Read 1 Peter 2:4-10
Open
David talked about the illusion he has lived with that he would finally find a geographical place that would be friendly to those who would desire to follow Christ. Have you ever suffered from an illusion about a particular place—perhaps you were hopeful or fearful about getting to a particular place only to be disappointed or pleasantly surprised?
Did you go through confirmation? If so, was it a significant event in your life? Why or why not? If you didn’t go through confirmation, describe the most significant event in your life when you were in 8th grade.
Dig
Do you agree with David’s assertion that we live in a society that is hostile to those who would seriously attempt to follow Jesus? Do you think that is true here with all of our churches and Christian radio and Christian schools and Christian bookstores, etc.?
Verse 9 tells us the four things that we together, as God’s people, are: “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” Which of these four is most significant for you as you think about our life together?
David talked about how we are a “peculiar people,” a “bunch of weirdos.” In what ways do you find the people of God to be “peculiar”? Specifically, in what positive ways do you find the people of God to be weird?
Reflect
How are we doing at responding to God’s “invitation to doing” in v. 9 (“so that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”)? What are some ways that we together can declare these praises this week? What can we together do beyond what we do on Sunday morning?
