Our Identity In Christ
Connect
Where do you find your identity? What makes you feel good about yourself?
Cultivate
Summary: Our new relationship with Christ redefines who we are and where we put our confidence. In Jesus we discover all we need to be holy and to belong.
Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and ask the following questions:
1. What do you like about this passage?
2. What do you find uncomfortable or difficult to understand in this passage?
3. What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this passage? (Look for repeated words or ideas.)
Consider how the following passages increase our understanding of this topic:
Read Romans 8:14-17.
- Of whom are we heirs?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in our adoption as children of God?
Read 1 Peter 2:9-10.
- What part of this is most meaningful to you?
Read Colossians 3:1-17.
- What was our identity before Christ?
- How are we to live out our identity in Christ?
Read Luke 10:19-20.
- Why shouldn’t we rejoice in what we do or in our success?
- What does it mean that our “names are written in heaven”? (New International Version)
Read Philippians 3:3-9.
- What does it mean to place confidence in the flesh?
- Where are we to place our confidence?
4. What are the beliefs and values promoted in these passages?
5. What do they reveal about our human condition and God’s response?
6. How are these beliefs and values similar or different from those that have influenced you? (such as your family, culture, peers, church, etc.)
7. How might our faith increase and our lives change as we embrace what is true and important?
8. In light of what we’ve discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?
Care
Since we last met, what happened as a result of expressing Christ’s love to others?
How can you, or we, express Christ’s love to others this week?
Here are a few ideas:
- Pray God would meet their deepest needs.
- Help meet a felt need they have.
- Encourage them with a text, note or verbally.
- Give them a thoughtful gift or buy them coffee.
- Invite them to do something fun or meaningful.
- Listen to their story.
- Explore their thoughts on the gospel.
