Introduction
In this session, 2 Peter 2 10-22, we focus on understanding the doctrine of false prophecies and false prophets in terms of their conduct, their condemnation, and their character. False teachers are the unwanted rejects (by-products) of God’s processing of his leaders.
Objectives
By the end of this session, the learner will have:
- Compared the biblical prophets and false prophets (prophecy) by listing their conduct, their condemnation, and their characteristics.
- Understood that the anti-resurrection prophecy by analyzing its characteristics in Matt 28 11-14.
- Determined to avoid and reject false prophets by outlining the judgment of false prophets and how God rescues righteous persons.
- Discussed the dangers of returning to the love of the world, motivated by the false prophets
Outline
- Doctrine of false prophets
- Doctrine of biblical prophets
- Dangers of returning to the world
Group Study Time
2 Peter 2: 10-22
Connecting
- Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
- Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
- Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
- Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.
Comprehending
- Read Matt. 28: 11-15. What do you discover about anti-resurrection prophecy?
- Read 2 Peter 1:19-21. List three qualities of biblical prophecy. How does biblical prophecy benefit the kingdom’s young generations?
- List at least five key words and phrases that characterized or describe false Prophets 2 Peter 2: 10-22.
- Read 2 Peter 2: 20-22. What are the dangers of believers returning to the entanglement of the world, being enticed by the false Prophets
Committing
- Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
- List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
- Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
- Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
- Sin to confess
- Promise to claim
- Attitude to change
- Command to keep
- Error to change
- Prayer to make
- Example to copy
- Truth to obey and
- Something praiseworthy
Communicating
- Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
- Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
- Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.
Post Lesson Teaching Summary
Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!
The danger of false teachers
2 Peter 2: 10-22
Audio Summary
2 Peter 2:10-22
Context
- Continuation from examining false teachers’ conduct, condemnation, and characteristics, now focusing on more traits and the dangers they pose to believers.
- False teachers exploit and deceive, leading to destruction; God reserves judgment for them while rescuing the righteous.
Dangers and Characteristics of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:10-22)
- Bold and Arrogant Nature: False teachers follow corrupt desires, despise authority, are bold and arrogant, not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings without trembling; even angels, though stronger, do not bring slanderous accusations but leave judgment to the Lord.
- Like Irrational Animals: They are like brute beasts, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming in matters they do not understand; they will perish like animals in their own corruption.
- Wages of Unrighteousness: They carouse in broad daylight, are blots and blemishes while reveling in deceptions and feasting with believers; eyes full of adultery, never stop sinning, seduce the unstable, experts in greed—an accursed brood.
- Following Balaam’s Way: They rush for profit into Balaam’s error, who loved wages of wickedness; rebuked by a donkey speaking with human voice to restrain his madness.
- Empty and Reserved for Darkness: Springs without water, mists driven by storm; blackest darkness reserved for them; utter arrogant, empty words, appealing to lustful desires of flesh, enticing people just escaping worldly living.
- Slaves Promising Freedom: Promise freedom while themselves slaves of depravity—for people are slaves to whatever masters them.
- Worse Than Before Knowing Truth: If escaping world’s corruption through knowledge of Christ but entangled and overcome again, their end is worse than the beginning; better not to have known righteousness than to know and turn back from the holy command.
- Like Dog and Sow: True proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and “A sow that is washed returns to wallowing in the mud.”
- Dangers Posed: Bring swift destruction on themselves and others; exploit with fabricated stories; seduce unstable souls; lead back to sin, making condition worse than before; ultimate condemnation reserved.
- Purpose: Recognize false teachers by their greed, arrogance, and deceptive ways; their doctrine leads to corruption and judgment, but God punishes them while rescuing the godly.
Application
- Avoid false teachers who twist truth for sexual desires, despise authority, and promise liberty while enslaved; do not return to old sins like a dog to vomit or sow to mud—stand firm in righteousness to escape destruction.