6 December, 2024

Lesson for Sept. 22, 2019: Living Stones (1 Peter 2:1-10)

by | 16 September, 2019 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 10 (weeks 36-39; September 15—October 6, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

________

Lesson Aim: Build up your church by offering your life to God.

________

By Mark Scott

Metaphors motivate. Metaphors are memorable. Metaphors help us talk and live (George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, Metaphors We Live By). The Bible is full of metaphors, and many metaphors are used to describe God’s people. Years ago Paul Minear traced the many images of the church in the New Testament (Images of the Church in the New Testament). He found over 90.

In chapter 1 Peter called Christian exiles to live in hope (1:3-12), live in holiness (vv. 13-21), and live in love (vv. 22-25). In chapter 2 Peter moved from mandate to metaphor. He called the exiles to live like newborn babies, to live like living stones, and to be God’s special possession.

Babies  |  1 Peter 2:1-3

The word for babies in this passage is the normal word for infant. That metaphor is not always used positively in the New Testament. Remaining on milk means that Christians are not maturing (Hebrews 5:11–6:8). Remaining in spiritual infancy means that Christians are susceptible to false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). But this passage used the metaphor positively by likening our growth in Christ to a craving for (longing for; desiring earnestly) spiritual (logical; reasonable) milk.

The purity of this picture is retained by putting away five sins. Believers are more likely to crave pure spiritual milk if they rid themselves of malice (badness), deceit (guile), hypocrisy (play acting), envy (jealousy; pain when good is viewed), and slander (bad speech). When believers crave spiritual milk they will grow up in their salvation (i.e. mature in Christ) and they will experience (taste) that the Lord is good (kind). This last phrase draws upon Psalm 34:8 and is used to describe what coming into Christ is like in Hebrews 6:4.

Stones  | 1 Peter 2:4-8

This is the largest section of our text (and thus the emphasis for the lesson title). “Stones” has to be plural because there are two stones described here. One is Jesus, and one is collectively spoken of as God’s people (i.e. the church).

Jesus is called a living stone. Stones do not live, but by virtue of his indestructible life, this stone does. Believers are told to come to him. His rejection by men, his election by God, and his preciousness and significance for the Father’s purposes are all underlined here. God laid (placed) this living stone down in Zion (a word with many nuances meaning everything from God’s people to the temple to Jerusalem, etc.) as a cornerstone (foundation stone, verse 6) and a capstone (the normal word for head is used in the reference in verse 7). In other words, this stone is the top and bottom of it all. So profound is Jesus the living stone that people will stumble over him (i.e. his exclusivity will cause people to decide against him) and be a rock (huge boulder) that makes people fall (feel scandalized because they do not accept the power of the cross, 1 Corinthians 1:21). The reason that these people fall over the rock is because they do not believe and they disobey his message (word).

If Jesus is the rock, the church is little stones. But because Jesus lives, the church also lives as living stones. Peter says three things about these “little Christs” (Martin Luther’s phrase to describe Christians). First, they are being built into a spiritual house (i.e. firmly planted in the church). Second, they are a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices (i.e. they officiate for God in the world). Third, they are never put to shame (i.e. they are honored by the one whose voice really matters). To underline these truths Peter drew upon rich Old Testament passages (e.g. Isaiah 28:16; 8:14; Psalm 118:22).

Property |  1 Peter 2:9, 10

Babies crave milk. Stones are used in buildings. But property remains a possession. That’s what Peter emphasized in this last metaphor. Drawing upon images from Isaiah and Exodus (particularly chapter 19), Peter reminded these Christian exiles “whose” they were. As God’s property, they were a chosen people (race), a royal (kingly) priesthood, a holy nation (a set apart ethnicity). These were their name tags, their identity, their labels, and their handles.

But with privilege comes purpose. As God’s special possession they had the privilege of declaring the praises (excellencies or surpassing greatness—only appearing here and in Philippians 4:8 and 2 Peter 1:3, 5) of the one who called them (i.e. God). They shifted from darkness to light. They shifted from being wandering nomads into being the people of God. They shifted from not having received mercy to having received it. Hopefully these metaphors will motivate us to build up the church by offering our lives to God.

________

Lesson study ©2019, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on the scope and sequence, ©2019 by Christian Standard Media. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.