2 Peter 2:11-22

¹¹ however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord.^[a] 12 But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—speak blasphemies about things they don’t understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed, ¹³ suffering harm as the payment for unrighteousness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions^[b] as they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery and are always looking for sin. They seduce unstable people and have hearts trained in greed. Children under a curse! ¹⁵ They have gone astray by abandoning the straight path and have followed the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor,^[c] who loved the wages of unrighteousness ¹⁶ but received a rebuke for his transgression: A donkey that could not talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s irrationality.¹⁷ These people are springs without water, mists driven by a whirlwind. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them. ¹⁸ For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped^[d] from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. ²⁰ For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. ²² It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit,^[e] and, “a sow, after washing itself, wallows in the mud.”
1.     What does it mean to blaspheme God? Patrick2.    What does it mean when it says,” Do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord?” Carson3.    What does it mean to be a slave to depravity? Ryan  4.    In verse 17 it says,” These false teachers are springs without water, mist driven by wind.” Carson5.    What does verse 22 mean? Ryan

2 Peter 2:1-10

Luke, Connor, and Matthew are up this week.

The Judgment of False Teachers
2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them. ³ They will exploit you in their greed with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.
⁴ For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but threw them down into Tartarus^[a] and delivered them to be kept in chains^[b] of darkness until judgment; ⁵ and if He didn’t spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others,^[c] when He brought a flood on the world of the ungodly; ⁶ and if He reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes and condemned them to ruin,^[d] making them an example to those who were going to be ungodly;^[e] 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, distressed by the unrestrained behavior of the immoral ⁸ (for as he lived among them, that righteous man tormented himself day by day with the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority.
Bold, arrogant people! They do not tremble when they blaspheme the glorious ones;

Questions

1.     In veres 1 they talk about false teachers, who are the false teachers of our day? Luke
2.    Who is a false prophet? Matthew
3.    How would you recognize a false teacher? Matthew
4.    Why does God rescue the Godly people? Luke
5.    How can we protect yourself from false teacher? Luke

2 Peter 1:12-21

<sup>Emma, Brenna, and Selah are up this week. 

12</sup> Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you have. ¹³ I consider it right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,^[a] to wake you up with a reminder, ¹⁴ knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has also shown me. ¹⁵ And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure.^[b]The Trustworthy Prophetic Word¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory:This is My beloved Son.^[c] I take delight in Him!^[d]18 And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain.¹⁹ So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Questions:What is Peter saying about “these things” in verse 12? BrennaWhat is a tent?  What does Peter mean by tent? EmmaHas anyone told you a story about someone?  Have you ever been told a story about someone that said they heard it from a friend of a friend?  How can stories change over time? SelahWhat does it mean to be an eyewitness? BrennaWhy does God delight in his son? EmmaWhat is Peter trying to say about these verses? Selah

2 Peter 1:1-11

1 Simeon^[a] Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ:
To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours^[b] through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
² May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Growth in the Faith³ His^[c] divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by^[d] His own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.


1.       What does it mean to be a slave?
2.       Who is he writing this letter to? Believers or nonbelievers
3.       His power has given us everything for life and godliness.  How are we using that     power? How are we           sometimes wasting our time? See page1234 at bottom
4.       Peter says, “Make every effort to supplement your faith with…” How do we do that?
5.       Have you ever not been selected to be on a team? God has chosen you to be on his team.

1 Peter 5:8-14

1 Peter 5:8-14
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)Conclusion⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
¹⁰ Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally^[a]restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.^[b] 11 The dominion^[c]belongs to Him forever.^[d] Amen.
¹² I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus^[e] (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it! ¹³ The church in Babylon,^[f] also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.^[g]

Questions:1.     The Devil is real.  What can he do to us?  Can we overcome the Devil?  How? TJ
2.    What does this mean that fellow believers are suffering and to resist the Devil? Jenna
3.    What are some ways to resist the Devil? Mark
4.    Why should we be serious and alert? Andrea

1 Peter 4:7-11

End-Time Ethics

⁷ Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.^[a] 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

This week we will be praying for each other.  It will be good!!!

1 Peter 4:1-6

TJ and Andrea re up this week

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[a] in the flesh,^[b] equip^[c] yourselves also with the same resolve^[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin^[e]— ² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,^[f] but for God’s will. ³ For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:^[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood^[h] of wild living—and they slander you. ⁵ They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm,^[i] they might live by God in the spiritual realm.^[j]

Questions:

1.     What is meaning of being equipped with the same resolve? A

2.    They are surprised you don’t jump into the same sins. Why? A

3.    What does it mean to plunge into the flood? T

4.    Who can save you from the flood of sins? T

5.    What are the flood sins at Riverview? A

6.    How can we stay away from the flood? T

Food Bank

Riverview FCA helped out at the Food Bank this past weekend.  It was a great opportunity to help local people in our community.  A large food company made one of the largest donations in Food Bank history by providing hundreds of thousands of cans of tomato sauce.  Our job was to place a label on every food can with ingredients and place them in a smaller container to be shipped throughout the community.

1 Peter 3:13-22

Jenna, Alyssa, and Mark are leading this week.  

Undeserved Suffering
¹³ And who will harm^[a] you if you are deeply committed to what is good?^[b] 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,^[c] 15 but honor^[d]the Messiah^[e] as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason^[f] for the hope that is in you. ¹⁶ However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear,^[g][h] so that when you are accused,^[i] those who denounce your Christian life^[j] will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will,^[k] than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,^[l]
the righteous for the unrighteous,^[m]
that He might bring you^[n] to God,
after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[o]
but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[p] the righteous for the unrighteous,^[m] that He might bring you^[n] to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[o] but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[p] 

the righteous for the unrighteous,^[m] that He might bring you^[n] to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[o] but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[p] the righteous for the unrighteous,^[m] that He might bring you^[n] to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[o] but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[p] the righteous for the unrighteous,^[m] that He might bring you^[n] to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[o] but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[p]
19 In that state^[q] He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison^[r] 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[s]—were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge^[t] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ²² Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.


Questions:
1.     Who would hurt you if you did something good? M
2.    If you suffer for righteousness you are bless, what does that mean? A3.    Do not fear what they fear, What does that mean? J
4.    Why should we be ready to give a defense? J
5.    What are some things you can do to stay cheerful when you are suffering? M6.    Can you name something from the past that you could have handled differently? M

1 Peter 3:8-12

TJ is up this week

Do No Evil⁸ Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers,^[a] and be compassionate and humble,^[b] 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.¹⁰ For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,¹¹ and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it,¹² because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.^[c] and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, ¹¹ and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it, ¹² because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.^[c] and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, ¹¹ and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it, ¹² because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.^[c]

Questions:1.     What is compassion?
2.    Why should we be compassionate and humble?
3.    How can we be humble?
4.    What does it mean to pay evil for evil, or insult for insult?
5.    What do verse 10 through 12 trying to say.
6.    What does God see in you when you are compassionate and humble?

1 Peter 3:1-7

Jenna and Alyssa are up this week

In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, they may be won over^[a] without a message by the way their wives live ² when they observe your pure, reverent lives. ³ Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments^[b] or fine clothes. ⁴ Instead, it should consist of what is inside^[c] the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. ⁵ For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.
⁷ Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature^[d] yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Questions
1.       How do wives submit to their husbands? A
2.       How do we submit to something? J
3.       How can you win over a spouse? J
4.       Should we care about how we look? A
5.       Why should we have a gentle quiet spirit? A
6.       What does it mean to live with our wives with understanding and show honor to them? A

1 Peter 2:18-25

TJ and Andrea are reading this week.  Here is the verse and the questions.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. ¹⁹ For it brings favor^[b] if, mindful of God’s will, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.²¹ For you were called to this,because Christ also suffered for you,leaving you an example,so that you should follow in His steps.²² He did not commit sin,and no deceit was found in His mouth, ²³ when He was reviled,He did not revile in return;when He was suffering,He did not threatenbut entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.²⁴ He Himself bore our sinsin His body on the tree,so that, having died to sins,we might live for righteousness;you have been healed by His wounds.^[f]25 For you were like sheep going astray,^[g]but you have now returnedto the Shepherd and Guardian^[h] of your souls.

1. Who are the household slaves? A
2. What does the message Peter is trying to say in verse 18? T
3. What does verse 20 mean? Not learning, Learning. T
4. What does bore mean? A
5. How can Jesus' examples help you when you face hardships you cannot change? T
6. Is a friend you know facing a hardship?  How can you help? T

Service Opportunity

 "Riverview FCA friends and family - Reminder of Service Opportunity coming: Saturday Sports Day: April 6th Jackson Elementary - 3733 E. Kerckhoff Ave. Fresno 93702 8:30 am -11am Meet at the school at 8:30 for prayer and prep. Local kids from the community come for a craft, sports, fellowship, devotional and lunch. FCA will sponsor the craft for the day. A crafts area and sports area going on at the same time from 9:00-10:30am. Then at 10:30 all will gather for worship, a devotional then lunch together. The Poverello House provides a sack lunch for all the kids- volunteers included."

1 Peter 2:11-17

Alyssa, Jenna, and Mark are reviewing this weeks reading.

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.^[a] 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[b] so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.^[c]13 Submit to every human authority^[d] because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor^[e] as the supreme authority ¹⁴ or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.^[f]
Question:
1. How are we strangers and temporary residents in this world? J
2. What fleshly desires war against you? A
3. How can  we conduct ourselves with honor? M
4. What is authority/ submit to? J
5. Who is our Emperor? M
6. How can we be free men and also be a slave to the Lord? J
7. What does it mean to fear God? A

1 Peter Ch 1:13-25

Today Mark, Jenna, and Alyssa will be reviewing 1 Peter

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^[a] be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^[b]17 And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. ²⁰ He was chosen^[c] before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you²¹ who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.²² By obedience to the truth,^[d] having purified yourselves^[e] for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly^[f] from a pure^[g] heart, ²³ since you have been born again—not of perishable seedbut of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ ForAll flesh is like grass,and all its glory like a flower of the grass.The grass withers, and the flower falls,²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.^[h]And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

Questions
1. In verse 16 who is the Holy one?
2. How do w act Holy?
3. What is perishable and imperishable?
4. What does it mean to have a pure heart?
5. What does verse 24 and 25 mean?
6. How can we change someone to be a Christian? Is it our job?

1 Peter Ch 1:1-12

Today Andrea and TJ are reading through first Peter.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ:To the temporary residents dispersed^[a] in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.May grace and peace be multiplied to you.A Living Hope³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. ⁵ You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.⁶ You rejoice in this,^[b] though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials ⁷ so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in^[c] praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your^[d] faith, the salvation of your souls.^[e]10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances^[f] the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings^[g] and the glories that would follow.^[h] 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.Footnotes:

1. What does "may grace and peace be multiplied by you" mean? (vs 2)

1. How do life trials serve a purpose in your life?

1. What is the salvation of our souls?

1. How can we still be happy even though we are going through trials?(vs 5)

1. What are some ways we can deal with struggling?

1. What trials can you be facing right now?