Week nine reading: ch 3:10-13

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.

1. The key question Peter seems to want us to consider in this entire letter is found in verse 11:  "What sort of people ought we to be in living lives of holiness and godliness?"  Looking back over the previous two chapters, consider:

   • a. What does this sort of life look like?

   • b. What specific pitfalls has Peter warned us to avoid, and how should we avoid them?

2. What particular trap is Peter concerned the believers could fall into here? (see 3:1-15)

3. Peter says that if we do indeed live the sort of lives God intends us to, we will be both "waiting for" and "hastening" the Day of the Lord.  Doesn't that sound like a contradiction to you?  How are we to do both of those–wait and hasten?

4. Read Isaiah 65:17-19 and Revelation 21:1-5.  Reflect upon this great promise of God to His people through the ages.  What stands out to you most? How does this future promise impact our present day lives?

5. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, and reflect upon it in light of Peter’s words of “waiting” and “hastening” the coming day of God. 

6. Lent Focus:  Peter’s call to a life of holiness and godliness begins with knowing Jesus (2 Peter 1:3).  Abiding in Christ, and letting His Holy Spirit guide us, and yielding to His direction, as we linger in His Word puts us in a place where we can have the heart of Jesus formed in us, so that we can live our daily lives for Him.  How can our Lenten practices (fasting, etc.) help us...

   • a) pay attention to the Holy Spirit, and

   • b) participate in His ongoing transformation of our hearts and lives?