Every TV show ends the season with a cliffhanger, making us wait until the next season for the resolution to some huge impending catastrophe. How is the Second Coming of Jesus similar?
Scoffer to Believer
Read 2 Peter 3:1-4
What does it mean to scoff at someone else?
How is being called a scoffer worse than being a person who scoffs?
(Scoff refers to the nature of the act. Being called a scoffer
refers to the nature of the person. A scoffer has made scoffing a way of life and
is now defined by it.)
How do the scoffers in these verses reveal themselves? What
do they say? (2 Peter 3:3,4)
What traits are evident in the personality and character of
a scoffer? (following evil desires)
What is the opposite of scoff? (encourage, compliment,
approve, admire, trust, praise)
What is the opposite of scoffer? (believer, optimist)
Do Christians, at times, scoff at unbelievers? How?
Is the Kingdom of God made up of scoffers or believers?
What actions can we take to ensure our temptation to scoff
at others does not lead us to become scoffers? (2 Peter 3:1,2)
Wicked to Wise
Read Matthew 24:45-51
Compare/contrast the wise and wicked servant.
How were they the same? (Responsibilities - In charge of Master’s household. Waiting for Master’s return.)
How were they different? (Actions – Wise: feeding household
faithfully. Wicked: Attacking household and eating/drinking elsewhere.)
What was the difference in character between the wise and
wicked servant? (focus: others/self)
Do we see both wise and wicked servants in our local church today? Why?
In the parable, how did this difference develop? (Time / Delay. Wise:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Wicked: Absence makes the heart go yonder.
Until bit by bit they two servants become opposites.)
What can we do to ensure we fall deeper in love with Jesus
as we wait?
Destruction to Salvation
Read 2 Peter 3:14-18
Why do you think Peter puts this challenge to grow in Christlike character at the
end of this letter?
What encouragement do you gain from these verses?
What challenges you the most in these verses?
A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve. (Maranatha, 224)
Read Hebrews 12:1-3
How can wicked scoffers be changed into wise believers and be taken from destruction to salvation? (only by fixing their eyes on Jesus)
How does looking at Jesus impact the person's character over time? (we become more like Him)
How long does this process take?
To be continued…
(this is actually the end of this study, but your character development is never ending!)
(this is actually the end of this study, but your character development is never ending!)
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