Read:1 Peter 2: 4-8

We know that Christ is the cornerstone, but what are we? We, too, must be living stones, just like Jesus. Oh yes, we used to be lifeless, dead in our sins, but Christ has made us alive. He has made us living stones.

As living stones, we must remember that we are not on our own, and so we cannot just go about serving the Lord all on our own either. Peter says we are to be built together as a spiritual house. We can’t just do our own thing and not think about other people in the church. We must all live together. Just as in a building all the stones are built together to make the building, we must work together with others in the church.

How can you do this? How can you be a living part of God’s church? Firstly, you can get to know other people in your church. Talk to them and ask them about their life. Talk to people of different ages. If they share something that makes them happy, be happy with them. If they are sad about things, be sad with them. If someone does something wrong to you, show them forgiveness. Show kindness and love to the people around you. And then pray for them. Pray for those in your church who are sick, who are old, who have had a baby or who just got married. Ask the Lord to be with others in your church. In this way you are being a living stone, a part of Christ’s beautiful building.

Always remember that every stone of this building is precious. Every person in your church is specially made by God to be the person they are. God is working in their lives in just the same way that he is working in your life. Together you form this beautiful spiritual building.

You must offer your whole life as a sacrifice to God. No, you don’t have to offer animals or bread or oil like they did in the Old Testament, but you must use your whole life to serve the Lord!

Reflection with your child:

What does it mean to be a living stone?

Source: Sermon by Dr. R. Bredenhof