Who Really Wrote the Bible? (2 Peter 1)

Talk about a time when you have been an eye-witness to an amazing or unforgettable event. How did this experience change you? Are you still impacted by it today? How?

Read 2 Peter 1:16-18. Do you know what event Peter is talking about in these verses?

Read Matthew 17:1-8 (this story is also repeated in Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36). What is most amazing about this story? How do you think it changed Peter, John, and James?

Read 2 Peter 1:19. How did this amazing experience give Peter confidence?

What do you think it means to "pay attention" to the writings of the prophets? How well do you pay attention to the writing of the Bible right now? What keeps you from paying closer attention?

Read 2 Peter 1:20-21. According to Peter, how was the Bible written? Compare these verses to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why does it make a difference whether the words in the Bible come from God or from man?

According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, for what is God's Word useful? How can you let the Bible do these things in your life?

What do you need to do in the coming weeks to improve your relationship with the Bible? What are you going to do in order to pay better attention to God's Word?

How can this group help you?

Extra resources for learning about the Bible: About the Bible: Short Answers to Big Questions (Exploring Christian Faith), What the Bible is All About: Bible Handbook: NIV Edition, Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word

Supplements For Your Faith

How do you feel about vitamins? Do you use them? Why or why not?

As a group, read 2 Peter 1:5-9.

Go around the room, and have 2 or 3 people talk about how each of the following things can “supplement” our faith:

• Goodness or virtue
• Knowledge
• Self-control
• Perseverance
• Godliness
• Brotherly Kindness
• Love

Which of these supplements is most needed in your life? (or your friend’s life)

What do you think it means to have an ineffective or unproductive knowledge of Jesus? What do you think an effective and productive knowledge of Jesus would look like?

What would someone be looking at that would cause them to forget their salvation? (vs.9)

What did Jesus do for you, personally, at your salvation? From what did He save you?

What does it mean to “make EVERY effort” to add these supplements to our faith? What are other areas of life where we “make every effort”?

How would “making every effort” help you to be mindful of what Christ saved you from?

What is one step someone could take to begin working on these supplements?

What now?

Repentance (Revelation 2)

Big Idea: Repentance is a lot more than saying, "I'm Sorry."
(this study accompanies a sermon from 2 Corinthians 7)

Have someone read 2 Peter 3:9. God will one day judge, why is He holding back his judgment right now? What is He waiting for?

Give some examples of the difference between just saying "Sorry" and truly repenting.

Why do some people have such a hard time repenting?

Have someone read Revelation 2:1-5.

Can you look back at a time in your life when you really loved God? Do you need to return to that? How can repentance be the first step in returning?

Has this group fallen away from our first love at all? Are there things we need to return to? Are there things for which we as a group need to repent?

Do you have any relationships which have fallen apart? How can repentance to another person help restore a relationship?

In light of this discussion, what is the next step God is calling you to?

What should be the next step be for our group?