WARM-UP
Q: Who can tell me what the word identity means?
Identity is who you are. If I asked you, “Who are you?” what would you say? (take a few answers). Is that all you are?
Q: What are some things that help you know who you are?
Our identity is determined by God. He gets to determine who we are because He made us. We are each unique and special to God.
WORKOUT
A lot of the New Testament was written by Paul. Before Paul was pursuing truth and life with Jesus he was known by Saul and he was not a nice man. He did not believe Jesus was God’s Son so he tried to hurt people who did believe that.
In Acts 8 and 9 we see a radical change in his life. On his way to hurt people who believed in Jesus he sees a great light and hears the voice of Jesus talking to him. Jesus questions Saul and when Saul asks who it is that is speaking Jesus tells him, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” Then Jesus gives Saul directions on what to do next. After the bright light leaves, Saul cannot see, he is blind.
After this encounter Saul’s name is changed to Paul and he cannot stop telling people about Jesus and His transformative power in his life.
Q: What is one thing you would change about yourself if you could?
The truth is “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). God created you just the way He wanted you to be.
WRAP-UP
We don’t often feel like we were created perfectly. We allow our identity to be defined by others. Whenever we feel that way we need to go back to pursuing the truth about our identity in God’s Word.
Let’s pray!
“Lord, help me find my identity in You. Help me to know the truth about who You say I am. Thank You for making me. Help me to do the good things You prepared. In Jesus’ name, amen.”