Pastor’s Notes
Now that we have finished 1 Peter, it is time to jump right into 2 Peter. Most would think that there is a great and obvious connection between 1 and 2 Peter, however there is not. 1 and 2 Peter are of course written by Peter, but the audience who Peter is writing to is not the same. In 1 Peter, Peter is writing to the struggling scattered people who left Jerusalem due to ongoing persecution. In 2 Peter, Peter is writing to all believers, believers during the time in which he was writing and also you and I today.
Also, to whereas Peter’s purpose in his first letter was to encourage believers to suffer well in the midst of hardships, his second letter is to all believers in encouraging Christians to keep the faith and finish well. Most believe that 2 Peter was written near the end of Peter’s life and that his second letter is to all believers of the present and future to finish the race with great faith and strength.
Through our study in Matthew and also Peter’s first letter, I personally have loved the character of Peter. I love his story, personality, and what God did in his life. I can also relate to his ups and downs in the faith and how Peter seemed to live in the mountain tops and valleys of life. I also love 2 Peter because in his second letter, Peter is near the end of his life and is attempting to finish well in his own life by sending out a charge to all believers to do the same.
This week we are starting with only Peter’s introduction, but don’t skim over these first 4 verses so quickly. Peter tells us so much in in these four verses about himself and also why he is writing to us. Much like Solomon did in Ecclesiastes, Peter comes to us with with knowledge and experience that I pray we all hang on and learn from.
Scripture to go along with the message
I want you to go back and read through some of the stories of Peter’s early life that Peter is going to reference near the end of his life in 2 Peter. Read Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-34, and then Luke 22:54-62.
Highlight in your Bible
Highlight verses 1 and 2 in 2 Peter 1 as this is where we will spend most of our time Sunday morning.
Questions to consider
1.) After reading the first four verses, why do you think Peter introduces himself by both his names?
2.) After going through Matthew and 1 Peter, what do you see in Peter’s life that you can relate to and also strive for?
3.) As a christian, how do you personally find hope in Peter’s story? Where do you see God’s goodness in what you have studied so far in Peter’s life?
