Theme: Strengthening our Faith
Topic: Growing in Faith
Main Text: 2 Peter 1:1-11
Key verse: 2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.”
Introduction:
Growth in Christian maturity is not automatic, and it is not unopposed. In the first session of our series, we learned it was essential for a believer to be “rooted and built up” in Christ so as not to be “cheated through philosophy and empty deceit”. The Apostle Peter addresses the same issues in his second letter. Having written his first letter to comfort and encourage those suffering great persecution – an external onslaught -, he now writes to the same audience warning them of an internal onslaught of complacency and heresy. He warns them, and us, to hold fast to the truth of the gospel by knowing God better, to grow and mature in our faith by remembering what He has done for us and committing to develop His character in our lives –something the Holy Spirit does in us with our co-operation and to reject all who would distort the truth.
Q1. Re-read 2 Peter 1:1-4 (1a) What do you think is meant by the phrase “like precious faith”? (1b) Apostle Peter says that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. What are some of those things? How and when are they received? (1c) What does it mean to be a “partaker of the divine nature”? In what way(s) does God expect us to manifest this divine nature?
Paragraph 2:
The Bible makes it clear that salvation is a sovereign work of God – we are saved by grace through faith, and that faith is itself a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation cannot be earned; works contribute nothing to our justification. Having been justified, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to live as a child of God. The faith that saves us also empowers us to produce evidence of our faith. This faith must be more than just belief in certain facts (James 2:19-20); it must result in action, growth in Christian character, and the practice of moral discipline or it will die away (James 2:14-17) or what the Bible calls fruit (John 15:8,16). The power to grow doesn’t come from us but from God. He empowers and enables us, but He also gives us the responsibility to learn and grow (John 15:4-6).
Q2. (2a) 2 Peter 1:5-9 and Galatians 5:22-23 appear to have some similarities and differences. Let participants identify those similarities and differences and how it helps us understand the call to grow in faith. (2b) 2 Peter 1:5 speaks about ‘add to…’ What practical ways can one add to faith, to knowledge, to self-control, etc.?
Paragraph 3:
Many believers struggle with assurance. It is indeed “blessed” to know that Jesus is mine (and I am his). Many books and commentaries have been written about assurance – what it is, how a believer can get it and, even, whether it is possible in this life. The thrust of our main text, and many others, is that not only is it possible, but it is something we should be “even more diligent” to strive for. Some believers lack assurance while others have that blessed assurance. Sadly, some are deceived, wrongly thinking that they are saved because of their “good” works (Matthew 7:22-23). None of us want to be in the last category and the Lord does not want any of us to be deceived. Thankfully, the Bible makes it clear that not only does the Lord know those who are His, but we can also know that we belong to Him.
Q3. Read 2 Peter 1:10-11; and 2 Peter 3:14,18 (3a) What do the phrases ‘make every effort’, ‘be diligent’ in these verses communicate to you? (3b) Whose responsibility is it to “make every effort” and “be diligent” and how does your answer correlate with 2 Peter 1:3? (3c) What practical steps can we take to be seen to be making every effort, and being diligent to grow?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that my salvation is secured and assured by the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ by grace through faith which You imparted in my heart. Thank you that You have given me your Holy Spirit to dwell in me and enable me to be diligent in growing more into the image of our Lord. Help me to do my part, to present myself before you, to study to show myself approved, and to follow as you lead me day by day. Amen.