Like Living Stones

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What are the characteristics of rocks and fortresses?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10.

• "Into your hand I commit my spirit." (Psalm 31:5) "I'm putting everything I have in this rocky refuge. My times are in your hand. My past and my future, not to mention my present." (From Preaching Notes). What might it look like to trust God fully? What area of your life do you need to work on trusting God?
• Look at all the uses of the word "stone" in this passage: Jesus is a living stone, 1 Peter 2 v. 4; we are like living stones, v. 5; Jesus as the cornerstone, v. 6-8. What might it mean to be like living stones (v. 5)? Do you think Peter is offering this imagery from his personal experience? [Jesus is the cornerstone, the most important structural component of a building. The believers are the building blocks for this spiritual temple.]
• “… And like living stones, let yourself be built,” (v. 5) “Peter pleads with us. Let yourself—not decide for yourself. You’re not in charge; you’re a stone, for heaven’s sake! You’re not the architect; you’re building material. Be built into something greater than yourself, something you may not even see right now.” (From Preaching Notes)
• What does it mean to you that God is including you in building this spiritual temple? What aspects of our church shape us (as stones) to fit together well?
• 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, "…God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9b) and "now you have received mercy" (2:10b). How is this your story? What does it mean to be part of God’s people? How have you experienced moving from darkness to light in your journey? What are you going to do this week in response to these two scriptures?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Rock and Redeemer, we give you thanks for choosing us and making us precious in your sight though we have failed you in many ways. You called us out of darkness into your marvelous light. Use us now as your living stones to build your community and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.