ER Week 6
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. —2 Peter 1:3-4
God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance —2 Peter 1:5-6
Discussion 1
How have you done?
How have you added virtue?
How have you added knowledge?
How have you added self control?
How have you added patient endurance?
Discussion 2
And to your patient endurance, Godliness; and Godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. —2 Peter 1:7-8
How do we show these things to those around us?
What have you done this week to add Godliness?
How have you had an opportunity to add brotherly affection?
What about this… in looking back at your week, where did you miss those opportunities?
Discussion 3
And Brotherly Affection with love for everyone. —2 Peter 1:8
What’s the difference between brotherly affection and love for everyone?
Why does it matter?
How do we demonstrate it?
Brotherly affection proves we are his disciples, but our love for everyone brings people to God!
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them. To those who despise you, continue to serve them and minister to them. If someone takes away your coat, give him as a gift your shirt as well. When someone comes to beg from you, give to that person what you have. When things are wrongly taken from you, do not demand they be given back. The way you want others to treat you is how you should treat everyone else.
“Are you really showing true love by loving only those who love you? Even those who don’t know God will do that. Are you really showing compassion when you do good deeds only to those who do good deeds to you? Even those who don’t know God will do that.
“If you lend money only to those you know will repay you, what credit is that to your character? Even those who don’t know God do that. Rather love your enemies and continue to treat them well. When you lend money, don’t despair if you are never paid back, for it is not lost. You will receive a rich reward and you will be known as true children of the Most High God, having his same nature. Be like your Father who is famous for his kindness to heal even the thankless and cruel. Overflow with mercy and compassion for others, just as your heavenly Father overflows with mercy and compassion for all.” —LUKE 6:27-36