BIG POINT: Our identity is defined by four words:
Five identity-defining truths: In Christ, I am…
1. Holy because God
2. God’s child because He
3. Forgiven because God
4. Confident because
5. At peace because the Holy Spirit
NOTES:
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and discuss:
• When you hear the question “Who are you?”, what kinds of labels or
descriptors tend to come to mind first (roles, achievements, failures,
relationships, personality traits)?
• Sometimes the labels that stick the longest are often the ones
spoken over us. Have there been words or labels spoken over you that
shaped how you see yourself? How have those labels affected your
confidence, decisions, or faith?
• Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and note how often the phrase “in Christ” (or
some variation of it) appears. Why do you think Paul is so intentional
about repeating this phrase? How does it shift the way we think about
identity?
• Discuss the implications of being adopted into God’s family. How
does this deepen our assurance?
• What does it mean to be redeemed? How is it helpful to think of sin
not only as guilt to be forgiven, but as chains to be broken? Where do
you most need to experience freedom right now?
• Paul says we “have obtained an inheritance” (past tense). How does
knowing that your future is already secure change the way you face
temptation, failure, or suffering today?
• Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our
inheritance. What difference does it make to know that your salvation
is secured by God, not sustained by your performance? Does this lead
to passivity? Why or why not?
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
What is one false label you’ve been carrying that directly contradicts
who God says you are in Christ? Take a moment this week to name it
and then intentionally replace it with one truth from Ephesians 1:3-14.