Identity Theft Week 1 Study

BIG IDEA

We began a brand new series this week called Identity Theft. The truth is, what we believe about God and what He says about us affects every area of our lives. So today, we are looking into the truth that Scripture teaches that we are God’s children if we have placed our faith in Him, which is at the very core of our identity. This truth makes all the difference for us.

BREAK THE ICE

What would you say if you had to describe yourself in just a few words?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

1. What areas do most people around you look to find their identities? Why do these areas often lead to disappointment? 

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read Ephesians 1:3-4. List all of the things God says about us in these verses.

Ephesians 1:3-4

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

3. Read Ephesians 1:5-8. What are the benefits of adoption and being a part of God’s family?

^{Ephesians 1:5-8}

5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

4. Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. How does this speak into our identities as followers of Christ?

^{1 Peter 2:9-10}

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10  “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Application

1. What false areas in your life have you been looking to for your identity?

2. How does it change how you think about yourself to know that you are God’s child?

3. As children of God, what is the inheritance we have to look toward? How does that inheritance give you hope today?

 MOVING FORWARD

As we think about our identities in Christ, now is a good time to think about reaching out to the people in our lives who are far from Christ. If you do not already have a list of three people who you can be sharing Christ with right now, take a few minutes to make that list. After everyone is finished, share with the group the people who you want to share Christ with. After everyone has shared, pray together. Pray that God would work in the lives of all the people around you and that they would commit their lives to Him.

Going Deeper

Scripture makes it clear, particularly in Ephesians 1, which you studied as a group earlier, that when we place our faith in God, we belong to His family as His children. The first half of the book of Ephesians is dedicated to teaching Christ followers who we are in Christ as His children when we place our faith in Him. It does not end there, however. Being a part of God’s family carries implications with it. Being a part of God’s family is both a gracious gift from a God who loves us and a calling to live like God’s children. Let’s take some time to see what Paul teaches us about how to live based on our identities as God’s children.

Read Ephesians 4:1-6.

1. · How do these verses call followers of Christ to live?
2. · Why is understanding this calling to live unified important for followers of Christ?
3. · What do you think it looks like today for followers of Christ to live in unity?
4. · How has God specifically gifted you to contribute to unity in the church?

 Read Ephesians 4:17-24.

1. · How do these verses call followers of Christ to live?
2. · How have you experienced a change in your heart and attitude from the Holy Spirit since you began following Christ?
3. · Is there a part of your “old self” or “sinful nature” that you battle with even today? What does it look like to turn away from this old way of living?

Read Ephesians 5:1-2.

1. · How do these verses call followers of Christ to live?
2. · These verses call us to “follow the example of Christ.” Describe the example Christ set for us.
3. · What does it look like today to follow the example of Christ? 

Read Ephesians 5:15-20.

1. · How do these verses call followers of Christ to live?
2. · What is the danger of living thoughtlessly? What does it look like to live intentionally?
3. · What do you think it looks like to “be filled with the Holy Spirit?”
4. · What is an area of your life where you are leaning on the Holy Spirit’s power to help you?

Because we are children of God and a part of Christ’s family, we are called to live differently. We area called to live in unity with other follower of Christ, let go of sin and our old ways of life, live like Jesus lived and follow His example, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pick one of these areas you want to focus on this week and share it with your group. Share three specific ways you will focus on that area. Friends, if we have placed our faith in Jesus, we are His children. May our lives reflect this beautiful truth! 

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.