Use one or both of these questions to introduce the lesson.

1. In a court of law, how important to an event are eyewitness accounts?

2. If you were a military commander, which would be worse: a full attack on all sides or a mutiny?

Read 2 Peter 1:12-15

1. Do you ever struggle with believing your salvation? The “things” Peter reminds believers is that they have been called and chosen by God. Talk about why, in his final communication, Peter wanted every believer to remember this.

2. Many prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, life, and death. Outline the tenets of what Peter taught here about prophecy. How does this help you better understand the accuracy and factuality of the Old Testament prophets?

Read 2 Peter 1:16-21

3. Have you ever wondered if (or have you been taught) the Bible is just a fairy tale, metaphor, or an old self-help book, or that Jesus was just a “good teacher”? List four reasons for proof of Scriptural truth given in this passage (see verses 16, 18, 19, and 21).

4. Peter was an eyewitness to Jesus’ transfiguration. Read Matthew 17:1-9. Can you imagine, under Holy Spirit inspiration, as the ink flowed from his pen, what the apostle was remembering in this passage? Read John 14:25-27. Discuss what role the Holy Spirit has in reminding us of what we have been shown and taught and how we can have peace in what we know to be true.

5. What is your favorite verse in this passage? Write it on a notecard, make it your screensaver, and memorize it this week.

Read 2 Peter 2:1-3

6. In the apostle Peter’s last words to the church, consider the huge threat he warned believers about in this passage. Discuss which is harder to overcome—an external or internal attack—and why.

7. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 10-17. What will people be like in the last days? Discuss how Paul warned Timothy of coming heresy and persecution and what solutions he gave to help Timothy overcome.

8. Brainstorm practical ways to guard against false teaching and create a game plan to equip yourself against false teachers in the upcoming month.

Conclude your group time with prayer, using the following as a guide.

Lord, give us assurance of faith based on God’s Word and not on cleverly invented stories. Draw us into Scripture so that it colors our language and thoughts so thoroughly and establishes us in the truth so deeply that when false teachers and heresy come, we will not be exploited but be fully equipped to respond with biblical rebuke and correction in wisdom.