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1 Peter 2
4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Talk Sheet Questions
Why do you think Peter chose a metaphor of a living stone for Jesus and for us? (4-5) How are living stones different than regular stones?
What is the role of a cornerstone in a building? How is Jesus like that for us?
What is shame? How does believing in Jesus keep you from shame? (6-7)
How can Jesus be both a precious cornerstone and a stumbling stone? Has Jesus ever offended you?
How does this text shape your understanding of the church and your place in it?
Prayer
Pray that Jesus will be worshiped as we take our direction from him.