The Aim of this devotional study is to rightly adjust our understanding and regard for Scripture.
Scripture
2 Peter 1:13-2:3
13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2:2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2:3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Observation
- List the names attributed to God and those attributed to Jesus in this section.
- Peter speaks of a specific “prophetic word” and also of prophesy and Scripture in general – what specific prophetic word does he refer to? When was this word delivered and by whom?
- We are reading from Peter’s last words. Looking at 2 Peter 1:13-21 write down what Peter intentionally wanted his readers to think of the message he wrote down, i.e. why was he sure this message is of God and why did he write it to them?
- What does Peter say about the interpretation of Scripture and relation to the Holy Spirit? What does that mean?
- Compare true ministers (prophets and teachers) with false ministers (false prophets and teachers) – what does this text teach of them?
Application
- Regarding you view this letter of Peter:
- When you start reading, what is your attitude and regard of this writing? And then – what should it be? Write it down.
- Peter writes these things down as “reminder… so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” and that he was “eye-witness [of Jesus and his teachings]” that “also heard this very voice borne from heaven”. Do you believe it when you read it? Why? Why not? And how does that affect your reading of it today?
- Peter writes that false teachers twist scripture because of “sensuality” and “greed”. Search your heart to find to what degree the love for pleasure, power and money on earth influences your interpretation of the Bible. Write down what you feel or think about this.
(Tell your Bible School Buddy or accountability partner about what you write down in Application 1 and 2).
Prayer
Worship God and Christ by the names listed in this section. And then, ass you look at the text we read with your observations and application remarks, bring your thanks and/ or praise and/or doubts about the to God Bible to God and ask him for faith and understanding.
Shofar Durbanville Bible Studies 