Pastor Matt Stokes 2 Peter 1:5-7 Faith Love Filled with the Holy Spirit Fruit of the Spirit Steadfast Patience Endurance Righteousness


Are we applying God’s word to everyday life?
 
Truth + application = spiritual realization
 
2 Peter 1:5a - And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith…
 
Diligence: σπουδή, spoudḗ; n. passionate pursuance; to interest one's self most earnestly.
 
To what do I give “all diligence”?
 
2 Peter 1:5 - And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
 
Faith is the foundation of genuine spiritual life.
 
Who’s ready and willing to accept what God has to say about the need for faith, today?
 
Virtue: ἀρέτη, arétē; n. from the same as manliness (valor), i.e. moral excellence (intrinsic or attributed):-- praise, purity.
 
God calls the Christian to have a character that’s counterintuitive to the natural self.
 
What Christ-centered, counterintuitive characteristics, do others see in you?
 
2 Peter 1:6 - And to your knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
 
Patience: ὑπομονή (hupŏmŏnē); n. optimistic endurance, constancy: (waiting).
 
Don’t quit! Work through your frustrations with persevering patience.
 
We can endure when we know God is in control.
 
2 Peter 1:6c - And to patience godliness.
 
Every part of our character should have the word “godly” in front of it.
 
In what area of your life do you need to reflect more godliness?
 
2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.

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Sermon Discussion Questions - Printable Copy
 
1.     Please read 2 Peter 1:5-7. Peter wrote about giving all diligence. The word “diligence” is a profound word that describes a passionate pursuance. The Greek translation means “to interest oneself most earnestly.” To what are you giving “all diligence”? Does the word “diligence” 
correlate with any of the terms that are being used in verses 5-7?
 
2.     Most of the terms in this passage are words that are counterintuitive to our natural selves. What Christ-centered, counterintuitive characteristic(s), would other people say they see in you? If there are none to speak of, what do you wish the world would see in you?
 
3.     When we think of the word “patience” we often think of a time of waiting. Patience is used in this passage. But, the word’s meaning is much broader, describing a person who is effectively enduring. Can you talk about an area in your life where you are suffering successfully? How can your Connect Group help you be even more successful?
 
4.     There was a strong, exhortation and challenge in the midst of the message, telling believers, “Don’t quit! We can endure when we know God is in control!” What verses in Scripture would you use to encourage yourself, in regards to your life being in the hands of the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, ever-loving God?