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Chapter Summary
v1-3 - The Christian life consists of two parts:
Ridding yourself of all bad things;
Building yourself up in your salvation, in the same way that a baby craves milk in order to grow physically.
v4-8 - Peter uses several stone metaphors:
Jesus is a living stone, but since His appearance was nothing special, He was rejected by man like a cast off rock.
Yet Christ is like the most precious of stones to God.
You are described in the same way as Jesus is: as a living stone (v5).
You are being gathered up with other 'living stones' a built into a "spiritual house."
But Christ, the living Stone who has become the cornerstone of this spiritual house is precious to those who believe, but to those who've reject Him,
Christ has become a giant obstacle.
Unbelievers trip over Christ because they refuse to submit to His Lordship.
v9-10 - Peter uses very poetic language to describe the Church - the people who are being built up into this spiritual house - as the chosen people of God, using the same words used to describe Israel in the Old Testament.
v11-20 - Remember, you're living in this world as an exile. Your true citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. Here's how a citizen of God's kingdom is to live on Earth:
Live a noticeably good life so that others will glorify God because of you;
In this season of political debates and endless talking heads arguing over each other and trying to shut their opponent up with a one line zinger, Peter gives the best advice possible for quieting your adversaries:
For it's God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people (v15).
Submit to everyone;
Live as a free person, but remember you're God's slave.
v21-25 - Jesus Christ is much more than just an example for you to follow. He didn't come to show you how to do things right, rather He came to make you right by paying for your sin and giving you the credit for His perfect obedience.
Certainly Peter knows this, as he makes it so clear in chapter 1.
Even still, Peter writes that "because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (v21)."
This chapter ends in the same way it began, by pointing out the two parts of the Christian life:
Die to your sins;
Live for righteousness (v24).
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:
Exodus 19:5–6 (NIV)
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: In the last verse of this chapter, Peter speaks of our being like sheep gone astray, but who have now returned to the Lord. What title or name does Peter use for the Lord in this verse?
Pick a favorite verse from this chapter and paraphrase it in your own words
Question 1 taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Your Father, who has chosen you, made you His special possession and called you out of the darkness and into His wonderful light (v9).
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength and wisdom to rid yourself of all that is sinful and that you would crave the things that build you up in Christ.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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