BIBL 360
Name: Steven A. Graham
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.
oYes
oNo
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.
oYes
oNo
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 (ESV) Peter expresses his intention to always remind his readers of the qualities they
should possess, expressed earlier in this passage, even though they already know
them.
12 Peter acknowledges that his readers already know these things and their firm
standing in the truth.
13 As long as Peter lives, he says, he believes it is right to stir up those he is writing
by reminding them of these things.
14 Peter refers to Jesus’ prophetic word over him, noting that he will be leaving this
life.
15 Because Peter knows his time is short, here on earth, he wants to ensure that the
readers remember all that he has told them.
16 Peter assures the reader that he and the other apostles have not “devised myths”
but were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.
17 Peter reminds his readers that Jesus was affirmed by God the father, himself, and
not men.
18 Peter upholds that he and the other apostles were witnesses of this affirmation
and Jesus’ transfiguration.
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18 Peter and the others heard the voice of God the Father speak from heaven and
call Jesus his Son.
18 Peter assures his reader that he and the others were with Jesus upon the “holy
mountain” and heard the voice from heaven speaking to him.
19 Peter emphasizes the reliability of the prophetic words about Jesus.
19 Peter likens these prophetic words to a light shining in the dark, being fully
revealed in their hearts.
20 Peter tells his readers; they must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever
came from someone’s own interpretation.
21 Nor did any prophecy come from the prophet’s own initiative, but the prophets
were moved by the Holy Spirit, speaking from God.
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 Simeon Peter is writing to a body of believers about moral uprightness.
12 Peter assumes that his audience is already walking in the way which he has
prescribed.
12 While the NLT simply says, “I will always remind you about these things,” the
ESV writes “I intend always to remind you of these qualities.”
12-13 Peter emphasizes the need to be reminded of the truth (Scripture).
13 Peter notes that being reminded of the promises of God and the truth within
Scripture will stir up the believer.
13 The ESV writes “to stir you up,” while the NLT excludes this part of verse 13.
14 This verse highlights Peter’s deep trust in the words of Jesus.
12-15 Peter emphasizes the importance of remembering Scripture.
16-18 Peter’s faith is not blind faith, but faith based upon evidence.
16-18 Peter moves from speaking of only himself to speaking of himself and others,
giving further credibility to his account of Jesus and the gospel message.
17 The NLT writes, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” The
ESV writes, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
19 Peter notes that he and the other apostles have a greater confidence in the words
of the prophets because, in Jesus, they witnessed the fulfillment of many of their
prophetic words.
19 Peter encourages the reader, once again, to pay attention to the words of
Scripture.
19 In light of verses 12-15, Peter’s emphasis on the importance of Old Testament
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prophecy cannot be ignored.
19 This underscores the divinity of Jesus, as he is the fulfillment of Old Testament
prophecy.
20-21 Again, Peter highlights the importance of the words of the prophets, noting that
these are not simply words from men, but they are words from God.
20-21 This final verse, in this section of Peter’s letter, solidifies Peter’s argument that
the words of Scripture, the words of the prophets are words for life. The believer
should cling to them, trust in them, follow them, and store them in their hearts,
always looking to the day they will be fulfilled.
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:
a. Simeon Peter (Peter) is the author of this letter (1:1).
i. Peter was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus.
b. Peter is writing to others who “share the same precious faith” (1:2, NLT) or
“have obtained a faith of equal standing” (1:2, ESV) with his and the other
apostles.
c. The other apostles are brought to mind.
i. At least James and John are brought to mind when Peter speaks of
their experience on the mount of transfiguration (1:16-18).
d. God the Father is mentioned.
i. Peter brings to memory God’s confirmation of Jesus, when Jesus
“received honor and glory from God the Father” (1:17, NLT).
ii. And when the Father said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased” (1:17, ESV).
e. Jesus Christ is also mentioned in Peter’s letter.
i. He is the one who showed Peter his time on earth was short (1:14).
ii. Peter brings to memory his and the other apostles’ experience with
Jesus on the “holy mountain” (1:16-18).
f. The Holy Spirit
i. It is the Holy Spirit which moves the prophet to write or speak the
words of God (1:21).
ii. Thus, the Holy Spirit is with Peter as he writes this letter.
iii. It is right to believe the Holy Spirit is also present with those the letter
is written to.
g. The prophets of old are brought to memory as Peter refers to them and the
words they left behind in Scripture (1:19-21).
ii. What:
a. Scripture/Tanakh/Old Testament.
i. Peter refers to Scripture, meaning the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) or the
Christian Old Testament, explaining the importance of understanding
and remembering the words within it (1:12-21).
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b. Prophecy
i. Peter underscores the importance of prophecy (1:19-21).
ii. How Jesus fulfilled prophecy (1:16-18).
iii. How prophecy encourages faith (1:19).
iv. How the believer must pay close attention to prophecy (1:19).
c. Peter is writing this letter to encourage other believers:
i. In hopes that God would give them more grace and peace (1:2).
ii. That they would grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus (1:2).
iii. To trust in and respond to God’s promises in Scripture (1:5).
iv. To work hard, proving they are truly among those God has chosen
(1:10).
v. To remind them of the promises of God and the things they have been
taught of Jesus, so they might save them to memory (1:12-13).
vi. To believe in the gospel message and the words of the prophets (1:16-
21).
d. Peter is reminding other believers how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of old
(1:16-18).
e. Peter is reminding other believers the way in which they should live (1:5-7).
f. Peter affirms that the believer should pursue evidential faith, thus studying the
scriptures is all the more important (1:16-19).
iii. Where:
a. Peter brings to memory the mount of transfiguration or “the holy mountain”
(1:18).
iv. When:
a. Peter brings to memory when he, James, and John were with Jesus on the holy
mountain (1:16-19).
b. Peter speaks of the day when Christ shines in the heart of those who believe
(1:19).
c. The time when Peter was writing this letter (the early first century).
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.
English Standard Version
PIVOT & EXPLAINATION
12Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are
established in the truth that you have.
13I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear
to me.
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15And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall
these things.
CLIMAX, PIVOT, & EXPLAINATION
16For 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.
17For 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,”
18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy
mountain.
PIVOT, CAUSE TO EFFECT, COMPARISON & EXPLAINATION
19And we have the prophetic word more fully 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,
20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own
interpretation.
21For 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
12-15 PIVOT—Peter pivots from encouraging the readers to be diligent in practicing
the virtues of Christ to stressing the importance of reminding them of these truths
12-15 EXPLAINATION—Peter explains that he intends to remind them of these things
as often as he can, as well as explaining that he is doing this to stir them up.
16-18 CLIMAX—These verses serve as the culmination of the themes in this chapter.
Peter’s testimony and eyewitness account serves as the reason for his prior call to
godliness and the coming encouragement to trust in the words of prophecy.
16-18 PIVOT—Peter transitions from explaining why he is reminding the readers of the
virtues and truths of the faith to affirming the authenticity of his testimony and
the authority of all that he is writing and encouraging the reader to do.
16-18 EXPLAINATION—Peter explains that he and the others are not following
myths, like the pagans. Peter then expounds upon that claim by explaining what it
was that he and the others witnessed.
19-21 PIVOT—Peter now pivots from his testimony to encouraging the readers to trust
in the words of prophecy found in the scriptures.
19-21 CAUSE TO EFFECT—Witnessing Christ on the holy mountain caused Peter and
the others to “have the prophetic word more fully confirmed” in their hearts.
19-21 EXPLAINATION—Peter explains how no prophecy is from man but it is from
God.
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C. Using the examples provided in the textbook and in the additional resources folder
construct a brief outline of 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Exhortation: The importance of remembering the promises and power of God given to the
believer (1:12-15).
Example: Evidence of the promises and power of God (1:16-18).
Conclusion: Continue to remember and trust in the promises and power of God (1:19-21).
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
i. Who? (The characters)
a. Simeon Peter (Peter) is the author of this letter (1:1).
i. Peter was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus.
ii. “For more than 17 centuries this brief but poignant epistle has
withstood the blasts of skeptical scholars who have denied the
authenticity of its claim to Petrine authorship.”1
b. Peter is writing to others who “share the same precious faith” (1:2, NLT) or
“have obtained a faith of equal standing” (1:2, ESV) with his and the other
apostles.
i. Peter “addressed the same readers” he addresses in his first epistle.2
1. “To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1, English
Standard Version).
c. The other apostles are brought to mind.
i. At least James and John are brought to mind when Peter speaks of
their experience on the mount of transfiguration (1:16-18).
d. God the Father is mentioned.
i. Peter brings to memory God’s confirmation of Jesus, when Jesus
“received honor and glory from God the Father” (1:17, NLT).
ii. And when the Father said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased” (1:17, ESV).
e. Jesus Christ is also mentioned in Peter’s letter.
i. He is the one who showed Peter his time on earth was short (1:14).
1 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985),
859.
2 Ibid., pg. 859.
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ii. Peter brings to memory his and the other apostles’ experience with
Jesus on the “holy mountain” (1:16-18).
f. The Holy Spirit
i. It is the Holy Spirit which moves the prophet to write or speak the
words of God (1:21).
ii. Thus, the Holy Spirit is with Peter as he writes this letter.
iii. It is right to believe the Holy Spirit is also present with those the letter
is written to.
g. The prophets of old are brought to memory as Peter refers to them and the
words they left behind in Scripture (1:19-21).
ii. What? (Key truths or Events)
a. “Peter presented four sources of power for spiritual development in his
readers.”3
i. The power of being called by God.
ii. The power of testimony.
iii. The power of Christ himself, seated in majesty, interceding for his
followers.
iv. A final source of power for the readers was the prophetic message of
Scripture.4
b. Scripture/Tanakh/Old Testament.
i. Peter refers to Scripture, meaning the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) or the
Christian Old Testament, explaining the importance of understanding
and remembering the words within it (1:12-21).
c. Prophecy
i. Peter underscores the importance of prophecy (1:19-21).
ii. How Jesus fulfilled prophecy (1:16-18).
iii. How prophecy encourages faith (1:19).
iv. How the believer must pay close attention to prophecy (1:19).
d. Peter is writing this letter to encourage other believers:
i. In hopes that God would give them more grace and peace (1:2).
ii. That they would grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus (1:2).
iii. To trust in and respond to God’s promises in Scripture (1:5).
iv. To work hard, proving they are truly among those God has chosen
(1:10).
v. To remind them of the promises of God and the things they have been
taught of Jesus, so they might save them to memory (1:12-13).
vi. To believe in the gospel message and the words of the prophets (1:16-
21).
e. Peter is reminding other believers how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of old
(1:16-18).
f. Peter is reminding other believers the way in which they should live (1:5-7).
g. Peter affirms that the believer should pursue evidential faith, thus studying the
scriptures is all the more important (1:16-19).
3 Thomas D. Lea, “The General Letters,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, edited by
David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 641.
4 Ibid., pg. 642.
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iii. Where? (Geography and Location)
a. Peter brings to memory the mount of transfiguration or “the holy mountain”
(1:18).
b. Peter was “living the last few years of his life in Rome.”5
iv. When? (Time factors)
a. Peter brings to memory when he, James, and John were with Jesus on the holy
mountain (1:16-19).
b. Peter speaks of the day when Christ shines in the heart of those who believe
(1:19).
c. The time when Peter was writing this letter (the early first century).
i. “Peter may be conservatively placed some time after the writing of 1
Peter and before Peter’s death, between a.d. 64 and 68.”6
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
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
5 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985),
862.
6 Ibid., pg. 862.
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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:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 2:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 3:
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Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 4:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
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Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 2:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 3:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
C. Where? (The Geography and location)
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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:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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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?
The Need:
The Message:
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.
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 ___________________:
A _______________________ to _____________________________.
Explain:
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B. Relationship with ___________________:
A(n) _____________________ to _____________________________.
Explain:
C. Relationship with ___________________:
A(n) _____________________ to _____________________________.
Explain:
D. Relationship with ___________________:
A(n) _____________________ to _____________________________.
Explain:
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.
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.
Explain:
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B.
Explain:
C.
Explain:
D.
Explain:
E.
Explain:
