NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:1-10
Discussion Questions:
- How does understanding our identity in Christ help us to mature in Christ?
- What evidence in your life shows that you are maturing spiritually?
- What are some practical things your group could do to serve as Christ’s representatives in your community?
Food for thought:
Home ownership is a blessing that carries with it responsibility. People can feel a sense of pride when they sign the paperwork and receive the keys to their new home. That sense of pride can turn to dread when the air conditioning breaks or the roof needs replacing. Those who embrace the blessing must also embrace the responsibility. Peter reminded believers that they have both the blessing and responsibility of living as God’s own people.
Peter listed five attitudes and actions that have no place in the life of a believer. First, they needed to rid themselves of malice, which relates to inflicting pain on others. The next two attitudes are closely related: deceit and hypocrisy. One is deliberate dishonesty, while the other is pretending to be something you are not. Peter also encouraged his readers to avoid envy (desiring what others have) and slander (speaking of others with harmful intent). The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to desire God’s Word like a baby desires milk, and to remember the goodness of God.
Peter described Christ as the “living stone” (v. 4). Christ was the foundation stone of the temple but not the only stone. God also has chosen believers to be “living stones” that form a spiritual house.
Verse 5 shifts images again. God’s purpose was to establish a “holy priesthood.” As priests of God, all believers have access to Him and a responsibility to serve Him. Peter quoted Isaiah 28:16 to remind his readers that Jesus is the “cornerstone” of the spiritual temple God is building. Those who believe in Jesus will be honored despite their suffering. Those who reject Him (see Psalm 118:22) will face a much different fate.
In verse 9, Peter described the identity of Christians in four ways. First, we are a “chosen race.” God had chosen Israel without any merit of its own, and He chooses to save us today by His grace, apart from our merit.
Peter also called believers a “royal priesthood” and a “holy nation.” At Sinai, God revealed that the Israelites were a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Now Peter called all believers by these same identities.
Finally, Peter called believers “a people for His possession.” God’s people belong to Him, and He will not abandon them during their times of suffering and persecution. All who believe in Christ have this new identity. By the grace of God, all who trust in Jesus for salvation receive mercy and become part of God’s family.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
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