reflection and discussion questions: 

Regardless whether you use these questions for group or personal reflection, there's a LOT here, so don't feel any need to cover everything!  Just use the questions below as a guideline for deeper thought and a way to stay present to 2 Peter through the week.

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1. Peter is nearing the end of his life as he writes 2 Peter (1:14). And so this past Sunday, Phil asked us to consider the following question:  "If you knew your days in this life were soon to end, and if in those last days you were to write a letter to those you love, what would you write?"  Your letter(s) to family would likely be of one sort, and it's very much worth considering what those letters would look like, but if you were to write a letter to your brothers and sisters in Christ, what would you say?

2. Phil talked about the similarities between the opening of 1 Peter and the opening of 2 Peter.  Do you think there's any significance to why Peter refers to himself as "Simeon Peter" at the beginning of this letter rather than just "Peter" in his previous letter?

3. Phil also mentioned that one of Pastor Doug's favorite questions to ask people was: "When did God become more than a word to you?"  How would you answer?

4. Peter talks about the "knowledge" of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Phil said the word for "knowledge" here in Greek is epignosis: intimate, personal, experiential knowledge (as opposed to mere information).  How does your answer to question 3 help you understand epignosis?

5. Pastor and theologian J.B. Lightfoot said that epignosis is a "larger and more thorough knowledge,"  and when used as "the knowledge of God and Christ" refers to the perfection of knowledge.  How is "intimate, personal, experiential knowledge" more perfect (or fuller, richer) than knowledge the way we usually think of it?

6. How can "grace and peace" be multiplied in us?  (Consider looking at the rest of v. 2 for ideas!)

7. Is there a connection, do you think, between entering into a more perfect knowledge of God and Christ and having grace and peace "multiplied" in us?

8. How would your understanding of yourself and your understanding of God be transformed by a multiplication of grace and peace?  How about your ordinary, everyday life of relationships and responsibilities?  How is God calling you to respond? 

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Further passages to consider: Romans 3:21-26; John 17:1-5; Philippians 3:8-11