Hope-Filled Pilgrims 1 Peter 1:1-2 Jeremy Bell I. “Elect” – Chosen by God II. “Exiles” – This World is Not Our Home Questions for Discussion/Application: *Consider taking time to read 1 Peter 1:1-2 out loud. What initial insights or observations of the text do you have? *Read the notes above under point #1, “Elect – Chosen By God.” How does considering God’s covenantal love, as expressed in the doctrine of election encourage and minister to your soul? *Jeremy quoted J.I. Packer who said, “God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that He should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when His choice involved the giving of His own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect.” How does that quote land on you? Do you find yourself regularly filled with wonder at what Christ has done for you in saving you? *What can be done to cultivate deeper wonder and awe at how God, on the basis of no merit of our own, chose to rescue and redeem us? How are you doing with “preaching the gospel to yourself” regularly? *Jeremy under the second point said, “This world is not our home. Christians ‘carry another passport,’ as we are on a pilgrimage to the city of God. How should this truth inform how we live?” *Jeremy led us in meditating on the hope of heaven. How can the hope of heaven, help us today to glorify God in the various circumstances we find ourselves in? *Encouraging Song: Hymn of Heaven *Consider taking time to pray — asking God to fill us with a deeper sense of awe and wonder at having been by grace alone, chosen by God. Also take time to ask God that the hope of heaven would fill our hearts!