The Exile's Identity

Do you like to do “fixer upper” work around the house, or would you rather hire someone to do it? Do you enjoy home improvement shows? What is it about improving our living space that is so appealing to people?

Read 1 Peter 2:1-10 aloud.

Peter encourages believers to rid themselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. How do these behaviors hinder our spiritual growth and unity within the Christian community? Why do you think he compares believers to “newborn infants”? What is the pure spiritual milk he says we need?

Peter describes believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. What does this metaphor mean, and how does it emphasize the importance of each individual's role within the Church?

According to 1 Peter 2:5, believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. What are these spiritual sacrifices, and how do they differ from the Old Testament sacrificial system?

The passage mentions that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that was rejected by men but chosen by God. How does this imagery convey the unique and foundational role of Jesus in the life of a believer and in the Church?

Peter describes believers as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." How should understanding our new identity affect our daily lives and interactions with others?

In verse 9, Peter states that believers have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. What does it mean to walk in the light as a Christian, and how can we practically live out this calling in a world filled with darkness?

Considering the exhortations and teachings found in 1 Peter 2:1-10, how could your community group practically apply these principles in your own lives to cultivate spiritual growth, create unity, and embrace your identity as a chosen people in Christ?