Peter warned his readers about the kind of dangerous teachings the church would face. He cautioned against those who, while promising liberty, would lead people back into the bondage of sin, the opposite of the freedom that we have been promised in Christ. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only false teaching that would confront the church. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 3:1-2; John 21:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:3-13; Ps. 90:4; Matt. 24:43-51; 2 Pet. 3:14-18. Memory Text: “Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11, NRSV). In ages past … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: So often we hear Christians talk about “freedom in Christ.” And, of course, this is a valid concept. To be free from the condemnation of the law and to have assurance of salvation because of what Christ has done for us and not from our own works is indeed to be free. The … Continue reading –>
Read 2 Peter 2:6-16. What other examples does Peter use to give his warning about what wickedness will lead to? The first substantive reference to Sodom in the Bible is Genesis 13:12-13. Lot and Abraham decided to separate for “financial” reasons. Lot chose the Jordan valley, and “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12). The … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “False Teachers” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School Site. … Continue reading –>
The threat from within. Are the two prongs of Satan’s attack on the Christian church (outside persecution and inside deception) equal in force? If not, which one does Peter believe that Satan finds more effective in destroying faith in Jesus? What about the church you attend? Do you ever observe Satan’s success in drawing believers away from … Continue reading –>
he Memory Text for this week, 1 Peter 2:19, speaks of the master we wish to follow. As a Christian, I wish to have Jesus as my Master and so Hymn 574, “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee” has us singing this with purpose. To follow on from this hymn, I do wish to … Continue reading –>
Many people have observed that Jude 4-19 largely repeats the message of 2 Peter 2:1-3:7. Whenever Scripture repeats a message, we should be aware that God wants to convey something important. In these similar passages, Peter and Jude take great lengths to notify us of an important truth: God is in control of the destinies … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Peter warned that the followers of Jesus would have to deal with false prophets, false teachers, and destructive teachings that would deceive many. Lesson 11, June 10, 2017 1. Have a volunteer read 2 Peter 2:18,19. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text … Continue reading –>
Read 2 Peter 2:17-22 and Matthew 12:43-45. What are the dangers when a convert to Christianity returns to his/her former lifestyle? Peter was particularly concerned about the fate of those whom the false teachers entice back into their former sins (2 Pet. 2:18). The false teachers promise freedom, but as Peter points out, the freedom … Continue reading –>
“For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error” (2 Pet. 2:18, NIV). What is Peter warning about in this verse? What does he say in 2 Peter 2:19 that helps explain his concern? What … Continue reading –>
It’s sometimes easy to idealize the early church, to think of it as a time of great peace and harmony among the earliest believers in Jesus. That would be a mistake. Even from the days of Jesus the church faced struggles, often from within (think of Judas). As the New Testament epistles show, many of … Continue reading –>
