Almost every September we do a short series together on Sundays and in our Communities around our Core Priorities: Gospel Formation, Life in Community, and Everyday Mission. Our desire is to continue year after year to return to the key aspects of following Jesus with an intention to wrap our heads, hearts, and lives around him and his work in the world. 1 Peter is written to “elect exiles,” disciples of Jesus who are scattered all around the Roman Empire, trying to figure out how to follow Jesus in a world radically opposed to Him and His way. He writes to remind them of the Story they are in and the work God has done for them, and to call them to live with a whole-life allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom. His first priority is to see them make a clean break from the ways of the world and to grow increasingly into the character and ways of God, motivated by their new status as adopted children through the precious blood of Jesus.