You can read the whole epistle here.
Here is the brief introduction to the epistle as provided for in the beginning of our discussion questions:-
Jude is a single chapter consisting of 25 verses. The author is the brother of the Lord (see Fleming, p. 42). While 2 Peter teaches believers to beware of and how to deal with false teachers, the teaching of Jude shows that the situation of the early Church had deteriorated since Peter wrote his second epistle. False teachers and heretics have become so entrenched that the church had become an apostate church (see Fleming, p. 41).
We only managed to cover verses 3 and 4.
In verse 3, we discussed what is needed to be done to contend for our faith. Our faith basically is our Christian beliefs and this is found in the Bible. As such, to contend for our faith, we should preserve the integrity and purity of the Christian faith. To do so, we must:-
1. Know the faith! How can we protect it if we do not know it well?
2. Recognise wrong teaching - this is connected with the first point.
3. Warn others about errors - we do not just recognise the wrong teaching but we should help others do the same.
In verse 4, we looked at who the false teachers are. They are godless men (as opposed to godly - see previous studies) and their lives are marked by immorality - lies, cheating, betrayals, adultery, fornication, stealing etc. They are only out for their own gain so we must be careful of who we listen to.
We also discussed how to prepare ourselves so as not to be misled by these false teachings. The conclusion was obvious and unanimous - we must study God's word!!!!
In this area, we all agreed that the short time spent during ahf is clearly NOT sufficient. We have to make time daily, not just for devotion but to study God's word.
Are we doing that? If not, then we should start. A simple way is to purchase some Bible study materials and do it on a daily basis. Let's pray for each other that we will spend time daily to study God's word, to know it and be able to recognise wrong teachings and warn others of it.
2 Peter 3v1 - 18 (21st January 2011)
You can read the whole passage here.
We have finally come to the end of the letter. As a summary, the leaders' guide states as follows:-
Chapter 3 talks mainly of the return of Christ. This is something that a lot of people today do not accept/believe. They simply do not want to accept God's word, nor the fact that they will be answerable to a higher being. After all, if Jesus were to return, he is truly God and everyone will have to give an account of their lives to him.
Yet, Peter tells us that the "delay" in Christ's return is another way of God showing his mercy to the unsaved - wanting everyone to be saved (v9).
In the meantime, we are to live "holy and godly lives" (v11). To be holy is to be separated for God's use. Just like how the things used in the temple are "holy" - nothing really inherently special but that they are set apart to be used by God. In the same way, we are to be set apart from the world and live a godly life. Our lives must show that we are the people of God.
We are to "speed the coming of the day of God" - to share the gospel and tell people of the coming of Christ. We were reminded of practicing the 4 "I"s - to identify people, to intercede for them, to invest in their lives and to invite them to the saving knowledge of our saviour!
So while we should want our Lord to return soon, we should also make the most of the time we have here now. Our attitude should like the apostle Paul - "For to me to live is for Christ and to die is gain". As long as we live, we live our lives for Christ - and if we should die, we shall only gain as we will be with him forever.
We ended off thinking if our life and attitude show that we look forward to the return of Christ or not. If we were to meet Christ today, how would we feel?
We have finally come to the end of the letter. As a summary, the leaders' guide states as follows:-
In chapter 1, Peter taught that knowledge of Christ is the remedy against false teachers. In chapter 2, Peter assures his readers that God will deal with false teachers but in the meantime gives important information on how to identify false teachers. Chapter 3 teaches believers to be holy in the light of the climax of all things. When believers understand the purposes of God for the future they will best be able to live for God in the present (Fleming, p. 31).
Chapter 3 talks mainly of the return of Christ. This is something that a lot of people today do not accept/believe. They simply do not want to accept God's word, nor the fact that they will be answerable to a higher being. After all, if Jesus were to return, he is truly God and everyone will have to give an account of their lives to him.
Yet, Peter tells us that the "delay" in Christ's return is another way of God showing his mercy to the unsaved - wanting everyone to be saved (v9).
In the meantime, we are to live "holy and godly lives" (v11). To be holy is to be separated for God's use. Just like how the things used in the temple are "holy" - nothing really inherently special but that they are set apart to be used by God. In the same way, we are to be set apart from the world and live a godly life. Our lives must show that we are the people of God.
We are to "speed the coming of the day of God" - to share the gospel and tell people of the coming of Christ. We were reminded of practicing the 4 "I"s - to identify people, to intercede for them, to invest in their lives and to invite them to the saving knowledge of our saviour!
So while we should want our Lord to return soon, we should also make the most of the time we have here now. Our attitude should like the apostle Paul - "For to me to live is for Christ and to die is gain". As long as we live, we live our lives for Christ - and if we should die, we shall only gain as we will be with him forever.
We ended off thinking if our life and attitude show that we look forward to the return of Christ or not. If we were to meet Christ today, how would we feel?
2 Peter 2v10 - 22 (15th January 2011)
You can read the whole passage here.
Peter goes on to describe the character, lifestyle and values of these false teachers (v10-19) - they are bold, arrogant, slanderous, disrespectful, animals(!), desiring to indulge in material things, lustful, adulterous, liars etc.
This leads to the irresistible conclusion that they are not Christians at all - not saved and changed by the Holy Spirit.
They are described as "springs without water, mists driven by a storm" (v17) - they promise a lot but give nothing.
Those who are not rooted in the word of God and truly believed will be led away and end up worse off than they were at the beginning (v20).
The lesson for us is to watch out for these false teachers and false teaching - not just for ourselves but for each other. We are to equip ourselves with God's word and support each other at all times.
Peter goes on to describe the character, lifestyle and values of these false teachers (v10-19) - they are bold, arrogant, slanderous, disrespectful, animals(!), desiring to indulge in material things, lustful, adulterous, liars etc.
This leads to the irresistible conclusion that they are not Christians at all - not saved and changed by the Holy Spirit.
They are described as "springs without water, mists driven by a storm" (v17) - they promise a lot but give nothing.
Those who are not rooted in the word of God and truly believed will be led away and end up worse off than they were at the beginning (v20).
The lesson for us is to watch out for these false teachers and false teaching - not just for ourselves but for each other. We are to equip ourselves with God's word and support each other at all times.
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