1. Leader: Personal GI

As disciples, knowing who we are in Christ is essential! Gospel Identity will help us to explore this through looking into our personal identity, family identity and missionary identity as displayed in the Gospel.

 

What is identity?

Identity is who we are; It’s what makes you, you. Who we believe ourselves to be is crucial to all of life, because it shapes what we do and how we live.

i·den·ti·ty

(n) ‘the fact of being’. ‘Who a person is’.

Write a few sentences describing your identity.

 

Where do we get our sense of identity?

There are two different places we can get our sense of identity.

1. The world and society
2. The person of Jesus

 

 

Identity from the world and society:

• “I am what I do” – This person gets their sense of identity from their performance and achievement. For example, “I am a doctor.” “I used to be a doctor but got let go.” “I am the top salesman in the company.” “I am a failure and have made too many mistakes.”

• “I am what I experience or feel” – This person gets their sense of identity from their day-to-day experiences. For example, “I am depressed.” “I am happy.” “I am an introvert.” “I was happy then, but ever since ______ I have been ________.”

• “I am who others think I am” – This person gets their sense of identity through labels that have been placed on them by others.

• “I am how I look” – This person gets their sense of identity by their outward appearance.

• “I am who my family has always been” – This person gets their sense of identity from patterns that have run in their family. For example, “I’ll never go to college because my parents didn’t.”

 

Identity in Christ:

As disciples of Jesus we get our sense of identity from Him.

Let’s begin by discovering more of our upward identity in Christ

We’ll start with four questions that will help us along the journey of understanding the gospel and its effects.

Note: Fill in the answers with your apprentice. Don’t forget to write down the truth including the verse where they find it.)

 

Who is Jesus?

• God in the flesh (John 1)
• The Messiah (Matthew 16:16-17)
• The Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14)
• The Light (John 1)
• Son of God (1 John 4:9)
• Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16)
• Head of the body, the Church (Colossians 1:18)

 

What has he done? (Through his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension)

• Lived in perfect obedience to God without sin under the law (Galatians 4:4)
• He died for the sins of the world (John 3:16)
• He became sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21a)
• He has been raised (Luke 20:19-23)
• He was raised for our justification (Romans 4:25)
• He died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6)
• He bore our sickness (Isaiah 53:4)
• He is reconciling all things to himself through the cross (Colossians 1:20)

 

Who am I? (Because of who he is, and what he has done)

• The righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:4-8)
• Completely forgiven (Colossians 2:13-15)
• Loved unconditionally | not based on performance (Romans 8:37-39)
• A part of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4)
• Ministers of Gods reconciliation | missionaries (2 Corinthians 5, Matthew 28)
• Holy, blameless and above reproach. (Colossians 1:22)

 

What do I do? (In light of the first three questions)

• I live Righteously (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:15-19)
• I live with the knowledge that I am accepted by God (Romans 8:37-39)
• I live boldly (Proverbs 28:1)
• Make disciples who make disciples (Matthew 28)
• I live with no condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• I live in peace with God (Romans 5:1)
• Live as family (Galatians 4:4-8, Acts 2-4)

 

Personal Reflection

Where do you usually get your sense of identity? Something you do, someone you love, a circumstance or experience? 

To help you see yourself how God sees you, write a few sentences about yourself based on the truths you have discovered today. 

 

Application

Throughout your week, when you are tempted to get your identity from something other than Jesus begin to apply the truths from “who am I?”

We need constant reminders of our Gospel Identity; endeavor to use these truths to overcome the everyday challenges in our lives. ‘The truth will set you free.’

 

Ideas for additional practical application 

Take your apprentice to a record, antique or bookstore and ask them to pick out items that reflect their identity. 

Discuss what items they chose and why. Have a conversation around Gospel Identity.