Stand Strong - in Loving God

Stand Strong - in Loving God
  • Dan Haakenson
  • Nov 1, 2009
  • Series: Stand Strong
Further Reflection, Discussion, and Application
  1. Read 1 Peter 2:4-10.  How would you summarize the overall message of this passage?
  2. We looked at how this passage gives focus and direction to our pursuit of loving God. Where does that most relate to your life?
  3. The Cornerstone (Jesus) is precious – to God (v4 and 6) and now to us (v7). Talk/think more about that; some options to get that going are as follows:  What is “precious” to you? Why? How would others be able to tell?  You may consider a word study on “precious” – looking at uses in 1 Peter and other places to highlight what this means.  What about Jesus is precious to you? How precious is Jesus to you (not just ‘Christian words’ but in your heart and life)?
  4. If Jesus is precious to us then we embrace the priestly role of “declaring the praises of him…” (v9). What does that mean to you/for you?  How is this related to ‘worship’?  How is this related to our Sunday morning times of singing?  How is it more than that? Consider Old Testament and other New Testament statements along similar lines – that this is what we were created/saved for.  What does that tell you about God? About yourself?
  5. Can you relate to the objection that C. S. Lewis felt to this idea (as mentioned in the message)? To what extent do you agree with the way he resolved this tension he felt? How has that been internalized for you and how would you summarize it in your own words?  (Again, if you’d like to refresh that, the quote is in the message.)
  6. Where are you practicing the purpose given in 1 Peter 2:9?  Where might you engage in this more so?
  7. Another facet of our priesthood is that the preciousness of Jesus prompts us to offer “spiritual sacrifices…” (v5).  What have you thought of recently as “offering spiritual sacrifices”?  Recall Rom 12:1; Phil 4:18; Heb 13:15, 16 – how do these passages give a framework for these sacrifices?  And how broad is it?  In light of this, what are the sacrifices that you are offering up to God?
  8. As you look at your own life, how are the components of sacrifice and worship showing the preciousness of Jesus to you?  What is God inviting you into or challenging you with from this passage?

 

 

0 Comments | Login to Post Comments