2 Peter 3 Reading Guide

Chad Werkhoven
Dec 1, 2021
2 min read

Dig In:

Chapter Overview:

v1-10 - The purpose of Peter's letters (and all of the books of the Bible, for that matter) is "to stimulate you to wholesome thinking (v1)." Peter lists three ways for you to do this:
- v2 - Recall the words of scripture;
- v3-7 - Be aware the world is full of scoffers who "deliberately forget (v5)" who God is and what He's done;
- v8-10 - In contrast to the scoffers, you must not forget God's patience.
v11-16 - How should you live knowing that the world will "disappear with a roar," "be destroyed by fire," and "be laid bare?" You ought to:
- v11 - "Live holy and godly lives," looking forward to the Lord's return;
- v14 - "Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him."
v17-18 - Peter closes this short letter with two more imperatives:
- "Be on your guard;"
- "Grow in the grace and knowledge" of Jesus.

Dig Deeper:

In general, we are not people who like to wait. Ironically, although it seems like Christ's second coming is the ultimate thing you must wait for, it's not included in the list of things Peter tells us to do. Waiting is the ultimate passive waste of time, but yet so many people, including Christians, live as if life is just a giant waiting room with out of date magazines.

Verse 12 is a good example of what you should be doing instead of waiting:

You ought to

live holy and godly lives

as you look forward

to the day of God

and speed its coming.

Let's dig deeper into what Peter means:

live holy and godly lives	Christians are not to aimlessly sit around waiting for Christ to return. Here you're commanded to get out there and live (see the Old Testament reference below). Certainly the life you live ought to look different than the self centered lives of those who've delibertly forgotten their creator (v5). Instead, reflect His holy and Godly image.
as you look forward	It's hard to be an optimist in a pessimistic culture, but by following Peter's advice in v2 and constantly "recalling the words spoken" in the Bible will keep you looking forward and longing for Christ's return.
and speed its coming.	This is an amazing statement. You can actually decrease our wait time for Christ's return! How? By aligning your life with God's will. Remember that one of the key ways you've been commanded to do this is by praying the words Jesus taught you to pray often: Thy Kingdom come. God is eager to answer that prayer!

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:

Christians are often described as exiles in this world - people who are not at home here. This is certainly a good analogy (Peter uses it often), but even though we're exiles in this world does not mean we are not expected to contribute to it and to pray for it. Here's God's command to the Israelites who were living in exile in Babylon:

Jeremiah 29:7

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Discuss:

Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:

EYE FOR DETAIL— How does Peter describe Paul in this chapter? (See verse 15.)

Questions from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament

Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The Lord, who is not slow in keeping His promise (v9)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to strengthen you to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him (v14), and always pray for His Kingdom to come.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: