Beyond the Weekend

September 6 | Presence

September 6, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

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

Read: 1 Peter 2:4–8
Listen: 
1 Peter 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Peter writes to Jesus-communities steeped in the Greco-Roman temple tradition. Peter turns their understanding of the temple upside down. It would’ve been a radical message for them to hear. Instead of the temple being a place, Peter writes to convince them that their church community is the temple of the living God. It’s a new way to understand how one experiences God. Instead of going to a place, God is now present with a people. He’s building a living temple founded on the living cornerstone—Jesus.

God built his church to be a place where people experience God. But there’s a significant distinction we must make. It isn’t a building where people experience God. It’s a collection of people where God is present. It’s a small group on a Tuesday morning. It’s a gathering of middle schoolers for Lifeline on a Wednesday night. It’s listening to a sermon on a Sunday morning. Those are a few ways we experience God through the church community. God has chosen to make his temple—that space where he is present—not a building but a people. A people built upon the person and work of Jesus.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Consider whether you are playing your part in the church community being a place where we can experience God. There are two great ways to get more involved. The first is by joining a small group. These gatherings of 8-12 people are often described by group members as spaces where God meets them. To find a group to join, click here. The second is by serving. By serving in the church community, we help create an environment where others can experience God. Find your place to serve at church here.


2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE

Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.

JAMES 1:19–20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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