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Exiles
Seek The Peace Of The City | Part 1 
Dr. Jessica Fernandez
October 26, 2025

When Israel was carried into exile in Babylon, their natural instinct was to resist, withdraw, or despair. But God gave them a surprising command: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city.” Even in a foreign land, God’s people were called to pray, to serve, and to bring life to their communities. As modern-day exiles, we are called to do the same—living not in fear or withdrawal, but as agents of God’s blessing where He has placed us.

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Discussion Questions 

1. Where has God “carried” you to right now that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar? How might God be asking you to build, plant, or seek peace in that very place instead of trying to escape it?

2. Jeremiah 29 shows God’s people thriving in exile through everyday faithfulness like building homes, planting gardens, praying for the city. What does thriving look like for you in your current season?

3. God commanded His people to seek the peace (shalom) of the city that had harmed them. What would it look like for you to bring shalom, wholeness, healing, and hope, into your workplace, family, or community?

4. In what areas of your life do you tend to withdraw, assimilate, or fight back when faced with cultural tension? What might faithful presence, engaging without losing your identity, look like instead?

5. Jeremiah 29:11 is often read as a promise of comfort, but you taught that it’s actually a promise of steady faithfulness over time. How does seeing this verse in its proper context change the way you view waiting, suffering, or purpose?1. Where do you notice “masquerade” in your life (outside-in pressure to perform) versus “metamorphosis” (inside-out renewal)? What would cooperating with transformation look like this week?
 
2. Which part of the redemption arc most encourages you today—bougSeek The Peace Of The City