The Life of Peter: 2 Peter 1: 5-8

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:5-8, NASB

On Sunday, Pastor Jamey concluded our Life of Peter series with "Make Every Effort," teaching from 2 Peter 1:1-15. Pastor Jamey walked us through Peter's transformation from impulsive Simon the fisherman to mature servant-leader, highlighting how even our failures become stepping stones when we're willing to learn God's lessons. Using the metaphor of flipping through old photo albums and cleaning out the pantry, he showed us Peter's "Stair Steps to Spiritual Maturity"—the seven character qualities we're called to add to our faith with zeal and urgency. Pastor Jamey emphasized that we already have everything we need for life and godliness through God's divine power, and our job is to "make every effort" to harness that power by building virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love into our lives. The reward, he reminded us, is both present fruitfulness and a rich welcome into Christ's eternal kingdom.

1. Pastor Jamey showed photos of himself as a Smurf for Halloween and his Miami Vice look from the 80s—what's the most embarrassing childhood photo you'd rather forget?
2. Which "photo" from Peter's life resonates most with you—his denying Jesus, walking on water and sinking, or cutting off Malchus' ear?
3. How would you describe where you are right now on Peter's "Stair Steps to Spiritual Maturity"? Which step feels strong in your life right now, and which one needs the most attention?

4. Pastor Jamey said we need to "clean out the pantry" and get rid of anything counterproductive to our spiritual goals. What's one area in your life that might need some spiritual decluttering?
5. How do we "make every effort" without slipping into legalism or spiritual burnout? What's the difference between earning salvation and responding to God's grace with zeal?
6. What's one area this week where you feel called to apply some spiritual "zeal"—is it virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, or love? What's one concrete step you can take today?