HOPE IN THE DAY OF THE LORD

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

UNDERSTAND the significance of holy living; FEEL CONFIDENT that Jesus will return for His Church; and ANTICIPATE the day when God will make all things new. 

FOCAL VERSES: 2 Peter 3:1-15

KEEP IN MIND:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Believe God's Word (2 Peter 3:1-4)

2. Believe in God's Creation (vv. 5-9)

3. Believe God's Promise (vv. 10-13)

4. Be Spotless, Blameless, and at Peace with Him (vv. 14-15a)

IN FOCUS:

Willie was looking out of the window when his mother, Falicia, arrived home. "Willie, what are you doing at the window?" she asked. Willie did not turn to look at her. He continued to stare out of the window as he replied, "I'm waiting for my daddy to come and take me to the ball game." 

Falicia walked over to Willie. "Honey, did your dad call today?"

"Yes, ma'am," mumbled Willie. "He said that he'd pick me up around 4 o'clock."

Falicia walked away. It was already 5:30, and she did not have the heart to tell her son that his daddy probably was not coming. Falicia knew her former husband, Johnny, was not a man who kept his promises. He would simply not show up, then call a couple of weeks later with some lame excuse. 

As Falicia walked to her room, she turned to look at Willie who was still staring out of the window. She know her son was counting on his father to keep his promise. She prayed that Johnny would not let Willie down again. 

A promise is a binding declaration between two or more people or institutions. Only God keeps every one of his promises. In this week's lesson, Peter confirms Jesus' promise to return and to usher in the new heaven and new earth. 

BACKGROUND:

The Apostle Peter wrote this text not only to warn the church about false teachers but to exhort them to grow in their faith and in the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. One principle area of attack from false teachers was the return and future judgement of Jesus Christ. If there was no future judgement, then people were free to live as they chose. In the final chapter of his second epistle, Peter directly challenges this error.

He begins by admonishing the people to remember those things that he had taught them. It is important to remember the words proclaimed by anointed men and women of God. They challenge us to live holy lives, to use our gifts and talents for God, and to keep us from becoming complacent. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES:

1. What three things does Peter want to remind the people of (2 Peter 3:2-4)?

2. Why is the Lord delaying His coming and the execution of judgement of the world (v.9)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. What are some false teachings that are being spread in the church today? How do you know that these teachings are false?

2. Wille (In Focus) is waiting but without hope. Use Scriptures from today to explain our hope in waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus. 

3. If the "day of the Lord" is coming as a thief in the night, what characteristics can you identify in people's behavior or in institutional activities that suggest the Lord may be coming soon?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Many people in our society live according to a "bumper sticker" mentality. Some believe they should "live fast, die young, and make a beautiful corpse." Others believe that "the person who dies with the most toys wins."

These people live for immediate pleasure and are not concerned with the consequences. They believe they will somehow escape the consequences of their actions today and in the hereafter. They are either ignorant of or flatly deny the return of Jesus and God's judgement of the rebellious. How does society perpetuate the idea of living just for the now?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Read the following Scripture texts. Identify the statement said to be the will of God: 1 Thessalonians 4:3;  5:18;  2 Peter 3:9. Decide to obey God's will in these matters until Jesus comes. 

(Except for The Apostolic Way)

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ON-LESSON BROUGHT TO BY:

GoToTraining

FROM ACORNS TO OAK TREES

Something for the Youth

Time's a-Wastin'

"Sade, come in here for a minute." "Yes?" Sade's big sister, Mecca, was home from graduate school and wanted to talk to Sade before Sade headed out with her friends. "I haven't had a chance to really talk with you. You are a busy girl."

Sade smiled. "Yeah, I've got lots of friends this year. Senior year has been fun!"

"Seems like it is dangerous, too. I found the cigarettes in your glove compartment."

"What are you doing snooping around in my car?" Mecca sighed. "Our car. I also found the condoms under our bathroom sink." Sade rolled her eyes and turned around to leave. 

"Wait, Sade! I just want you to talk to me. Are you happy?" 

"Of course! I'm popular. Boys think I'm pretty. I get invited to all the important parties."

"Do the boys also think you are smart and worthy of their respect? I don't want you to make decisions that have consequences you aren't ready for. You are still so young."

"C'mon, Mecca. You did all kinds of stuff in high school, and you turned out fine."

"I'm not saying I didn't make bad decisions." Mecca paused. "You ever have one of your parties or a picture of you smoking show up on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr?"

"Not me, but another girl at school had some really embarrassing pictures of her from a party posted online. She was drunk and half-naked." 

"You're blessed it wasn't you this time. Stuff is different for you now. Things are changing so fast. In an instant, one of your bad decisions could be permanently recorded for the whole world," Mecca said. "You have your whole future ahead of you. I love you, and I don't want one bad decision to cause you to lose future opporturnites."

"I'll holler at you when I get home," Sade said. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

IN MY HEART 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

SIDEBAR

Hope in the Day of the Lord

Some Christians use God's grace as an excuse to continue making selfish and sinful decisions. Christians were also doing this during the time of Peter. Peter wanted Christians to know God is patiently waiting, desiring that everyone receive salvation. Peter encouraged the believers to live holy lives, always ready for the return of Christ. There was not then and is not now a way to figure out out exactly when Christ will return for all the people of God, so Peter encouraged Christians to live joyously, expecting Christ's return. 

HOW TO BE READY FOR CHRIST'S RETURN

1. Live every day in service and gratitude to God. 

2. Pray daily for wisdom

3. Be a blessing even as you are blessed. 

JAM SESSION

There have always been people who believe that what has been and what is will always be. What will inspire them to look more positively toward the future? The writer of 2 Peter urges his readers to prepare for the day of the Lord by being patient and living holy, godly lives. Often, Christians live by taking advantage of God's grace and only looking toward heaven, but God welcomes us to live every day in His presence, not just awaiting Christ's return. Living a holy life every day is freedom instead of the restriction many people think it is. Mecca talks to Sade about Sade's poor decisions, but Sade thinks she has all the time in the world to start making better decisions and grow up. Right now she just wants to have fun. What kinds of consequences could Sade face that would change her whole future?

JAM ON IT

Are You Ready?

Is there something you'd like to change that would allow you to live a better life in service and love for God? If Christ returned this week, what would you change? Spend this week working on one improvement to your character. 

(Except for The Apostolic Way)