As teenagers, we face so many challenges every day—peer pressure, social media, anxiety, depression, and a whole lot more. It’s tough to remain grounded in our faith when it feels like the world is against us. However, it’s crucial that we grow in our relationship with God to overcome the challenges we face. The passage 1 Peter 2:2-10 is a perfect reminder for us as teenagers to invest in our spiritual growth.
Why 1 Peter 2:2-10 is Important for Teenagers:
The passage speaks about the growth of Christians. Peter describes the identity of Christians as a chosen people who live as strangers and foreigners among the world. He emphasizes the importance of growing in faith, longing for the pure spiritual milk of the Word like a newborn baby and growing up in salvation to become the holy priesthood. This passage highlights the privilege of being chosen by God and encourages Christians to live as witnesses before the nations.
Introduction Youth Group Game:
In preparation for the lesson, write different attributes of being a Christian, such as “patience,” “forgiveness,” or “generosity,” on small pieces of paper. Give each student one of the papers and have them stand up and read it aloud, sharing a brief explanation of why this attribute is essential to their faith.
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Explanation:
- Peter uses a metaphor of newborn babies who need nourishment to survive to compare Christians’ spiritual growth.
- Pure spiritual milk represents the Word of God. It is vital to crave the Word of God daily to grow in Christ and become mature Christians.
- As we experience the goodness of God in taste salvation, it will create a desire for us to have a closer relationship and grow in our faith.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How can we satisfy our hunger for the Word of God?
- Why is a desire for the Word of God necessary for spiritual growth?
- How have you experienced the goodness of God in your life?
- How can we know if we are maturing in our faith?
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Explanation:
- Peter uses another metaphor of Jesus Christ as the living Stone and explains that Christians are also like living stones who become a spiritual house.
- Spiritual house represents the spiritual community of believers in Christ. Every individual member in the community makes a temple built upon Jesus Christ, the foundation.
- The holy priesthood represents the privilege of every Christian to become a priest before God, able to offer spiritual sacrifices.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Why is the image of Christ as the living Stone significant to Christians and the Church as a spiritual house?
- What difficulties do Christians face today in living as a living stone?
- What does it mean to be a holy priesthood?
- What are some spiritual sacrifices we can offer as a holy priesthood?
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:6-8 (NIV)
For the Scriptures say, “I chose a precious stone for my cornerstone, and I will place him there as a foundation. The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”
Explanation:
- Peter refers to the Old Testament texts in Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14-15 and applies them to Jesus as the foundation stone and cornerstone of the Church.
- The cornerstone is the first stone laid in the foundation of a building. It is the most crucial stone because it holds all the other stones in place.
- The use of “stumbled” and “fall” may indicate that some people may not accept the message of salvation, and it may be a stumbling block to them.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to trust in Jesus as the cornerstone?
- Why is acceptance of Jesus as the cornerstone important in our faith?
- Why is nonacceptance of the message of salvation a stumbling block for some?
- How can we witness to people who are unconvinced by the message of salvation?
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Explanation:
- Peter describes Christians as a chosen people and a royal priesthood, signifying our identity and position before God.
- Royal priesthood emphasizes the equality of every Christian, who is a minister before God, offering spiritual sacrifices.
- God’s special possession is an emphasis on our worth before God, and that we are valuable to Him.
- The call to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness emphasizes our mission to be witnesses before the nations, reflecting the glory of God.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be a chosen people and a royal priesthood?
- Why is equality among Christians important in our faith?
- How do we reflect the glory of God as witnesses before the nations?
- How can we proclaim the praises of God in our everyday life?
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for choosing us to be part of your family. Help us to grow in our faith, craving the pure spiritual milk of your Word. Strengthen us to live like living stones, building a spiritual house founded upon Jesus Christ. Use us as royal priesthood to proclaim your praises, reflecting your glory to the nations. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.