ASSURED ELECTION
Building a Firm Foundation
Objective: This workbook is designed to help you spend about 30 minutes in scripture readings, reflection, and practical action points to grow your Christian faith, focusing on building a firm foundation through understanding and living out virtue.
Opening Prayer
Take a moment to center yourself in prayer.
Prayer: "Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging You as the one true God. We thank You for Your grace and mercy, and for inviting us into Your presence. As we study Your Word, may Your Holy Spirit guide us with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Help us to grow in intimacy with You and live out Your divine nature in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-11
Read the passage slowly and reflectively:
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Understanding Virtue
Peter emphasizes the importance of adding virtue to our faith. In the Greek concept, virtue (arete) refers to excellence in fulfilling a purpose. For us as Christians, it means living a life that reflects God's excellence through our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
Greek Concept of Virtue:
Excellence in being human.
Doing what you are meant to do in an excellent way.
Hebrew Concept of Virtue:
Rooted in the law: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Reflect:
How does understanding virtue as excellence in fulfilling our purpose change the way you view your daily actions and decisions?
How can you apply the concept of treating others as you want to be treated in your relationships and interactions?
Action Points
Excellence in Daily Life:
Identify one area in your life (work, family, personal habits) where you can strive to do things with greater excellence, not through your own strength, but by relying on God's divine nature in you.
Treating Others Well:
Think of one relationship where you can improve how you treat the other person. Plan one concrete action you can take this week to demonstrate kindness and love.
Depend on God:
Spend time each day asking God to help you live out His divine nature in you, focusing on one of the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love).
Closing Prayer
"Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the guidance it provides. Help us to rely on Your divine nature to live out a life of virtue and excellence. May we treat others with the love and kindness that You have shown us. Strengthen us in our faith and lead us to grow more intimate with You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Further Study
For continued growth, consider studying the following passages that relate to virtue and godly living:
Philippians 4:8-9: Meditate on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
Colossians 3:12-14: Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Workbook Notes:
This workbook can be repeated weekly, focusing on different aspects of virtue and godly living.
Encourage journaling reflections and action points to track growth over time.
May this workbook be a blessing to you as you grow in your faith and build a firm foundation in Christ.