Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Day 1 (Monday): Read 1 Peter 2:4-12. What stands out in this passage about how Christians are called to live in their communities?

Day 2 (Tuesday): In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter talks about believers being a "chosen people." How does understanding yourself as chosen impact your attitude toward your community and neighbors?

Day 3 (Wednesday): Peter describes believers as "strangers and aliens" in 1 Peter 2:11. As Christians, it seems as though we are often exiles in the lands we reside in. Our values do not match up with the values of others. The ways in which Christ calls us have us looking a touch crazy to the world.

Day 4 (Thursday): Though we are strangers and aliens, we all have a role to play here on Earth and in the lands we live in.  How would you summarize that role based on 1 Peter 2:4-12 and the passages we have discussed in the previous weeks?

Day 5 (Friday): In 1 Peter 2:13-17, Peter discusses the importance of submitting to human authority (something Christians today, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, struggle with). How can Christians demonstrate love for trying to do what is right in your community?

Day 6 (Saturday): Peter mentions suffering for doing good in 1 Peter 2:20. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know faced challenges or opposition for trying to do what is right in your community?

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.

Day 1 (Monday): Read 1 Peter 1:13-25. How would you define "loving your neighbor" in your own words? What does it look like? What doesn't look like?

Day 2 (Tuesday): Peter encourages believers to "prepare their minds for action" (1 Peter 1:13). How can having a prepared mind affect our ability to love neighbors effectively?

Day 3 (Wednesday): According to the scripture in 1 Peter 1, we are called to be holy in all we do. When we think of "holiness," our minds ought to think of Jesus. Pursuing holiness isn't about becoming perfect by our own standards or strength but seeking to conform to the ways of Jesus. How can this understanding of holiness influence your interactions with others (especially those that irritate you)?

Day 4 (Thursday): Peter mentions "fervent love" (1 Peter 1:22). What does fervent love look like in practical terms when it comes to loving our neighbors? This passage talks about the cost of redemption through Christ's sacrifice. How can the concept of sacrifice love inspire us to love our neighbors sacrificially?

Day 5 (Friday): Consider these questions - What are some common challenges or obstacles you face in loving your neighbors? How can you overcome these challenges?

Day 6 (Saturday): Consider these questions - How can the body of Christ, working through Life Groups and the larger church community actively demonstrate love for your neighbors? What are some ideas or experiences that show love to our neighbors?

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.

Day 1 (Monday):  Read Matthew 7:13-14. Think about all the places you have been near and far. If you had to do it all over again, would you live somewhere different? Why or why not?

Day 2 (Tuesday): When we think about where we'd like to live, retire, etc., we often think about finances, politics, quality of life, and so on. In Jeremiah 29, God guides his people living in a foreign land of exile, encouraging them to strive to thrive where they are. Read Jeremiah 29:4-7. What stands out to you in these verses? Hod these verses related to the idea of loving your community.

Day 3 (Wednesday): In Jeremiah 29:7, God says: "but seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." How do we practically accomplish this mission as a church, in a life group, and as an individual?

Day 4 (Thursday): Read 1 Peter 3:8. What common challenges or obstacles can hinder us from loving and serving our community? How can we overcome them?

Day 5 (Friday): Read Matthew 7:12. How can we build stronger relationships with our neighbors and community members? What are some practical ideas for getting to those around us better? How can I put at least one of these in practice this week?

Day 6 (Saturday): Read 1 Peter 3:13. Pray for the needs of your neighbors and local community.

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.

After completing this week's GPS, the big idea is to reflect on your role in your community. What actions or changes can you make to better "love where you live."

Day 1 (Monday): What's been the best work you've ever done or been a part of? What made it good?

Day 2 (Tuesday): Read Genesis 2:4-17. What stands out to you in this passage? How can we, as Christians, contribute to the flourishing and resources around us?

Day 3 (Wednesday): In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and keep it." Indeed, God, in His infinite creativity, could have created a garden so that it would take care of itself! Could you imagine it?!? Why does God put Adam (and you and I) in charge of "working and keeping the land?"

Day 4 (Thursday): It's obvious, based on Genesis 2:15, and the rest of scripture for that matter, that God has given us, His creatures, a responsibility to care for creation and our environment. How can we apply this principle to our communities today? How can we be good stewards of the land and resources around us?

Day 5 (Friday): Genesis 2:18-24 describes the creation of Eve as a helper and partner for Adam. How does partnership and community building relate to loving where we live? Where have you experienced great help as you have worked and served?

Day 6 (Saturday): Genesis 2:8 mentions the tree of life. Jesus gives us life through his death on a cross/tree (reference Deuteronomy 21:123, Galatians 3:13). How can we share this life with others? How can we share this life with those around us?

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.