SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 9th/10th July 2014
2 Peter 2
Destructive doctrines

We have been made more aware in recent years that adverts for some insurance cover or money making schemes often promise the earth -  BUT we have to look at the small print. Peter has made his case for the gospel that he and the other apostles have proclaimed, and now in this chapter he explains the ‘fine print’ that is hidden in the message of the false teachers. What comes to your mind as you look at this chapter? It may seem distant or outdated – or we may think it could never happen to a church like ours, where we have been known and still are for good Biblical preaching and teaching. The Bible, however, never leaves us room for complacency.

DESCRIPTION OF FALSE TEACHERS    v 1 – 3
These teachers do not wear a badge or a T- shirt proclaiming who they are - -we need to be discerning people. 
‘among the people’ (in Israel) –‘among you’ – Satan will always infiltrate believers groups.
Note the descriptions – attractive - but destructive v1, ineffective v2, and exploitive v3. 
v1	Where do false prophets come from? What is sobering about the end of this verse?
v2	Why do ‘many’ follow false teachers?
v3	The Bible constantly challenges us by what we believe and how we live. See e.g. Matthew 7v15-23 and read what Jesus had to say.

DOOM OF FALSE TEACHERS    v 4 – 11
We might ask –‘why does God allow these false teachers to continue?’ (v9B)
v4-9	Pick out and note the 5 ‘if’s’  God does care about this –see also Romans 1v18
v7-9A	Why are these verses an encouragement, if we feel in Lot’s position? John17v14-15
v10	On whom does God’s punishment especially fall?
v11	Angels have a reverent respect for the authority of God –which those teachers do not. 

DEPRAVITY OF FALSE TEACHERS   v 12 – 16
Recognise their influence – as they distort the truth and encourage unhelpful lifestyles. They may be full of fascinating talk – interesting subjects, but their motives are of a much lower order –such as high living, money, sex and even power over those who are weak.
v12-14 Notice their lifestyle. What are they really after? Their ‘talk’ and ‘walk’ is not the same.
v15-16 Reference here to Balaam in Numbers 22v26-31 –where God had to use a talking donkey to restrain this prophet. How was his behaviour similar to that of false teachers?

DECEPTIONS OF FALSE TEACHERS   v 17 – 22
Are you shocked by these verses? God takes it seriously –see what Jesus said-Luke17v1-2
Notice from these verses- their target, their tactics (v18-19) their timely end (v17&20-22)
v18-19 What sort of things do these teachers promise?
v20	What has gone wrong for these false teachers?
v20-22 What happens to those who constantly disobey God without asking for forgiveness?
In conclusion go back to Chapter 1 and read verses 2-4.

											D.J.
PRAYER POINTS:
Pray for our pastors as they teach God’s Word.
Pray that we each may have a discerning spirit –and not turn away from the truth.
Pray for Holiday Clubs, Beach Missions, Children’s Holiday Camps.