For Our City

Understanding "identity" is foundational to living well.  That's true for every person who wants to experience life to the fullest.  How would you explain what identity is to 5th grader (or a Junior High student)?  

At its core, identity is tied to answering basic questions about ourselves - "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?"  Since we were created by God and for God, His answers to these questions are best and eternal.  

Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 out loud in your at least two times.

How do the descriptions in vs 9-10 answer the question "Who am I?"  How would you summarize these 4-5 biblical descriptions into a simple answer of who we are in Christ?

What does being a "race, priesthood, nation, and people" tell us about living in community?  Why do you think Peter sees a believer's individual identity in the context of the larger church body?  What does this tell us about our identity as Christians?

How about in verse 11... how does this identity statement answer the question "Who am I?"  How do you experience the tension of fully belonging to God and yet not belonging to this world?  Where is this tension creating the most frustration and pain for you right now?

Part of identity is answering the question, "Why am I here?"  Verses 9 and 12 give us purpose clauses ("so that" statements).  What are the reasons Peter gives for a believer's purpose?  According to verses 9 and 12, how would you summarize the "why" of a church and a Christian? 

1 Peter 2:9-12 states that the answers to "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?" point to the same purpose-- to glorify God!  Drawing from this passage, how can we glorify God with our lives?  Give some specific examples or ideas.

For a more detailed description on how we can glorify God specifically, read 1 Peter 4:10-11.  Peter gives us two specific categories.

Knowing this is God's Word and true for us today, how can you apply this during this season of life?