gave him an example: if a boy had his heart set on growing up to play in the NFL he would strive and do his best in football to reach the NFL.

In 2nd Peter 3:14 we have three goals that Peter has asked us to Strive for. Since we are looking forward to a new heaven and earth the goals are to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.

Study Questions:

1. Are you looking forward to the same thing Peter has asked us to look forward to (take a look at 2 Peter 3:11-13)?

2. When Peter says “make every effort” does this mean working in your own strengths? (Look over chapter 1)

3. What does it mean to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him?

4. Are you “making every effort” to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him? If not what is standing in your way?

5. What are some things you can change to begin living a life that is spotless, blameless and at peace with God?

3:11-13

Today's Scripture


Just as the earth was judged in the past, it will one day be judged again and like Noah, we are called to prepare for that day. Grasping this truth should bring about a change in your life. What you are looking forward will be evident in how you live your life. It is the driving force behind your actions, your choices and your words.

When God called the Israelites to be holy, He wanted them to act different from the world around them. They were a special people, chosen by God, and they were to live their lives for Him. This is true for us who confess Christ as Lord. We are to separate ourselves from the sinfulness of this world and set our heart on what is pleasing to God. Maintaining a godly life involves growing in your knowledge of Him and then putting into practice what you learn. It’s not just hearing the Word of God, but actually living it!

Study Questions:

1. Have you truly grasped the truth that one day the Lord will return?

2. Should this change how you live your life and look at your future? Why or why not?

3. Is there evidence in your life that reflects your choice of living a holy and godly life?

4. Are you ready to make a change? What are some practical steps you can begin taking to help you live a life characterized by holiness and godliness?

3:10

Today's Scripture

What do we know about how theives come? Do they send you a postcard in the mail first? Do they hang out at your house for a week before they rob you? Do they make a lot of noise and yell "I'm here to rob you" when they come? Of course not. A thief comes with no announcement, suddenly and quietly. In the same way Christ will come back for us suddenly. He won't send us a bunch of signs first. The sign of Him coming will be when He comes. We'll know He's coming when He gets here. So our job in the meantime is to always be ready. Live every day like He's coming today. Continue making plans and living life, but do so with the knowledge that at any time He may interupt it all and take us home.

Study Questions:

1. The word 'thief' is a metaphor for the way Christ will come. In what ways will He not be like a thief?

2. Do you look forward to Christ coming back? Why or why not? If you want to be more excited about His coming look up Scriptures about Heaven and being with Him and how things will be there.

3. How do you continue to live your life while hoping in the fact that Christ could come back anytime?

3:8-9

Today's Scripture

Jesus has not returned to the earth yet so that more people may be saved. God's desire is that all would repent. Sometimes it seems like this earth is so wicked and we cannot understand why God lets it continue. But at this very moment there are people walking around that do not know Him that He wants to bring to Himself. Think of people you know that haven't accepted Christ as savior yet. It may be for them and others like them that the Lord waits to come back and get us. When you feel discouraged about the state of this world, remember that it only continues because all over the world God is still saving people, bringing them into new life with Himself.

Study Questions:

1. What does it mean that God has promised us He will return? What does that tell us about how confident we can be that it will happen?

2. God is demonstrating patience here. How can you show patience in the way you think of the problems of the world?

3. What does it tell you about God that He desires all to come to repentance?

3:5-7

Today's Scripture

The world and the earth are the Lord's. He created them by His word and will use them as He pleases. Often we forget that this earth is God's. The fall has corrupted many things about the creation and has left us feeling like God must not be involved here anymore. But the truth is that He is intimately involved with His creation. He uses it as He wills and in the end He'll use the creation to judge all the wickedness that the fall has brought about. We do well to remember these things about God, unlike those who "deliberately forgot."

Study Questions:

1. What destruction is verse 6 talking about? Verse 7?

2. Why is it good to remember that God created the earth?

3. Do you ever forget that God is the creator and is in control? What can you do to remind yourself of those things?