NOVEMBER 6
WHO KNOWS WHO I AM?
We are constantly looking for validation in this world either out loud or within our souls crying out, “Someone, tell me who I am!” Even the most faithful Christ follower is sometimes asking this same question. The only place we get the answers is from the Creator Himself.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Growing up, who did you most want to be like and why?
2. What stood out to you from the message?
3. If a close friend or family member was asked to describe who you are, what would they say?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Since the fall of mankind, we have all lost our sense of true identity. What does this passage tell us about how our identity is restored? What is God’s role in this and how does He accomplish it? What is our role in this restored identity?
5. Read Ephesians 1:3-14.
◦ Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say):
▪ Who is talking?
▪ What is the circumstance?
▪ Any repeated phrases?
▪ What surprised you?
▪ What stood out to you?
◦ Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean)
▪ What questions do you have?
▪ Summarize the passage in 1-3 sentences – what are the main points?
▪ What do you learn about the nature and character of God as you read this?
▪ What do you learn about yourself and your choices?
◦ Now make some applications (what’s my response)
▪ How do you respond to what you are reading?
▪ How does this apply to your life?
▪ What is the central truth that you could put into practice from this?
▪ Who could you share this with for the sake of encouragement?
6. On the back of this page, underline every time Paul mentions “we” or “us” in Ephesians 1:3-14. Then underline the words “in” or “through”.
- What do you notice?
- Which of these identity statements do you have the most trouble believing and why?
- How would your daily life (the way you think, feel, and act) be different if you lived like this was true of you?
7. End by praying Paul’s words over the group from Ephesians 1:17-23.
KEY SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 1:3-14 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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:17-23 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
TAKE A NEXT STEPS
1. For further study on this topic, read and work through the New Creation Outcome: http://www.gatewaychurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/New-Creation-Outcome-final.pdf
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
This week, kids learn about who Esther was, and how she became queen.
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Name a few different kinds of work people do behind the scenes.
- Can you think of some ways God works behind the scenes for us?
REMEMBER THIS
This month, your kids are memorizing the Bible verse
Philippians 2:13 (NIV), in case you want to work on them together.
EC: For it is God who works in you…Phil. 2:13
Elem: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.: Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
NEXT WEEK
Next week, kids will learn about how Mordecai and Haman became bitter rivals.