Identity Series - Week 1
Who Am I?
What, Where and Why?
Identity - Week 1
What is Identity?
So, what exactly is identity? When we begin to talk about identity, I believe it is important to define what it is and what it is not. Let’s begin by looking at a few definitions of identity.
Identity (Webster): the distinguishing character or personality of an individual; individuality.
Identity (Google): the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.
These definitions can be confusing. What is a good biblical definition of our Identity in Christ?
David Benner, a psychologist and author of the book “The Gift of Being Yourself,” defines identity as “who we experience ourselves to be — the ‘I’ each of us carries within.” Benner suggests “an identity grounded in God would mean that when we think of who we are, the first thing that would come to mind is our status as someone who is deeply loved by God.”
Our identity is our who we are as someone who is deeply loved by God!
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
We are image bearers of God and were created to be a reflection of Him. God never designed us to be identified any other way. However, evil entered the world and Adam and Eve fell into sin. They believed the lies Satan told them and in their own works rather than the true work God had already done.
Where is our Identity?
So where do we as men tend to find our identity? Better yet, what is the first question you usually ask someone you have just met? That answer is usually, “What do you do for a living?” We have a habit of defining ourselves by where we work and what our job title is. We also tend to define our identity as other parts of our life. Here is a quick list of ways we tend to define ourselves:
Where you live What you drive your income your hobbies
How much you bench your golf handicap Social Media your Body fat
Kids accomplishments Kids sports your clothing your education
When we identify ourselves horizontally, we tend to look at everything around us, and our faith in things that will someday all go away. The truth is someday our talents, abilities, and looks will all fade and when we die, all our stuff will go to someone else. All of these things are well and good and it is not sinful to work, to make money, or to play golf, however, too much of anything can become an idol in our lives. We easily buy into worldly thinking that claims we are “what we do” instead of “what God has already done.”
That is why Romans 12:2 says; Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Our identity is also not defined by the things we have done or by the things done to us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Do you know what that means? The mistakes we made, the harsh words we said, heard, or believed or any of our failures in life do not define who we are. Jesus died for ALL of those things and they do not belong to you anymore.
God made us to look to Him for our identity and not the world around us. This vertical identity that He has for us will never fade and can never be taken away. It is ours to keep and it was bought with the highest price.
Philippians 3:20 states: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…
Why Identity?
You may be asking yourself, why do I need to know my identity in Christ anyway? “I mean, I’m a man, right? Can’t I just be tough and muscle my way through this life? You know, like most men do?” The truth is that men tend to believe things they have heard in their past that just are not true. Whether it was from parents, peers, coaches, or whoever, these lies can start to feel like the truth.
“Real men don’t cry!” “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” “You will never amount to anything!”
These are just a few of the lies that were spoken (usually loudly)to me from an early age. After hearing those lies over and over again, I began to believe them and they became an identity that God never intended me to have. I believed if I cried I was less of a man, it wasn’t okay for me to be me, I had to be someone else. I believed no matter how hard I tried, I would never be enough, so I just quit trying. Maybe you can relate to some of these statements.
Men, we need to understand what lies we are believing and finally hear the truth. We need to put down the things we have believed about ourselves for far too long and we need to pick up God’s truth for our lives. Your true identity is the key to so much breakthrough in our lives. Breakthroughs like finally walking away from addiction, having the marriage God intended you to have, and breaking off of generational curses so our children can live and grow up with the truth.
Our goal with this series is that your life will be transformed and you will live in freedom from the lies you have believed for far too long. Are you with me?
Here is part of how we are going to do just that. Each week we will recite, as a group, these biblical truths over our lives. Why each week? Because repetition leads to retention. We need to hear these truths over and over again until it sinks deep into our souls that this is what God thinks of us. This is the truth the devil has hidden from us. This is who we are!
Questions:
1. How does David Benner’s definition of identity differ from what you have defined identity to be in the past?
2. Where have you found your identity horizontally? What would it take for you to make the shift and look vertically for your identity?
Activation: Memorize and meditate on one of these passages of scriptures. Ask Holy Spirit what He is speaking to you through that passage. Next week talk with your group about that passage and share with them what you heard.
Identity Scriptures
(Recite these together as a group. You can begin the remaining weeks by reciting them before you begin.)
John 12:1 I am a child of God.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am Christ’s personal witness sent out to tell everyone about Him.
Romans 8:17 I am a co-heir with Christ, inheriting His glory.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am a temple, a dwelling place, for God. His Spirit and His life live in me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am joined forever to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am part of Christ’s body.
2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a new person. My past is forgiven and everything is new.
2 Corinthians 5:18 I am at peace with God.
Galatians 4:6,7 I am a child of God and will receive the inheritance He has promised.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint, a holy person.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s building project, His handiwork, created in Christ to do His work
Ephesians 2:19 I am a citizen of heaven with all of God’s family.
Ephesians 4:24 I am righteous and holy.
Colossians 3:4 I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.
Colossians 3:12 I am the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
1 Peter 2:5 I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house.
1 Peter 2:9,10 I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
1 John 3:1,2 I am a child of God, and I will be like Christ when He returns.
1 John 5:18 I am born again in Christ, and the evil one, the devil, cannot touch me.
Romans 5:1 Since I am in Christ, by the grace of God, I am now acceptable to God, justified, and completely forgiven. I live at peace with Him.
Romans 6:1-6 The sinful person I used to be died with Christ, and sin no longer rules my life.
1 Corinthians 2:12 I have received God’s Spirit into my life. I can recognize the blessings He has given me.
1 Corinthians 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ. He gives me His wisdom to make right choices.
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God.
Ephesians 1:13,14 I am God’s possession, chosen and secure in Him. I have been given the Holy Spirit as a promise of my inheritance to come.
2 Corinthians 5:14,15 Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 I have been made acceptable (righteous) to God.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live is Christ’s life.
Ephesians 1:3 I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
Ephesians 1:4 I was chosen in Christ to be holy before the world was created. I am without blame before Him.
Ephesians 1:5 I was chosen by God, predestined to be adopted as His child.
Ephesians 1:7,8 I have been bought out of slavery to sin, redeemed and forgiven. I have received His generous grace.
Ephesians 2:5 I have been made spiritually alive, just as Christ is alive.
Ephesians 2:6 I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven.
Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence.
Colossians 1:13 I have been rescued from the dark power of Satan’s rule and have been brought into the kingdom of Christ.
Colossians 1:14 I have been forgiven of all my sins and set free. The debt against me has been canceled.
Colossians 2:7 I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him.
Colossians 1:27 Christ Himself lives in me.
Identity Series - Week 1
Who Am I?
What, Where and Why?
Identity - Week 1
What is Identity?
So, what exactly is identity? When we begin to talk about identity, I believe it is important to define what it is and what it is not. Let’s begin by looking at a few definitions of identity.
Identity (Webster): the distinguishing character or personality of an individual; individuality.
Identity (Google): the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.
These definitions can be confusing. What is a good biblical definition of our Identity in Christ?
David Benner, a psychologist and author of the book “The Gift of Being Yourself,” defines identity as “who we experience ourselves to be — the ‘I’ each of us carries within.” Benner suggests “an identity grounded in God would mean that when we think of who we are, the first thing that would come to mind is our status as someone who is deeply loved by God.”
Our identity is our who we are as someone who is deeply loved by God!
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
We are image bearers of God and were created to be a reflection of Him. God never designed us to be identified any other way. However, evil entered the world and Adam and Eve fell into sin. They believed the lies Satan told them and in their own works rather than the true work God had already done.
Where is our Identity?
So where do we as men tend to find our identity? Better yet, what is the first question you usually ask someone you have just met? That answer is usually, “What do you do for a living?” We have a habit of defining ourselves by where we work and what our job title is. We also tend to define our identity as other parts of our life. Here is a quick list of ways we tend to define ourselves:
Where you live What you drive your income your hobbies
How much you bench your golf handicap Social Media your Body fat
Kids accomplishments Kids sports your clothing your education
When we identify ourselves horizontally, we tend to look at everything around us, and our faith in things that will someday all go away. The truth is someday our talents, abilities, and looks will all fade and when we die, all our stuff will go to someone else. All of these things are well and good and it is not sinful to work, to make money, or to play golf, however, too much of anything can become an idol in our lives. We easily buy into worldly thinking that claims we are “what we do” instead of “what God has already done.”
That is why Romans 12:2 says; Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Our identity is also not defined by the things we have done or by the things done to us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Do you know what that means? The mistakes we made, the harsh words we said, heard, or believed or any of our failures in life do not define who we are. Jesus died for ALL of those things and they do not belong to you anymore.
God made us to look to Him for our identity and not the world around us. This vertical identity that He has for us will never fade and can never be taken away. It is ours to keep and it was bought with the highest price.
Philippians 3:20 states: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…
Why Identity?
You may be asking yourself, why do I need to know my identity in Christ anyway? “I mean, I’m a man, right? Can’t I just be tough and muscle my way through this life? You know, like most men do?” The truth is that men tend to believe things they have heard in their past that just are not true. Whether it was from parents, peers, coaches, or whoever, these lies can start to feel like the truth.
“Real men don’t cry!” “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” “You will never amount to anything!”
These are just a few of the lies that were spoken (usually loudly)to me from an early age. After hearing those lies over and over again, I began to believe them and they became an identity that God never intended me to have. I believed if I cried I was less of a man, it wasn’t okay for me to be me, I had to be someone else. I believed no matter how hard I tried, I would never be enough, so I just quit trying. Maybe you can relate to some of these statements.
Men, we need to understand what lies we are believing and finally hear the truth. We need to put down the things we have believed about ourselves for far too long and we need to pick up God’s truth for our lives. Your true identity is the key to so much breakthrough in our lives. Breakthroughs like finally walking away from addiction, having the marriage God intended you to have, and breaking off of generational curses so our children can live and grow up with the truth.
Our goal with this series is that your life will be transformed and you will live in freedom from the lies you have believed for far too long. Are you with me?
Here is part of how we are going to do just that. Each week we will recite, as a group, these biblical truths over our lives. Why each week? Because repetition leads to retention. We need to hear these truths over and over again until it sinks deep into our souls that this is what God thinks of us. This is the truth the devil has hidden from us. This is who we are!
Questions:
1. How does David Benner’s definition of identity differ from what you have defined identity to be in the past?
2. Where have you found your identity horizontally? What would it take for you to make the shift and look vertically for your identity?
Activation: Memorize and meditate on one of these passages of scriptures. Ask Holy Spirit what He is speaking to you through that passage. Next week talk with your group about that passage and share with them what you heard.
Identity Scriptures
(Recite these together as a group. You can begin the remaining weeks by reciting them before you begin.)
John 12:1 I am a child of God.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am Christ’s personal witness sent out to tell everyone about Him.
Romans 8:17 I am a co-heir with Christ, inheriting His glory.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am a temple, a dwelling place, for God. His Spirit and His life live in me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am joined forever to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am part of Christ’s body.
2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a new person. My past is forgiven and everything is new.
2 Corinthians 5:18 I am at peace with God.
Galatians 4:6,7 I am a child of God and will receive the inheritance He has promised.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint, a holy person.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s building project, His handiwork, created in Christ to do His work
Ephesians 2:19 I am a citizen of heaven with all of God’s family.
Ephesians 4:24 I am righteous and holy.
Colossians 3:4 I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.
Colossians 3:12 I am the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
1 Peter 2:5 I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house.
1 Peter 2:9,10 I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
1 John 3:1,2 I am a child of God, and I will be like Christ when He returns.
1 John 5:18 I am born again in Christ, and the evil one, the devil, cannot touch me.
Romans 5:1 Since I am in Christ, by the grace of God, I am now acceptable to God, justified, and completely forgiven. I live at peace with Him.
Romans 6:1-6 The sinful person I used to be died with Christ, and sin no longer rules my life.
1 Corinthians 2:12 I have received God’s Spirit into my life. I can recognize the blessings He has given me.
1 Corinthians 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ. He gives me His wisdom to make right choices.
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God.
Ephesians 1:13,14 I am God’s possession, chosen and secure in Him. I have been given the Holy Spirit as a promise of my inheritance to come.
2 Corinthians 5:14,15 Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 I have been made acceptable (righteous) to God.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live is Christ’s life.
Ephesians 1:3 I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
Ephesians 1:4 I was chosen in Christ to be holy before the world was created. I am without blame before Him.
Ephesians 1:5 I was chosen by God, predestined to be adopted as His child.
Ephesians 1:7,8 I have been bought out of slavery to sin, redeemed and forgiven. I have received His generous grace.
Ephesians 2:5 I have been made spiritually alive, just as Christ is alive.
Ephesians 2:6 I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven.
Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence.
Colossians 1:13 I have been rescued from the dark power of Satan’s rule and have been brought into the kingdom of Christ.
Colossians 1:14 I have been forgiven of all my sins and set free. The debt against me has been canceled.
Colossians 2:7 I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him.
Colossians 1:27 Christ Himself lives in me.