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Name:
METHODICAL BIBLE STUDY TEMPLATE
Instructions: Using the method and skills practiced in the Observation, Interpretation, and
Application project, complete a methodical study of 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Observation
1. Looking at the Whole Picture
A. I have read 2 Peter three times in one sitting. Highlight the correct answer.
o Yes
o No
B. I have read 2 Peter 1:12-21 two additional times in both a formal translation (KJV,
NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV).
Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of these translations in your provided
digital library or at BibleGateway.com.
o Yes
o No
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C. After reading 2 Peter 1:12-21 these three times, note your initial observations in the chart
below. You should be able to make at least 12 observations.
Verse(s)
Observations
12-13
As long as Peter lives, he will encourage believers in the truths told earlier in the
passage (This specific passage doesn’t mention Peter as the writer, it is inferred
from the beginning of this chapter).
14
Peter knows his life will end soon because of a word from Christ
15
Peter is going to make every chance he can to help his audience recall these
truths after he dies
16
Peter was an eyewitness to the workings of Christ
17
Peter is referring to a word of the Lord about Jesus being His beloved Son
18
Peter heard God’s voice when he was with Jesus on the mountain
19
Hearing that makes Peter more sure of what the prophets said.
20
No prophecy written in Scripture ever came from a person
21
Prophecies only come from the word of God through men
14
Jesus has predicted the end of Peter’s life
15
We should be able to recall the teachings of Peter
16
Peter was not blindly following the world, but purposefully following Jesus
D. With your Bible open, reread 2 Peter 1:12-21 and note at least fifteen additional
observations from this passage.
Verse(s)
Observations
12
We know these teachings, but Peter will remind us anyways
12
We should be established in the truth that we have in Christ
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13
One translatings states “stir you up”, almost implying an excitement
14
Peter is calm about his coming death and continues to listen to the Father on
guidance
15
Peter is adamant about us understanding these teachings
16
The truth of Christ is followed partly because there are eyewitness accounts of
His work
16
Be careful not to follow cleverly devised stories, but only truth
17-18
It was witnessed that Jesus received honor from the Father through word on the
mountain
18
Peter was a witness to God’s voice speaking to Jesus
19
The message of the prophets is a light in dark places
19
Christ is the Morning Star
19-21
Prophetic word was confirmed through God’s voice on the mountain. This
remains as a light in dark times while waiting for Christ’s return
20
No prophecy in Scriptures comes from the understanding of the prophet
21
Prophecy comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit to speak God’s word
19-21
God’s will in the Bible is never written out of human understanding
E. Using your Bible and the two charts of observations you have constructed record the
major facts of the passage. For this exercise you should not consult any outside resource.
You are simply writing down what you have observed in reading the Scriptures and
classifying these observations.
i. Who: Peter, God, Holy Spirit, Christ, audience of believers, those on the mountain
with Christ, the prophets whose prophecy was confirmed
ii. What: Peter is writing to believers to remind them of His teachings and to hold them
in their hearts even after he leaves. Prophetic word was confirmed through God’s
word on the mountain and no prophecy ever comes from man.
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iii. Where: This passage inserts no information on where Peter may be or where this
letter is going
iv. When: This was written sometime after Jesus’s death, before the death of Peter.
2. Looking at the Individual Parts
A. Using the examples provided in the textbook and in the additional resources folder construct
a structural outline of 2 Peter 1:12-21. The principles of structure should influence how you
build this structural outline.
Preparation
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities,
though you know them and are established in the truth that you have
Repetition
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder
Cause to Effect
since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon,
As our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall
these things
Explanation
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
Illustration
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,” we ourselves heard
this very voice borne from heaven
Explanation/ Cause to Effect
For we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully
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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, knowing this first of all, that no
prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
Effect to Cause/ Summary
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.
B. List and explain the principles of structure (comparison, contrast, repetition, illustration,
question posed, question answered, etc.) that you have observed in 2 Peter 1:12-21. These
principles of structure should be reflected in the structural outline from the previous
question.
Verse(s)
Principles of Structure
Preparation
Peter is setting the reader up for reminding on what he has been preaching
Repetition
Peter is stating once again his mission to remind people as long as he lives on
the importance of these teachings
Cause to
Effect
Peter knew his time was coming to an end, so the effect is his continued effort in
sharing the gospel
Explanation
Peter is explaining that the truths he is speaking of did not come from myths of
the world, but from the Father in real experience
Illustration
Peter is illustrating the experience he had with Jesus and the Holy Spirit that
backs up the previous explanation he gave towards the truth in his preachings
Cause to
Effect
When the truth of the Spirit is kept in mind and believers stay in the prophetic
word spoken in the Bible, the Morning Star rises in our hearts
Effect to
Cause
No prophecy is ever produced by man because it is produced solely through the
Holy Spirit.
C. Using the examples provided in the textbook and in the additional resources folder
construct a brief outline of 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Verses 12-15 Peter reminds believers until the end of his days on the truths spoken in the Bible.
We are called to keep them in our hearts.
Verses 16-18 Eyewitnesses have confirmed the prophecies told in the Bible and can witness to
the Glory of Jesus.
Verses 19-21 Prophetic word is only given from the Holy Spirit, which clinging to will insight
Christ into the believer’s heart.
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3. Looking at the Fine Details.
Using what you learned when you worked through 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 in the Observation
assignment, complete the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “when” of 2 Peter 1:12-21. You should
use the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook, Holman
Concise Bible Commentary. Your answers for this section should be much more detailed than the
ones provided in the Chapter Four questions (Your answers in 1E).
2 Peter 1:12-21
1. Who? (The characters)
- “The author claimed to be Peter in 1:1 and asserted that he was an eyewitness of Jesus’
transfiguration (1:16–18).”
1
However, scholars have questioned the author because the
style of writing in this book is so vastly different from 1 Peter.
- “This letter lacks a specific address as 1 Peter contains. If we assume that Peter wrote the
letter, “my second letter” (2 Pet. 3:1) would indicate that he was writing to the same
group that received the first letter.”
2
- The statement in 1:16 of 2 Peter hints that Peter has preached to this group before, but
there is no knowledge on how or when this occurred. Some people suggest that he wrote
to churches in the northern part of Asia Minor.
3
2. What? (Key truths or Events)
- Peter placed an importance on exposing the work of internal opposition within the church.
4
- In chapter one specifically, Peter was urging his readings to grow in the virtues of faith,
goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. (This is
from verses before our assigned reading for this assignment)
- In Peter’s second epistle, he wrote to address false teachers who denied the second coming
of Christ, and who advocated for a libertine lifestyle.
5
- 2 Peter 1:12-21 focuses on Peter’s apostolic reminder with the function of the reminder: to
stir them for action, the truth of Jesus’ coming is based on eyewitness testimony and
prophetic word.
6
1
Thomas D. Lea, “The General Letters,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville,
TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 640.
2
Ibid., 641.
3
Ibid., 641.
4
Ibid., 641.
5
Thomas R. Schreiner, “Peter, Second Letter From,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible
Dictionary(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1283.
6
Ibid., 1285.
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3. Where? (Geography and Location)
- It is believed that Peter was writing to the churches in Asia Minor as it was most likely
written to the same audience as 1 Peter.
7
- The recipients were not specified geographically. Peter knew these people well enough to
call them “dear friends” and to have written them a previous letter (3:1). There is no way
to know whether these were the same believers addressed in his first epistle.
8
Because of
this, there are many varying ideas as to where this book was being addressed.
4. When? (Time factors)
- It is believed that this book was written around AD 67, but this is only a guess that was
determined by noting the strong tradition that Peter died during the final part of Nero’s
reign from AD 54-68.
9
- Peter had also anticipated in 2 Peter 1 that his death would be soon, because of this, it can
be assumed this book was written in the mid to late 60s.
10
Interpretation
Instructions: In this section, you will be building off of your observations in order to explore the
principles of interpretation in your study of 2 Peter 1:12-21. Your assignment is to come up with
interpretive questions and answers that allow you to explore each category: Who, What, When,
Where. Using these questions, you will study through the steps of content, context, comparison,
and consultation to arrive at conclusions regarding 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Lastly, you will seek to answer the final question: Why? We must deal with the question of
“why” somewhat differently than the questions of “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where.” When
we ask “why” we must draw conclusions about the meaning of the passage, based on our study
up to this point. Answer the following questions about 2 Peter 1:12-21 based on your findings
and additional research.
Please note three items:
First, in the Comparison section you will need to demonstrate how other Scriptures support your
interpretive conclusions.
Second, in the Consultation section you should use other scholarly resources (Holman Illustrated
Bible Dictionary, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook, and the Holman Concise Bible
7
Ibid., 1284.
8
B&H Editorial Staff, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook (Holman Bible Publishers, 2012), 458.
9
Ibid., 458.
10
Lea, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, 640.
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Commentary. Additionally, you may find excellent resources provided from the Jerry Falwell
Library by following this link:
https://libguides.liberty.edu/c.php?g=564087&p=6899410
Third, material that can be found for free on the internet is typically neither scholarly nor
academic and should not be used for support. Thus, websites like Wikipedia, GotQuestions.org,
BlueLetterBible.org, etc. should not be used for supporting your interpretive conclusions.
A. Who? (The Characters)
Description: Find out all you can about the characters, including their identities and situations. If
specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them. You are not
composing a detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what 2 Peter 1:12-21
says about each of the main characters and how that fits with other Scriptural passages. You
should be able to identify at least four (4) characters in this passage.
Question 1: Who is the author?
Initial proposal based on content: The author of 2 Peter is Peter.
Context: 2 Peter 1:1 ESV states, “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those
who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and
Savior Jesus Christ:.” Peter also foretells his death in verse 13 and provides eyewitness to the
testimony of Jesus.
Comparison: 1 Peter 1:1 ESV states, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christs, To those who are elect
exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Birhtynia,”. Matthew 17:1
ESV states, “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and
led them up a high mountain by themselves.” This proves Peter’s eyewitness account that he
mentioned in 2 Peter 1:16-18 ESV. John 21 indicates that the type of death Peter will have will
glorify God.
Consultation: In addition to Peter claiming to be the author in 1 Peter 1:1 and 2 Peter 1:1, he also
asserted to be an eyewitness of Jesus’ transfiguration in 2 Peter 1:16-18 and claimed to be an
apostle and friend with Paul in 2 Peter 3:15.
11
The book took until the fourth century to gain
general acceptance and be accepted as genuine by the church to be worthy of inclusion in the
canon.
12
For the past two centuries however, many critical scholars have denied that Peter wrote
this book due to the difference in writing style from 1 Peter.
13
There are many things that could
account for this difference, however, including the loss of Silas’s secretarial assistance, and the
11
Ibid., 640.
12
Ibid., 640.
13
B&H Editorial Staff, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook, 458.
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differing occasion for the letter.
14
Because of this, there is no credible argument for Peter not
being the author.
Conclusion: Although many people may see a huge difference in writing from 1 Peter to 2 Peter
and try to argue the author, most belief still sits with Peter being the author.
Question 2: Who are the recipients of this passage?
Initial proposal based on content: People who are believers in Christ.
Context: Verse 12 mentions that the readers should already be established in the truth that they
have, indicating that the truth is the gospel through the rest of the passage. Verse 16 also
confirms this by sharing that the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ has already been
made known to the readers. Through this passage though, no specific recipients are mentioned. 2
Peter 3:1 ESV states, “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of
them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,”. This hints that the recipients of 2
Peter are the same ones mentioned in 1 Peter.
Comparison: In 1 Peter 1:1, Peter mentions he is writing “To those who are elect exiles of the
Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Because of the mention in 2
Peter 3:1, it can be assumed that these are the recipients of 2 Peter.
Consultation: “The recipients were not specified geographically. Peter knew these people well
enough to call them “dear friends” and to have written them a previous letter (3:1). There is no
way to know whether these were the same believers addressed in his first epistle.”
15
Conclusion: This letter was likely written to churches in Asia Minor.
Question 3: Who is Peter referring to when he states “we” in verse 16?
Initial proposal based on content: He is referring to the disciples that were with him on the
mountain with Jesus.
Context: Peter also states in verse 16, “but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” and in verse 18,
“we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy
mountain.” This leads to the conclusion that he must be talking about the people who were on the
mountain. From these verses, we don’t know specifically who those people are.
14
Ibid., 458.
15
Ibid., 458.
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Comparison: As mentioned earlier, Matthew 17:1 gives Scripture of Jesus taking Peter, James,
and John to the mountain. This is also mentioned in Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36.
Consultation: “Peter’s message was not a cleverly crafted myth but an eyewitness testimony to
the majesty of Christ. Here he refers to the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain when Moses
and Elijah appeared to them (1:16–17). What Peter witnessed firsthand is that to which the
prophetic word, the Scriptures, bears witness.”
16
In Matthew 17, Jesus gives His three closest
disciples a preview of His glory, providing a glimpse of His majesty on the high mountain.
17
Conclusion: Peter, James, and John are the “we” in verse 16 that got to witness Christ’s
transfiguration on the mountain.
Question 4: Who is the morning star as mentioned in verse 19?
Initial proposal based on content: Christ is the Morning Star.
Context: In this verse, Peter is telling that Scripture will be used as light until Christ returns. This
can be assumed because the earlier verses are talking about Jesus on the mountain. The NLT
version even states, “until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your heart.”
Comparison: Revelation 22:16 ESV states, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about
these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning
star.” Further Scriptures mentioning Christ as the Morning Star includes Revelation 2:28,
Numbers 24:17, Isaiah 14:12, and many more.
Consultation: “NRSV translation of Hebrew term called “Lucifer” by KJV and “morning star” or
“star of the morning” by other translations. The planet Venus appears as a morning “star” at
dawn. Isaiah 14:12 compares the splendor of the Babylonian king to the day star (NRSV).
Second Peter 1:19 describes Christ as the morning star which outshines the light of the earlier
prophetic witness. The Hebrew term appears only in Isa. 14:12.”
18
Conclusion: Christ is the Morning Star.
16
Ibid., 459.
17
Lea, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, 416.
18
Chad Brand, Charles Draper, et al., eds., “Day Star,” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN:
Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 398.
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B. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the
tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, and delight? If it is an action passage, what do
the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in 2 Peter
1:12-21? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. You
should identify at least three (3) “what” questions.
Question 1: What qualities is Peter reminding readers about and what is he hoping to accomplish
with these?
Initial proposal based on content: In the passage alone, Peter does not mention specifically
what qualities they are. It is earlier in this chapter that he mentions them. He does state that he is
hoping to stir the church up.
Context: 2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV states, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control
with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and
brotherly affection with love.” Peter goes on to speak about how these qualities keep believers
from being unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.
Comparison: There are countless Scriptures in the Bible that talk about similar characteristics
that are important to hold. 2 Peter 3:18 ESV states, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Proverbs 1:7 ESV states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise
wisdom and instruction.” Peter is mentioning these qualities to remind believers to only place
their life in Christ, and not in false teachings of the world.
Consultation: Peter’s theme for this book is to expose the work of false teachers, and in chapter
one, he reminded the readers of the virtues of faith so that they would not be susceptible to
heretical influence.
19
Peter knew that his death was going to be near (2 Peter 1:14-15) and
because of this, he wanted to provide the Christians with protection from their errors by urging
them to develop proper Christian virtues (1:3-11).
20
Conclusion: Peter was reminding readers about the virtues of Christianity listed above to help
them stay in the knowledge of Christ and away from the false teachings.
Question 2: What foundational truth is Peter addressing in the latter half of the passage?
19
Lea, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, 641.
20
Ibid., 641.
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Initial proposal based on content: True prophecy does not come from any interpretation of
man but solely through the Holy Spirit.
Context: Peter was writing this letter to address the false teachings in the church, which could
have led to people struggling to believe apostles and prophets. In 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter is
addressing how he and the other apostles on the mountain were witnesses to the glory of Christ.
He continues to address how the prophetic word was confirmed because of this witnessing and
how no prophecy comes from man’s interpretation but only through the Holy Spirit speaking to
man.
Comparison: In 2 Peter 3, Peter continues to mention the “holy prophets” in distinction that their
prophecies come from the Holy Spirit. Amos 3:7 ESV states, “For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” 2 Peter 2:1 ESV states, “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.” Many Scriptures in the Bible speak against false prophets.
Consultation: “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.”
21
Peter is expressing that the testimonies of
the apostles and Old Testament Scriptures are not from human origin but are God’s Word.
22
Conclusion: Peter is reminding the people not to trust in false prophets but only to trust in true
prophecy that comes solely from the Word of God.
Question 3: What is Peter’s tone?
Initial proposal based on content: Peter’s tone is urgent.
Context: Peter states in verse 14, “since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as
our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.” The timing of the letter being near to Peter’s death, as
well as the nature of the false teachings in the church, it can be assumed that Peter is trying to
urgently express the words that God has put into him.
Comparison: In Peter’s first letter, his tone seems to be one of teaching rather than urgency. This
is one of the reasons why scholars debate Peter being the author of this book. With this, in the
beginning of 2 Peter, he is expressing the importance of the Christian virtues, because, without
them, “whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he
21
Ibid., 642.
22
B&H Editorial Staff, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook (Holman Bible Publishers, 2012), 459.
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was cleansed from his former sins” (2 Peter 1:9 ESV). Peter goes on to express being diligent
about our callings so that we may never fail. It can be assumed that there is an urgency to
remember our beliefs in Christ when there are false teachings taking people away from the
Father.
Consultation: “Peter was aware of his own approaching death (1:14). He may already have been
imprisoned in Rome, but he did not allude to this. He had become aware that these Christian
friends were facing the threat of false teachers who were denying the saving work of Christ.
Along with this went skepticism about the historical facts surrounding the first coming of Jesus.
Others were denying the second coming of Christ. As an eyewitness to Christ’s life (1:16),
perhaps one of the few left alive, Peter determined to write this letter before he died to affirm the
reality of the first and second coming of Jesus and to “develop a genuine understanding with a
reminder” (3:1).”
23
Conclusion: It can be assumed that Peter is writing out of a sense of urgency.
C. Where? (The Geography and location)
Description: Are there places in the passage that need to be identified in geographic placement?
Can anything be learned from the location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in
this passage before considering their significance outside of 2 Peter 1:12-21. You should identify
at least one (1) “where” question.
Question: Where are the recipients for this letter?
Initial proposal based on content: In this section alone, it is unknown who exactly Peter was
writing to at the time. In modern day, Peter is writing to all believers, which are spread
everywhere around the world.
Context: In 2 Peter 1, Peter makes no mention as to who specifically he is writing this letter to.
We only know that he is addressing false teachings in the church.
Comparison: In 2 Peter 3, Peter expresses that this is the second letter he is writing to this group,
suggesting that this is to the same audience as 1 Peter; the churches in Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
Consultation: This letter lacks a specific address like 1 Peter contains, but it can be assumed that
“my second letter” (2 Pet. 3:1) indicates that he was writing to the same group.
24
23
Ibid., 458.
24
Lea, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, 640.
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Conclusion: Peter is writing to churches in Asia Minor that were struggling with false teachings.
D. When? (The Time Factors)
Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage.
Are there lesson to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this presented first in 2
Peter 1:12-21 and then throughout the Scriptures? You should identify at least one (1) “when”
question.
Question: When did Peter write this letter?
Initial proposal based on content: Peter wrote this sometime before his death.
Context: 2 Peter 1:14 states, “since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our
Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.”
Comparison: The Scriptures of 2 Peter do not provide a date or time frame for when it was
written. It is only known that it was near Peter’s death, so it is through historical research of that
time frame that the date can be discovered.
Consultation: “Peter anticipated that his death would be soon (1:14–15). Assuming Peter wrote
both 1 and 2 Peter, we can observe that Peter called this his second writing to the same readers
(3:1). There is little specific information by which to arrive at an exact date, but it seems likely
that 2 Peter was written shortly after 1 Peter. A time in the mid to late 60s shortly before Peter’s
demise seems acceptable.”
25
Conclusion: Peter wrote this sometime during the mid to late AD 60s.
E. Why? (The purpose of this passage)
Description: The purpose question is two-sided: there is the need that caused the revelation to be
given, and there is the author’s message that addressed that need. Here you are drawing
conclusion based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this
interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the passage and then what is the
message and how does it address that need?
25
Ibid., 640.
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The Need: The need for writing this is to address false teachings and false prophecies that were
shooting through the church during this period. Believers began to question the authority of God
and His word.
The Message: The message is for believers to place value and importance on the Christian
virtues, stand steadfast in glory of the Lord, remember that true prophecy only comes from the
word of God, and stay alert for false teachings.
Application
Instructions: Using the questions below as a guide, develop application principles from 2 Peter
1:12-21. Be sure that your work is connected to and based on your work in the previous two
Unlocking the Scriptures project assignments. There ought to be a connection between your
application principles and your work in observation and interpretation.
1. Identify the Universal Truth:
What universal truth is God communicating in this passage? Your content here should answer
the question, “What is the one thing the whole thing is saying?” This does not need to be a full
paragraph. Rather, it should be no more than 2-3 well-written sentences.
The universal truth here is to stand steadfast in the teachings of the Lord, and not in false
teachings. It is to remember and place emphasis on the Christian virtues mentioned earlier in the
passage and believe in the teachings of the Bible because the words of the prophets were given
solely by God.
2. Identify Specific Points of Application:
How will you apply this universal truth to the four relationships of life? Your answer here should
begin with one of the items listed under the various relationships (with God, with yourself, with
others, with Satan) addressed in chapter 10. Be sure that your explanation is both detailed and
specific. An explanation that is 2-3 sentences in length is neither detailed nor sufficient at this
academic level.
A. Relationship with God:
A challenge to heed.
Explain: There will always be a struggle in life to dictate the difference between false teachings
and words from God. Especially now a days when it isn’t so clear, I personally believe that
prophecy still happens, but as I am learning and figuring out my beliefs, it can be hard to
establish the difference between God’s word and human word. Verse 19-21 provide a prime
example in the importance of only following prophecy from the Lord, but it also reminds me that
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everything I read in the Bible is truth for it came from God. While there may be a challenge in
false teachings of the world today, everything that is spoken should be backed up to the Word of
God because we know that it is true.
B. Relationship with myself:
A goal to strive for.
Explain: I am going to strive to place daily emphasis on the Christian virtues that Paul references
in verses 12-15. Paul expresses such an importance in these because he is writing this letter to
fight for them before his upcoming death. Although it isn’t mentioned in this passage
specifically, but in the verses prior, without a full life in these virtues, we can shy away very
easily from the Word of God. I am going to implement a goal of diving into each of these
specifically to see how I can be stronger at them in my life. In addition to this, I have a goal to
continuously fight against false teachings by taking everything to the Word.
C. Relationship with others
An encouragement to extend.
Explain: I can continue to share the encouragement of the Lord by sharing Scriptures and the
truth of God. Because of Paul’s mention of the witnesses to Christ on the mountain, I can stand
assured and confident in the Word of God because of eyewitnesses that have seen his greatness.
Not only was it Peter on the mountain, but there are testimonies today of the workings of God. In
addition to this, I can stand strong in sharing Scriptures because they are the Word of God
through the true prophets.
D. Relationship with Satan:
A piece of spiritual armor to wear.
Explain: This passage reminds me of the importance of the belt of truth. To stand steadfast in the
knowledge of the Lord and fight against any evil that may present itself as false teachings. Paul
is trying to express the importance in the passage of fighting against those, and the best way to
do that is to be equipped with truth that only comes from the true Word of God.
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3. Identify A Verse for Contemplation:
What verse from 2 Peter 1:12-21 should be my focus of meditation and memorization? Explain
why this verse is the most suitable verse for contemplation from this passage.
“And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall
these things.” 2 Peter 1:15
I chose this verse to meditate on because I want my life to be like Peter’s. Throughout my entire
life and even up to my very last breath, I want to be speaking the truth and power of the Lord
over people.
4. Identify How You Will Practice What You Have Learned:
What will you do this week to apply these principles to your life? Based on your study of 2 Peter
1:12-21, write five concrete actions or attitudes you can work on this week. These actions or
attitudes need to be specific to this passage and should not be so general that they fit with any
number of Bible passages. Thus, you should avoid making general statements like “I will pray
more” or “I will study the Bible for ½ hour every day this week.” Further, be sure to state how
these five concrete actions or attitudes you will work on this week are specifically connected to 2
Peter 1:12-21.
A. I will stand strong in the Christian virtues.
Explain: Peter reminds us multiple times of the important of the virtues mentioned earlier in the
chapter so I will take his reminders as importance and be mindful to walk in them this week. I
will focus on memorizing these so that I can recall them the way that Peter tells us.
B. I will strive to be more like Peter.
Explain: Peter was an amazing and Spirit filled apostle who preached the word of God even
when he knew his death was near. I will work towards preaching the gospel even in the hardest
times of my life.
C. I will pay attention to the Word of God like it’s a lamp shining in a dark place.
Explain: Without full focus on God, life can get really dark, really quickly. Peter reminds us to
pay attention to the prophetic word that’s been preached and place our faith in that word.
D. I will place every thought into Scripture.
Explain: I need to be mindful not to listen to random thoughts and beliefs from people but rather
fact check those with the truths of the Scripture. If something is said that does not line up with
the Word of God, it is a false teaching that I cannot give mind to.
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E. I will listen for the Word of God.
Explain: As Peter mentions in the final verse, no prophecy was ever from man. If I hope to be
successful in my life, I need to listen for God’s voice, pray to Him continuously and read
Scripture religiously.
