Nigerian Baptist Convention For August 31, 2025 : Title - LIVING STONES IN A SPIRITUAL TEMPLE

Nigerian Baptist Convention For August 31, 2025 : Title - LIVING STONES IN A SPIRITUAL TEMPLE

Devotional Reading: Galatians 3:23-29 1 Peter

Background Scripture: 2:1-17

Lesson Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-12

GOLDEN TEXT

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. 1 Peter 2:5

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

I. Value the lifestyle of Christ and commit themselves to such;

II. Explain the reason why Jesus is the Rock for building the spiritual temple; 

III. Recite the memory verse.

*INTRODUCTION*

In recent times, "cornerstone" has usually been put in place as a symbol. Cornerstone is a ceremonial stone with an inscription or a plaque that tells something informative about the building. Often, it has no fundamental importance to the building beyond being a symbol. But in ancient times, a cornerstone was the most important stone in the building. When builders begin laying bricks for a building, they carefully select one large stone, a stone that they then carefully work upon and prepare to hold a strategic place in the construction of the foundation. All the other stones would be set around it. Cornerstone is meant to be the first stone laid, the one that determines the plumb lines and position of all the other rocks in the building. It would be the stone that joined the beginning walls into a solid corner; thus, it would determine the position, structure, and stability of the whole building. The very first thing that a wise builder would do would be to select, prepare and place a dependable cornerstone. This term in 1 Peter 2:5 is used as a metaphor to illustrate Christ's indispensability as the church's foundation. Christians are an essential part of the structure. They are described as living stones because of their new relationship with Christ.

*THE LESSON EXPLAINED*

*A. Grow Up in your Salvation. 1 Peter 2:1-3; 11-12*

Malice and all deceits, hypocrisy, envy, and slander are manifestations of wrong lifestyles that cannot profit a child of God. The continuation of the admonition in verses 11 and 12 paints the idea of sinful nature, which is a wrong way to live as believers. Believers should live an exemplary lifestyle that glorifies God wherever they are. Like the message of a book titled Pilgrim Progress, Christian life is a pilgrimage. The Word of God, quality engagement in worship, and association with godly people are some of the enabling factors that could help believers make progress in their journey. It is assumed that Christians have tasted God's goodness. They are to have a new attitude because of the unique experience in Christ. Believers are to crave for milk, like a new-born baby whose total sustenance depends on milk. Thus, babies that enjoyed exclusive feeding, which was common in ancient times, are hooked on their mothers or nurses for nourishment through their milk. It was believed that children were easily influenced at this nursing stage by relying on their parents. Children sometimes despise milk, which would enable them to experience holistic growth because they have been fed the wrong things. Check what you crave for and watch your desires. They are indicators of whether you are growing or not.

*DISCUSSION TIME*

1. How can malice and deceit destroy one's relationship with God?

2. Explain How can hypocrisy and slander confuse the church, and how can it be guided against?

*B. Built as Living Stones. 1 Peter 2:4-9*

Apostle Peter used the comparison of Jesus' role as the cornerstone of the "New temple" to help learners have a greater understanding of who Jesus is and the purpose of His actions in clearing out the temple (1 Peter 2:4-5). In the Old Testament, the temple was built of stones as a place to symbolise the presence of God with His people. Presently, after the death and resurrection of Christ, God makes His dwelling place among the community of those who have accepted Christ as Saviour and followed Christ as Lord. Christ is the foundation upon which the apostles are built. Christ is the "Chief Cornerstone", the first stone to be laid and the stone that determines the placement of the foundation and subsequent stones. Christians are the living stones which form God's house around the cornerstone. 

As the people of God, we are both the temple and the priests that serve in it. Each believer has the privilege of direct access to approach God. However, they also have the responsibility of ministering to the people. In addition, we offer spiritual sacrifices of ourselves freely and wholly to the Lord. As priests, we represent the people before God in prayer and God to the people to the declaration of His will. We show the watching world what our Father is like and stand as intercessors for those around us.

*DISCUSSION TIME*

1. Explain the statement "The stone the builders rejected."

2. What does it mean to be a "Royal priesthood?"

*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:* before God through prayer, supplication, and sacrifice. Share how you and your congregation are We are all priests to and for each other. The priest's duty was to represent the people (the world) exercising the responsibilities of the priesthood of all believers.

*Prayer:*

▪︎ Thank God for giving us Jesus, who redeemed us from the power of sin.

▪︎ Pray that you will live like a royal priest to your home, the church and the nation at large.

*Take Home:* Write down three lessons you are taking home, based on today's lesson.

*Commitment:* Based on today's lesson, make a personal commitment to live as a faithful priest.