STUDY 3: YOUR NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST (Part A)
AIM: To highlight the blessings and benefits that accompany our new life in Christ.
MEMORY VERSE 5: “But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God,” (Jn. 1:12)
How the Bible Explains How You Changed When You Surrendered to Christ:
- YOU WERE LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE: 1 You were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind … 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph.2:1-3, 12-13).
QUESTION:
What changes has God brought about through Christ’s death on the cross?
- YOU ARE GOD’S AMAZING CREATION: 13 For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your Book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Ps.139:13-17).
QUESTION:
Who plans the length of your days? How does this keep believers safe in a hostile world?
- WHAT JESUS TOLD NICODEMUS ABOUT THE NEW BIRTH: 3 … “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” … 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (Jn.3:3-8, 16)
QUESTION:
What did Jesus mean by the new birth? Why is it crucial to be born again?
- YOU ARE A FRIEND OF JESUS: 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you (Jn.15:13-15).
QUESTION:
What makes a person a friend of Jesus? How did Jesus prove He is your friend?
- YOU ARE AN ADOPTED CHILD OF ALMIGHTY GOD: 11 Jesus 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 (Jn.1:11-13).
QUESTION:
What two responses must you make to become part of the family of God?
- YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS AN ADOPTED SON OF THE LIVING GOD: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Gal.4:4-7).
QUESTION:
How do you know that your adoption as God’s child was no after-thought?
- AS AN ADOPTED CHILD OF GOD YOU HAVE AN INHERITANCE: 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom.8:14-17).
QUESTION:
How do you know you are a child of God? As an heir, what is your inheritance?
- YOUR IDENTITY IS IN CHRIST: 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise (Gal.3:26-29).
QUESTION:
Does Jesus change your gender or race at conversion? In what way then are we all equal?
So, who are you? Where is your identity?
- YOU ARE PART OF HIS BODY THE CHURCH: 24 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb.10:24-25).
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s generous and diverse grace: (1 Pet.4:10).
QUESTION:
Where should you go for encouragement? How can you be an encouragement to others?
MORE:
Why should we put Jesus first in all things? – Mt.6:33 …
What provision has God made for your growth? – Eph.4:11-16 …