Untitled Sermon (3)

Main Idea

Exchanged Life Spirituality: Grasping Our True Identity in Christ

The nineteenth and twentieth centuries saw the growth of an experiential approach to the spiritual life that is based on the believer’s new identity in Christ. Identification with Christ in his crucifixion and resurrection (; ) means that our old life has been exchanged for the life in Christ. The approach to spirituality moves from a work of grace to a grace orientation and from legalism to liberty because it centers on our acknowledgement that Christ’s life is our life.

Part One Overview

Exchanged life spiritually concentrates on the reality of a new identity through the in-Christ relationship that can dramatically transform us as we progressively grasp it in our experience. It stresses that the spiritual life is not a matter of trying to do things for Jesus but of claiming and resting in what he has already done for us. This theme sets the stage for the issue of identity by considering our God-given needs for love and acceptance, significance and identity, and competence and fulfillment.

Sub-Themes

A clearer sense of the principles involved in exchanged life spirituality.

An appreciation for God’s character and his loving plan that flows out of his character.

An understanding of our God-created needs for love and acceptance, significance and

identity, and competence and fulfillment.

Directions

There are three passages for each week. Read them in light of the Semester Theme and the Week’s Focus found in the boxed section above.

A daily spiritual discipline is to learn to hear God’s voice from his Word. Please don’t look at this as a homework assignment.

Find a quiet place each day to read the passage(s) slowly a couple of times through.

Summarize the passage(s). You might want to journal it.

Discipleship Group Spring 2020 Student Worksheet Week One

Principles and quotes come from Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation by Kenneth Boa

What is God saying to you through the passage(s)? (Commands to obey, praise to give, sin to confess, etc.) Make note of it to better remember it.

Be prepared to share how some of the Bible passages impacted you in your weekly group meeting. (No question mark needed here)

The key to effective application: Being a group member of like-minded Christ followers for encouragement and accountability.

Give each member an opportunity to briefly (3-5 minute) share their spiritual journey. From unbelief to following Christ today.

As a group during Week One, work together to mediate on the Bible passage below.

Week 2-8 there will be three passages of the Bible to mediate and apply during the week to their individual’s life.

How was your week?

What is God doing...around You?

How did you influence someone this week in their relationship with Christ?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[ ] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave

us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to

] the world to

himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of

reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be

sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What is God saying to you through the passage(s)? (Commands to obey, praise to give, sin to confess, etc.)

Weekly Group Time

1. Life and Ministry

How was your week?

What is God doing...around You?

How did you influence someone this week in their relationship with Christ?

2. Hearing from God

What is God saying...through His Word?

What passage of Scripture spoke to you? Why? How did it change the way you live?

3. Talking to God

What do we need to say...to God about others and his Kingdom?

Personal: From the discussion, what can we pray for you? Ministry: Where do you need God’s help in ministry this week?