As followers of Jesus we must carefully curate our souls. What we take in and where we find life will shape who we are and how we live. Our actions are not our own and will help to shape those around us as well. If someone were to follow in our footsteps where would we be leading them?

Peter reminds us to honor those in authority over us, but we can only do this if we fear God above all. How do we navigate this as followers of Jesus and how do we continue to influence and honor in an age where we seem to be one headline away from another fallen leader?

At some point we have all longed for home. Peter is reminding us that we are all exiles and sojourners, but that does not mean we are people without an identity. Even when we feel like we are alone, Peter reminds us that we are God’s people and bear the mark of His mercy wherever we find ourselves.

Peter calls us to be living stones that point to a living hope in Christ. What does it mean to have a hope that is alive, and what does it mean to being a living reminder of the Good News?

Peter’s early life was at times a model of self-reliance. What we see in his letter to the churches in exile, is a life that has been transformed from self-reliance to a life marked by grace and peace.

Jesus calls the church as a whole and calls each of us as individuals to continue His ministry on earth. The task of every Christian is to share the Gospel and build up the church, using our unique giftings and following God’s leading in our lives.

As we look at the Passover Meal we’ll see Jesus is teaching His disciples, and now us, an important lesson - He is about to suffer and die, not so that we can get things our way, but so that we can be fully devoted to His ways. Each meal we are reminded of our unique relationship to God and the purpose of our lives.

Jesus is elevating a Kingdom value: selflessness. Why is this such a big deal? And why should we want to be last when it feels so great to be first.

Jesus hands the ministry to His disciples and they become an extension of Him. How did Jesus’ power and authority get handed to the disciples, and has He done the same for us?

Jesus calls His disciples to boldly trust and follow Him at all times, because Jesus has the power to calm our fears and provide for our needs in all circumstances. During times of trials, it is especially important for us to keep our focus on Jesus, because He is the only one who can help us persevere and grow in our faith.