Called to Be Holy: A Life in Imitation of Christ

1 Peter 2 powerfully reminds us of our divine calling and responsibility as believers. As living stones, we form a spiritual house, a community that reflects the goodness of God. As we navigate through life's challenges, we are encouraged to emulate Christ, the cornerstone, who suffered but remained steadfast. In submitting to authority and standing firm in our faith, we become a beacon of God's love and a testament to His grace.

Nourishment for Spiritual Growth (Verses 1-3)

Peter encourages believers to lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, and to yearn for pure spiritual milk like newborn babies, so that they might grow in their salvation, having tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Living Stones and a Holy Priesthood (Verses 4-8)

Peter paints a metaphor of believers as living stones, being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices through Jesus Christ. He references Old Testament prophecies to describe Jesus as the cornerstone, precious to those who believe, but a stumbling block to those who do not.

A Chosen Race and a Royal Priesthood (Verses 9-10)

Believers are reminded of their spiritual identity as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. They are called out of darkness into His marvelous light, and now they can proclaim His excellencies.

Living Honorably Among Unbelievers (Verses 11-12)

Believers are exhorted to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul, and to keep their conduct among unbelievers honorable. By seeing their good deeds, the unbelievers may glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority (Verses 13-17)

Believers are encouraged to submit to every human institution, whether it be to the king or to governors, for this is God's will. They are to live as free people but not to use their freedom as a cover-up for evil; they should live as servants of God.

Suffering for Righteousness (Verses 18-25)

Servants are called to be subject to their masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. It is commendable before God if a believer endures sorrow while suffering unjustly. The example of Christ, who bore our sins on the cross, is given as the model for enduring unjust suffering.

1 Peter 2 is a spiritually profound chapter, filled with powerful instructions on how believers should live their lives. It teaches about spiritual growth, encourages believers to view themselves as part of a spiritual house, explains Christ's role as the cornerstone of faith, calls for submission to authority, and even discusses the importance of enduring suffering for righteousness.

Spiritual growth
Living stones
Royal priesthood
The cornerstone - Jesus Christ
Rejection and acceptance
Identity in Christ
Social responsibility
Submission to authority
Suffering for righteousnessSpiritual nourishment
Building a spiritual house
Jesus as the cornerstone
Christ's example of suffering
Slavery and freedom
Submission to earthly authority
Calling and conductBelievers
Jesus Christ
Unbelievers
Earthly authorities
The community of believersSpiritual house
Christ’s suffering
Earthly institutions

1. What does it mean to crave pure spiritual milk? How can you apply this in your daily life?

2. In what ways are believers like "living stones"?

3. How does the metaphor of a "spiritual house" influence your understanding of community within the church?

4. How does recognizing Christ as the cornerstone affect your personal faith journey?

5. Discuss the paradox of freedom and slavery presented in this chapter.

6. How does the call for submission to authority resonate with the notion of personal freedom?

7. How can suffering for righteousness be seen as a blessing rather than a curse?

8. Why is it significant that Christ is described as both the cornerstone and the stumbling block?

9. How can believers live out their identity as a chosen race and a royal priesthood in the modern world?

10. How can you use your freedom in Christ as an opportunity for service rather than for evil?

11. What are practical ways to keep your conduct honorable among unbelievers?

12. How might abstaining from worldly desires lead to spiritual growth?

13. How can we apply the principle of submitting to human institutions in today's complex socio-political environment?

14. How does Christ's example inform our response to unjust suffering?

15. How can the church better serve as a beacon of God's love in our communities?

16. How does the identity of being "God's special possession" influence your daily actions and decisions?

17. How can the teachings of 1 Peter 2 help you in dealing with conflict or injustice?

18. How does the promise of God's "marvelous light" help you persevere in times of darkness?

19. In what ways can believers proclaim the excellencies of God in a largely secular society?

20. How can we model a life of servitude after Jesus in our modern, individualistic world?