Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday | Daily Devotions | The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2024-2025 |

 August 31

Lesson 14 (KJV)

Living Stones in a Spiritual Temple

Devotional Reading: Galatians 3:23–29

Background Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1–17

1 Peter 2:1–12

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore who believe he is precious: but unto them who be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Key Text

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.—1 Peter 2:5

Sacred Altars and Holy Offerings

Unit 3: Christians and Sacrifice

Lessons 10–14

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the stone in Zion.

2. Explain the relationship between Christians as “living stones” and Jesus as “the living Stone.”

3. Propose a way to guard himself or herself against unholy behaviors.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. You, the Priest?

B. Lesson Context

I. Sanctified People (1 Peter 2:1–3)

A. What to Abandon (v. 1)

B. What to Seek (vv. 2–3)

II. Spiritual House (1 Peter 2:4–8)

A. Living Stone (v. 4)

B. Building Stones (v. 5)

Spiritual Excavation

C. Cornerstone (vv. 6–7)

D. Stumbling Stone (v. 8)

III. Special People (1 Peter 2:9–12)

A. Characterized (vv. 9–10)

B. Challenged (vv. 11–12)

Conclusion

A. Who Are We?

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Messiah	Meh-sigh-uh.
Septuagint	Sep-too-ih-jent.

What Do You Think? What criteria should you use to determine which vice is the most troubling to you personally? Digging Deeper Who could you ask to be a mentor in this regard?

 

What Do You Think? What action must you take to keep growing spiritually? Digging Deeper Would an accountability partner help? Why, or why not?

What Do You Think? How will the realization of your priestly responsibilities affect your prayer life? Digging Deeper What can you help your church do to better inform its members of their priestly obligations?

 

What Do You Think? How will the realization of your priestly responsibilities affect your prayer life? Digging Deeper What can you help your church do to better inform its members of their priestly obligations?

 

What Do You Think? What are some ways you can sanctify your lifestyle so that it stands out more brightly in a sin-darkened world? Digging Deeper How do Matthew 5:14-16 and 6:1-4 influence your answer?

Conclusion

A. Who Are We?

This lesson contains essential teachings about the nature of the church, but nothing is more important than this: if you are a Christian, Christ calls you to be a “priest” to other believers. That means ministering to and interceding for them without the need to secure permission or credentials. We are members of the kingdom of King Jesus, serving others as He would serve them.

Remember that we are a royal priesthood, ministering to one another in love. We are a holy nation, those who obediently try to follow God’s will. We are redeemed from the curse of death by the gift of His own Son.

B. Prayer

Holy God, we offer our loyalty, obedience, and service to You. May Your name be praised above all others, and may You build us into a holy church for Your glory. We pray this in the name of Your precious cornerstone, Jesus our Savior. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

Live as God’s chosen people.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 Mark S. Krause and Jon Miller, “Living Stones in a Spiritual Temple,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2024–2025, ed. Jason Hitchcock et al., vol. 72, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2025), 447–448.