Background Passage: 2 Peter 2:1-22
Lesson Passage: 2 Peter 2:1-3,12-14,17-22
Before the Session
Draw a simple compass axis on the board or a large sheet of paper, showing
simply the four points of a compass.
Identify Spiritual Error (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Call attention to the compass. Point to the axis that points north and ask
what the opposite direction is. Do the same with the west axis.
Say: This seems rather simplistic, but sometimes what should
seem obvious isn’t always that simple. Call attention last week’s lesson and how
the passages for this week begin with the word “But,” suggesting that Peter is
about to head in the opposite direction from last week’s material.
Explain that Peter begins to address potentially destructive circumstances in
the church in these verses. Point out to learners how potentially destructive
dangers are not always the most obvious or easily seen. Explain that the
following story sheds light on how small problems can have potentially
devastating consequences.
Read:
Wolf Creek Dam Deemed High Risk
Potential death and destruction are ever-present topics of discussion for
residents along the lower side of the Wolf Creek Dam, a Tennessee Valley
Authority dam east of the Nashville, TN area. Cracks in the 50-year-old
facility have revealed that the dam could fail and cause extensive flooding
along the Cumberland River.
The dam is located near Jamestown, in south-central Kentucky. Wolf Creek Dam
holds back 101 miles of the Cumberland, Army Corps of Engineer officials
have taken emergency measures to lower the water level upstream from the
lake, and have released maps to the public showing threatened areas and the
speeds at which the Cumberland River could rise if the dam failed.
Officials indicate the source of the threat is water seeping under the dam,
eroding the limestone on which the concrete structure was constructed.
According to the Army Corps of Engineer, the dam itself is fine. However,
Corps officials also have advised people along the river to be aware of the
situation and be prepared to take action if conditions deteriorate.
Source: “Wolf Creek Dam Deemed High Risk,” WKRN-TV, 22 January 2007,
www.wkrn.com
Read or enlist a volunteer to read 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Note that in these verses Peter addresses the infection that grows from false
teaching in the Christian church. Remember that the letter was written to
Christians, so the infusion of “destructive heresies” (v. 1, HCSB) into the
teaching by false teachers was a practice the faithful needed to guard against.
Peter points out that these heresies would bring destruction to those who
listened to and accepted such teachings.
Ask:
How are heresies like small leaks below the foundation of a dam?
How are we to identify false teachings?
Who is responsible for identifying false teaching?
Denounce Spiritual Error (2 Peter 2:12-14)
Say:
Respond to this statement: Society today seems to have little sense of
moral consciousness.
How does this statement make you feel?
Allow time for responses.
Read or enlist a volunteer to read 2 Peter 2:12-14.
Explain that society is a collective picture of the nature of those who make up
the group known as society. In other words, society is a reflection of the
people. The general disregard for moral values can be found in countless ways,
but it seems to be particularly evident in copyright violations.
Read:
Four students cited for illegal file sharing
Four Santa Clara students who have yet to be identified or notified were
cited for illegal file sharing recently by the Recording Industry
Association of America and may face subpoenas or settlements ranging from
$2,500 to $30,000, according to school officials.
“We’ve gotten these notices to preserve evidence, and that usually is a
precursor to these offers of settlement, said Ron Danielson, vice provost
for information services and chief information officer.
The university also has received a “record number” of notes related to
copyright violations.
Most instances of violations of file sharing are handled internally,
according to school officials, who try to make students aware of the moral
implications of their actions in violating copyright laws.
“Students who get caught will probably never do it again,” said one freshman
who was caught illegally sharing files earlier this year. “That firm warning
from the dean was enough for me.”
Source: Richard Nieva, “Four students cited for illegal file sharing,”
The Santa Clara, 03 May 2007,
www.thesantaclara.com
Say: Erroneous teachings can have far greater
implications than violations of copyright law.
Point out the dangers Peter was addressing in these verses.
Ask:
What happens when Christians are deceived into believing that immorality
is not as bad as it might seem?
Should Christians challenge those who compromise biblical teachings?
How?
What happens when Christians fail to challenge false teachers?
Stand Against Spiritual Error (2 Peter 2:17-22)
Say: Taking a stand can be costly.
Read:
Former MP arrested after accusing government of corruption
A former lawmaker was arrested recently after he accused Jordan’s government
of corruption in an e-mail to an American senator, officials said.
Ahmad Oweidi al-Abbadi, chairman of a small right-wing group called the
Jordanian National Movement, was detained for 15 days pending interrogation,
a judicial official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
because he was not allowed to speak to the media.
The official said al-Abbadi was charged with three counts—harming the
state’s dignity, slandering officials, and violating laws governing e-mail
practices.
Source: The Associated Press, “Former MP arrested after accusing government
of corruption,” International Herald Tribune, 03 May 2007,
www.iht.com
Explain that despite his earlier mistakes and his shortcomings, Peter is
boldly challenging corrupt teaching and intentional disregard for presenting
Christ’s teachings accurately.
Read or enlist a volunteer to read 2 Peter 2:17-22.
Ask:
Why do some people teach things that they don’t understand?
Why does such teaching in the church harm Christians and unbelievers?
How have you been influenced by inaccurate or blatantly false teachings
about the Bible?
Close the session with prayer, asking God to empower students to discern
spiritual error and take a stand for spiritual truth.
EXTRA! is a supplement designed
to enhance and expand the effectiveness of printed curriculum provided by
LifeWay Church Resources.
EXTRA! is produced by Publishing
Services and Multimedia, LifeWay Church Resources, Copyright 2007, LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SPECIAL NOTE: Some Internet
addresses given in EXTRA! are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. Because of
the changing nature of the Web, EXTRA! editors cannot be held responsible for
content on pages outside their control. At the time of this posting, the
specific pages mentioned have been viewed and approved by the EXTRA! editorial
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EXTRA! Weekly Supplemental Teaching Plans
Adult
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life EXTRA
May 20, 2007
Confront in Love
Ashley Linne
Background Passage: Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5
Focal Verses: Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5
Before the Session
Download the Confront
in Love handout and make enough copies for all group members.
Matthew 18:15-17
Read:
Sudan and Chad agree border force
Sudan and Chad have agreed to co-operate with the African Union and the
United Nations to stabilize Darfur and the neighboring region of Chad.
The deal, signed by their presidents in Saudi Arabia, includes the formation
of a joint border force and the deployment of observers to the war-torn
region.
Both leaders also promised not to support each other's rebels.
Last month, their armies clashed in Darfur. Earlier peace deals have failed
to ease tension between them.
Chad shares a long border with Sudan's lawless Darfur region, where some
200,000 people have died during a four-year conflict and the border areas
have a similar ethnic make-up.
The conflict in Darfur has spilled over the border, forcing some 120,000
Chadians to join the more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees in camps.
Sudan's Omar al-Bashir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby signed the
reconciliation deal after a summit hosted by Saudi's King Abdullah.
Correspondents say the two presidents appeared relaxed and smiling during
the signing ceremony.
"The two sides will adhere to working with the African Union and the United
Nations to end the conflict in Darfur and east Chad to realise stability and
peace for all," Reuters news agency reports a Saudi official as saying.
The UN has approved funding for an 11,000-strong force to be sent to
stabilize the eastern border region, although Chad has said it only wants a
police operation, not a military one.
Source: “Sudan and Chad agree border force,” BBC News, 3 May 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk
Say: The world handles conflict in various ways, but Jesus gives guidelines
for how Christians should confront others lovingly so that the situation is
resolved properly.
Read Matthew 18:15-17.
Say: Confronting others rarely is an easy thing to do, and it can be even
more difficult to do in love. However, Jesus instructs us to let each other know
when there is a problem so it can be resolved as soon as possible. Jesus says
to take a matter to the individual in private first rather than in public. It
can be very tempting to vent to others about how a person may have wronged us
instead of confronting the individual, but we must resist this temptation.
Ask:
Why can it be so difficult to go to confront a person who has hurt or
offended us?
Why does it sometimes seem easier to talk to someone else about it
instead?
Say: Jesus knows the human heart well, and so He knew there would be times
when two people would be unable to work out a situation without help. On
occasion, we may need others to intervene to assist with bringing resolution
to a conflict, and sometimes the issue may require church leaders to get
involved. In Matthew 18:18-35, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of agreement and
forgiveness among His followers. With love as our motive and driving force,
Jesus desires that we resolve conflict and maintain unity with one another.
Ask:
What steps can we take to lovingly approach and confront a person who
has offended us?
How can we maintain a loving attitude when confronting someone?
Galatians 5:13-15
Read Galatians 5:13-15.
Say: Paul is speaking of the freedom we have as followers of Christ in this
passage. He explains that this freedom does not give us permission to indulge in
our own selfish desires. Instead, our freedom in Christ frees us from bondage to
selfishness and sinfulness so we may serve one another in love. When confronting
one another, we must be careful not to “bite and devour” (v. 15, HCSB) one
another. The Greek words used here indicate wounding the soul, stripping people
of their goods, and destruction. We must remember that our words and actions are
powerful, and they can be used either to edify or to tear down others. We must
avoid harming our brothers and sisters in Christ so our witness to the world
will not be weakened.
Ask:
Is it possible to lovingly serve someone by confronting them?
If so, how?
Distribute the Confront in Love handout. Allow time for the members to work
in groups to complete and discuss steps that can be taken to confront conflict
in love. If time permits, allow the groups to share with the entire class.
Galatians 6:1-5
Read Galatians 6:1-5.
Say: We can be of great help to others when we confront them gently. Even
though their sins may seem great to us, we must remember we, too, are
susceptible to sin's grip. In fact, when we think more highly of ourselves than
we should, we have fallen prey to sin ourselves—especially in the area of pride.
When attempting to help a person caught in wrongdoing, we always must remember
that since we are human, we are just as capable of being lured into sin as they
are. The word restore (v. 1) refers to repairing something that has
been broken, to bringing something to completion, or to adjusting something to
fit properly.
Ask:
What are some characteristics of a scriptural confrontation, one that is
gentle yet truthful?
When we must confront others in love, how can we prepare ourselves
spiritually before meeting with the other person?
Say: Two instructions are given in this passage concerning the carrying of
burdens. First, we are instructed to carry the burdens of others (v. 2). Then we
are instructed to carry our own load (v. 5). Verse 2 is an exhortation to
fulfill Christ’s command to love one another by shouldering the heaviness of
another’s troubles. We can assist one another in overcoming the weight of sin. A
good rule of thumb when we are confronting sin is that if we care enough to
point it out, then we need to care enough to help the person out. However, Paul
also tells us each person is responsible for his or her own “load" (v. 5, HCSB).
The Greek word used for load can refer to the responsibilities we have
as Christ’s followers and can also refer to things that lay on one’s conscience.
Ask:
What does Jesus say about the loads and burdens we bear in Matthew
11:28-30?
What help does this verse offer to those who must lovingly confront a
brother or sister in Christ?
Encourage group members to remember their responsibility to go directly to
the one who has wronged them, to confront gently, and to remember that we are to
help one another bear the weight of burdens. Also encourage them to remember
that the Holy Spirit guides us in all our interactions, even difficult ones that
require confrontation, when we yield to Him.
Close in prayer. Pray that the conflict in Darfur will be resolved in a way that
pleases God and spares the lives of innocent people.
EXTRA! is a supplement designed
to enhance and expand the effectiveness of printed curriculum provided by
LifeWay Church Resources.
EXTRA! is produced by Publishing
Services and Multimedia, LifeWay Church Resources, Copyright 2007, LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SPECIAL NOTE: Some Internet
addresses given in EXTRA! are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. Because of
the changing nature of the Web, EXTRA! editors cannot be held responsible for
content on pages outside their control. At the time of this posting, the
specific pages mentioned have been viewed and approved by the EXTRA! editorial
staff. However, at the time of your viewing, the information on these pages may
have changed. Links from the specific page addresses referenced in this material
possibly could link to inappropriate material.
