February 26
Lesson 13 (KJV)
Results of the Call
Devotional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1–10
Background Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1–25
1 Peter 2:1–10
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 it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which 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 offense, 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 marvelous 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.
Key Text
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 marvelous light.—1 Peter 2:9
From Darkness to Light
Unit 3: God’s Call
Lessons 10–13
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the stone that causes people to stumble.
2. Explain why specific thoughts and actions are incompatible with status as a member of a holy priesthood.
3. State to the class which of the four identifications in 1 Peter 2:9a is most convicting to him or her and why.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Questions of Identity
B. Lesson Context
I. As Newborn Babies (1 Peter 2:1–3)
A. Exhortation (vv. 1–2a)
B. Expectation (v. 2b)
C. Explanation (v. 3)
II. As Living Stones (1 Peter 2:4–8)
A. Model (v. 4)
B. Result (v. 5)
Stones
C. Prophesied (vv. 6–8)
III. For a New Beginning (1 Peter 2:9–10)
A. Identity, Part 1 (v. 9a–b)
I, the Priest
B. Task (v. 9c)
C. Identity, Part 2 (v. 10)
Conclusion
A. Identity Redeemed
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
How to Say It
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alpha |
privativeal-fuh priv-uh-tiv. |
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Bithynia |
Bih-thin-ee-uh. |
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Cappadocia |
Kap-uh-doe-shuh. |
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Diaspora |
Dee-as-puh-ruh. |
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Galatia |
Guh-lay-shuh. |
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What Do You Think? Are there any aspects of your life in which you give yourself a pass to indulge in the vices named in 1 Peter 2:1? Digging Deeper What risks are there in engaging in such, especially when the person speaks or acts anonymously? |
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What Do You Think? How do you experience being utterly reliant on God? Digging Deeper What other biblical illustrations are helpful when considering your reliance on God and your responsibility to take the initiative in your spiritual walk? |
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What Do You Think? What difference does it make that your life is built on a living stone? Digging Deeper Which Bible passages support your answer? |
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What Do You Think? What are some examples of sacrifices you are willing to offer God as part of your “priestly” responsibilities? Digging Deeper How can Psalm 51:17, Philippians 4:18, and James 1:27 inform your response? |
B. Task (v. 9c)
9c. That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
The contrast between spiritual darkness and light is a central New Testament theme (Matthew 4:16; Acts 26:17–18, among many others). We are not only called … into his marvelous light; we are indeed light, as the apostle Paul points out in Ephesians 5:8. The nature of our light sets us apart from unbelievers. To the degree that we fail to use that light to shew forth the praises of him, we lose the countercultural power of the Christian faith.
C. Identity, Part 2 (v. 10)
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.
The descriptions and titles Peter bestows on the baptized believers are all the more impressive when we consider where the Jewish element of his audience had come from. In times past, they had forfeited their status as God’s people, as seen in some of the lines Peter draws on from Hosea 1:6, 9–10; 2:1, 23. These speak of Israel’s adulterous faithlessness toward God. The Gentiles, for their part, had never been God’s people just by definition. But in Christ, the reversal for both was complete: believers are the people of God and recipients of His mercy. In light of that, no persecution or suffering at the hands of enemies of the cross can ultimately prevail.
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What Do You Think? In what ways would you describe being part of God’s people as an example of His mercy? Digging Deeper What difference does it make to experience mercy in the context of the community instead of solely as an individual? |
Conclusion
A. Identity Redeemed
The question of identity is at the center of today’s text. In the face of persecution and suffering, the believers to whom Peter wrote seemed to have had their doubts. In our contemporary world, the issue of our identity as Christians is just as important. Our world bombards us with endless identity options. These options in and of themselves range from the harmless to the sinful. But what all of these have in common is that they must give way before our allegiance to King Jesus.
Christians serve that king as members of royalty. Do we act like royalty in the best sense of the word? Do we treat fellow Christians as if they are princes and princesses alongside us? Most of all, do we honor King Jesus in all we do as His obedient servants? May we keep that role in the year 2023 and beyond as we work toward the unity of believers as the holy, royal nation of King Jesus.
B. Prayer
Lord God, help us to remember our identity in Your Son as we live out that identity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Our ultimate identity is to be found in Christ alone.
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).
Cotten, Christopher, Cheryl J. Frey, and Andrew Wood. “Results of the Call.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary. The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022–2023. Ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps. Vol. 70. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2022–2023. 223–224. Print.
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