Identity Crisis 5

Intro

At the end of each series we are going to do things a little different!

We are going to get around tables and talk — less message and more small group

Here’s the why: We want you to not just hear a message, but instead learn to apply it!

We don’t want you to miss all that God is doing and teaching us

Week 1

The very first week of the series we talked about how our identity or image comes from the Father

How God created us to be a mirror or reflection of Himself

We said that we are created in the Imago Dei — Image of God

Genesis 1:27 ESV

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

We talked about how sin ruins our image, but that God sent Jesus to save us and give us a new identity

That we no longer need to look at things like:

Grades

Snapchat snap score

Sports

Or anything else for our identity — Jesus gave us a new identity!

So at your tables spend a couple minutes going through this prompt:

What do I tend to look to the most for my identity?

Week 2

The second message in the series as all about answering the question: “What should a Christian look like?”

We looked at the early church for our answer:

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

We determined from the early church that a Christian will be:

Devoted to God

Generous

Missional

We should be devoted to God in everything we do

We should be generous with our time, talent, and treasure

We should be missional, seeking to help others know Jesus

At your tables take a couple minutes to discuss this:

Which of the three (devoted, generous, missional) do I struggle with the most?

What would my life look like if I followed in the early churches footsteps?

Week 3

The third message was all about the idea of earned vs given identity

We looked at the fact that an earned identity is something you did to earn or receive a title

Where as a given identity is something you did nothing for, it was given to you despite yourself

We saw how an earned identity can be lost, but a given identity cannot

We read John 1:9-14

John 1:9–14 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We talked about how God gave us a new identity — children of God!

How God through His son allows us to be called His children!

This is not because of anything we did, and instead all about what Jesus did

So at your tables take a second to discuss this:

Why is it important that our spiritual identity is given instead of earned?

Do you ever try to earn God’s love?

Week 4

Last week we closed out the series by talking about how being God’s children means there is a certain level of authority that is given to us

Luke 9:1-6 breaks this down for us:

Luke 9:1–6 ESV

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Jesus gave his disciples authority — and He extends authority to us as believers as well

We are sent with authority over this world

We are sent with Jesus’ provision, no ours

We are to walk in Jesus’ authority

This means we are called to go out into the world and share the Gospel!

Spend a couple minutes talking at your tables about this:

Why should Jesus giving us authority make us more willing to share our faith?

Who is someone that you can share the Gospel with this week?

Final Challenge

We talked all about Identity — how Jesus gives us a new identity!

How it is earned not given!

How it should change the way we look and act!

And how His identity has authority!

Well I want to close out tonight with this question:

How will I live out my God-give identity this school year?