Daniel
Joel Miles • February 13, 2026
Daniel
Speaker: Joel Miles
Date: February 15, 2026
- Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 together. Peter uses extraordinary language to describe the church: "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." These words come directly from Exodus 19, where God formed Israel as his people. What does it mean that Peter now applies these words to the church?
- We often think of church as a voluntary gathering of people who share the same religious preferences. How is Peter's description of the church as "a holy nation" and "God's special possession" different from that understanding?
- The word translated "church" (ekklesia) was a politically charged term in the ancient world — it referred to the gathering of citizens under a ruler. Why do you think the New Testament writers chose this word rather than terms for private religious gatherings?
- According to verse 9, we are set apart ("holy") for a purpose: "that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." How does this connect being distinct from the world with being sent into the world?
- In verses 11-12, Peter urges us to "abstain from sinful desires" and to "live such good lives among the pagans that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God." How do these two commands — abstaining and living good lives among others — work together?
- What happens when the church focuses only on being "holy" (distinct and separate) without being "apostolic" (sent for mission)? What happens when we focus only on being "apostolic" without being "holy"?
- In the Old Testament, God's judgment and correction were directed far more often at Israel than at the surrounding nations. Why do you think that was? What does this suggest about where the church's primary concern should be directed today?
- How might our witness to the world be weakened when the church spends more energy criticizing the culture around us than examining whether we ourselves are living distinctly as God's people?
- Peter says that when pagans "see your good deeds" they will "glorify God on the day he visits us" (v. 12). What kind of "good deeds" would be so compelling that even those who accuse us of doing wrong would eventually glorify God?
- Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). This doesn't mean his Kingdom isn't for this world — but that it doesn't arise from worldly power or politics. How does this shape the way we engage with governments, policies, and cultural issues?
- The sermon suggested that if we truly grasped who we are in Christ, we would be marked by sacrifice and by joy. Which of these do you find harder to live out? What would need to change for both to be more evident in your life and in our community?
Daniel 10-12 Speaker: Joel Miles Date: February 8, 2026
Daniel 9 Speaker: Joel Miles Date: February 1, 2026
Daniel 8 Speaker: Joel Miles Date: January 25, 2026