BIBLE STUDY – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015
THEME FOR THE YEAR: A Church Awaiting the Lord’s Return (Rev. 22: 12; Matt 25: 13)
THEME FOR BIBLE STUDY: Rooted In Him and Dedicated To His Coming (COL. 2: 6-7)
TOPIC: ACTS OF FALSE TEACHERS – DANGER TO GROWING CHRISTIANS
TEXT: 2 PETER 2: 1- 22
AIM
To remind us, as growing Christians, of the need to keep away from false teachers who will become prevalent in the last days, doing or saying anything for money, despising the things of God, proud and boastful; but they will be judged and punished by God at the appointed time.
INTRODUCTION
Peter gives a warning about the false prophecy that will be put forward to fight Christians in their Christian living. Jesus Himself taught about these false prophets (Matthew 24: 11; Mark 13: 22 – 23). The danger of falsehood leads to shameful ways, bringing the faith into disrepute because their teaching is a complete denial of the truth.
The Apostle warns against this (2 Peter 2: 1 – 3). He draws from the incidents from the Old Testament (2 Kings 3: 13; Isaiah 44: 25; Jeremiah 23: 16 – 40; Ezekiel 13: 2 – 3; Micah 3: 5; Zechariah 13: 2). He picks out from these examples the position aspects of God’s mercy and His ability to deliver His own from the ungodly. It is important that Christians, living in corrupt and ungodly world, be prepared to prove the reality of their faith (2 Peter 2: 4 – 10).
The character of these false teachers is dangerous as seen in their true nature. They are insolent (2 Peter 2: 10 – 12), licentious (2 Peter 2: 13), immoral and greedy (2 Peter 2: 14 -16). What they offer may sound attractive, but it lacks any substance. They use sensual pleasure to attract new Christians back to the world, and it is totally deceptive. With false teaching and loose morals comes a particularly destructive disease – the loss of true love for God and others. Sin cools your love for God and others by turning your focus on yourself. You cannot truly love if you think only of yourself.
Ponder over the promise of the false teachers in 2 Peter 2: 19. The freedom they seem to offer leads only to the bondage of sin. It is a shame to be deceived by those who are themselves slaves of sin and corruption and are led captive by the devil at his pleasure. It is dangerous to fall into apostasy (2 Peter 2: 20 – 22), and God is more highly provoked by those who by their conduct despise the Gospel (Hebrews 10: 26 – 31).
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
- What are the characteristics of these false teachers and some of the doctrines they hold on to (2 Peter 2: 1 – 3, 10b)?
- What imagery does the Apostle Peter use to denounce these false teachers (2 Peter 2: 12 – 19; Numbers 31: 16)?
- How can we better evaluate people who claim to be teachers in the Church of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5: 21; 1 John 4: 1; Matthew 7: 15 – 20)?
- What dangers will the lifestyle of false teachers have on the spiritual life of the growing Christians?
- Why will people still follow these false teachers mindful of the fact that judgment awaits them (2 Peter 2: 2 – 10a)?
FOR REFLECTION
There are many ‘false prophets’ (Matthew 24: 11, 24) around with counterfeit signs of spiritual power and authority. They claim to receive messages from God, but preach a ‘health and wealth’ message. They say what the people want to hear, even when the nation is not following God as it should. Jesus said, false teachers would come, and He warned His disciples, as He is warning us, not to listen to their dangerous words.
The only sure way to keep away from being deceived is to focus on Christ and His words. Don’t look for special signs, and don’t spend time looking at other people. Look at Christ.
MEMORY VERSE – MATTHEW 24: 4 – 5.
“Jesus told them (Christians), “Don’t’ let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah’. They will deceive many”.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, give me grace to discern false teaching and to turn away from any form of deception; may I never turn away from the faith that was once for all entrusted to the Saints (Jude v. 3).