A Holy Priesthood

1 Pe. 2:4-5

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

• What is a living stone?
  
• Who was the first living stone?
  
• Who are living stones now?
  
• Why are living stones needed?
  
• What are the living stones being used to build?
  
• Which is more beautiful in God's eyes?
  - a huge, marvelously designed cathedral?
  - a large functional church building
  - a living spiritual church built using living spiritual people
  
• How do you feel knowing that you are a living stone?
  - delighted that you can participate with Christ
  - pleased to be connected to other living stones in a permanent bond
  - unhappy that people seldom see the individual stones in a building
  - disappointed to be "just another brick in the wall"
  
• Who makes up the holy priesthood that serves in the spiritual house?
• What is the apparent attraction of having a few designated priests instead of all believers being priests?
  
• How would your daily life be different if you realized your priesthood?
  
• What are the spiritual sacrifices that you as a priest are to offer? [Consider Rom. 6:11-13, Rom. 12:1-2, Heb. 13:15-16]
  
• What makes your spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God?
  
• Through what means are you sacrifices offered to God?
  
• Why do we have such a tendency to focus on the physical when God focuses on the spiritual?

Harold's Musings:
If I could just keep this passage in the front of my mind all day every day, I would be more content with my walk here on earth. This passage sums up what should drive a Christian's attitude and actions. My self-image would not be fragile and prone to being hurt. My every action would be a priestly service towards God. What a challenge we have!