Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
Kevin connects 2 Peter 3:9 to a “patience worldview” that explains why God hasn’t “moved faster” and why He doesn’t coerce; where do you most resent God’s slowness (in your sanctification, church growth, justice in society), and what would it look like to submit that frustration to the “patience litmus test”?
Another way to ask: Where do you feel most upset that God seems slow (your growth, church growth, justice in society)? What would it look like to test your response by God’s patience and submit your frustration to Him?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript teaches that resentment over God’s “slowness” should be confronted by seeing delay as God’s patience and gentleness—then evaluating our responses by whether they match His non-coercive character.
- Kevin calls 2 Peter 3:9 “provocative”: God is “patient towards us, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance.”
- He admits he used to stress “not willing that any should perish,” which can feed “high-pressure faith” when tied to “bringing the kingdom.”
- Peter’s context is people asking, “When’s Jesus going to come back?” and Kevin says patience explains “why things are not moving faster.”
- Kevin expands: God “is not coercing anyone… willing to take time… gentle towards our weakness… large and loving enough to heal us.”
- He concludes: if we want to proceed with “the character of God,” our plans “have got to pass the patience litmus test.”