What's Happening

Open It

• What is something that is very precious to you?
• When have you felt rejected?

Explore It

• How did God and people treat the living Stone (Christ) differently? (2:4)
• In what way are we like living stones? (2:5)
• What will happen to those who trust in the “Cornerstone”? (2:6)
• How was Christ treated differently by believers and unbelievers? (2:7)
• In what way did the “Stone” (Christ) cause some people to stumble? (2:8)
• What status did Peter ascribe to believers in Christ? (2:9)
• How does our past compare with our present condition? (2:10)
• From what did Peter urge his readers to abstain? Why? (2:11)
• Why is it important for believers to live good lives? (2:12)

Get It

• How is Christ still being rejected by people today? Why?
• How is Christ precious to you? Why?
• How could being disobedient to God cause someone else to stumble?
• How does being chosen by God for a special task make you feel?
• What are the implications of believers being a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation?
• In what way were you in darkness before you became a believer?
• When have you felt that you were at war with sinful desires?
• Why is it so hard to abstain from sinful desires?
• Why do we need encouragement to live good lives among non-Christians?
• What good deeds in your life do non-Christians see?
• How can we do good deeds so they are both a witness and a discrete act of service (that is, not merely for show)?
• What does it mean to live a good life?
• To what people can your good deeds be a witness?

Apply It

• From what specific sinful desires will you ask God to help you abstain this week?
• What good deeds can you use as a witness to your neighbors?
• How do you need to change your plans for the near future so that you will be an example to the unbelievers with whom you have regular contact?