As we dive into 1 Peter, we’ll explore what it means to live as “elect exiles.” Peter—writing to

believers who felt out of place in the world around them— doesn’t start with strategies or

solutions; he starts with identity. In a culture that pressures us to conform, we too are reminded

that we belong to God and are being shaped by His work in our lives.

Peter’s life was anything but steady. He experienced moments of courage and clarity, followed by

failure and regret. And yet, Jesus never gave up on him. Today, as we begin our study of 1 Peter,

we’ll look at Peter’s life and discover how God uses flawed but faithful people to live with hope in a

world that isn’t home.

Because Jesus is alive, we are called not just to believe the gospel but to live it out together. In Ephesians 4:1–6, we see that unity is something we are called to protect and maintain—not something we create. We’re challenged to hold tightly to what is essential and refuse to divide over our preferences.

Because Jesus is alive, our future is not just something we wait for, but it determines our identity and launches us into a gospel-shaped community. In Colossians 3, Paul explains how our new identity shapes a new community that displays the glory of God. Today, we will consider our individual role in growing with God’s people within the context of the local Church.

Because Jesus is alive, our future is not just something we wait for, but it determines our identity

and begins to shape how we live today. In Colossians 3, we are reminded that we have been raised

with Christ and called to live in light of that new reality. We will explore what it means to put off the

old life and put on what is now true of us in Him.

Many of us are familiar with the story of Easter, but what is familiar is not always foundational. In 1 Corinthians 15, we are reminded that the gospel is not only something we know but something we are called to stand on and hold fast to. Because Jesus lives, we now have a hope that anchors us to the gospel in every season of life.

The gospel is more than just our sins being forgiven so that we can go to heaven. When Jesus

came, He announced the arrival of the rightful King and His kingdom. This Palm Sunday, we will

see that the gospel is the good news that Jesus is the King who has come, who has demonstrated

His authority, and who has accomplished our redemption, calling us to live under His rule and

reign.

Revelation 5:1-2