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I am in Christ

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. COLOSSIANS 3:3-4 NIV

When I find my identity in Christ…

Everything that is true of Jesus is also true of me

And your life is now hidden with Christ in God. COLOSSIANS 3:3 NIV

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish, and free from accusation COLOSSIANS 1:22 NIV

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. COLOSSIANS 1:27 NLT

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. COLOSSIANS 2:12 NLT

Since you know that you will receive an inheritance… COLOSSIANS 3:24 NIV

This isn’t just true of you theologically, but it is becoming true of you in reality

I’m in the process of becoming who I truly am

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness COLOSSIANS 2:6-7 NIV

Everything else falls into proper perspective

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. COLOSSIANS 3:1-3 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to settle yourself, laying down any burdens from the day. Invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him as you work through this reflection exercise. Examine the words or phrases you use to describe yourself. What do these say about how you value yourself and/or what you find personal meaning in? Ask God to reveal any lies about yourself that seem true–when these come up, invite God to write a new narrative about who He sees that you are. If God’s new narrative seems hard to believe, ask Him for evidence from your life that reinforces how He sees you. Consider writing down these affirmations of your identity in Christ in your journal or in the space below, using the phrase: “I am _______” and filling in the blank with these personal words from God. Now, pray through each of these, and ask God to help you see how your life and relationships might change as a result of this new, God-given identity. Ask God to give you the strength and the courage to live out of this place this week. Write down any additional reflections in the space below, sharing with a close friend or someone in your small group this week.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. GET STARTED: Why do you think the idea of ‘identity’ is so prevalent in our culture today?
  2. GET STARTED: How would you describe yourself in a few words to someone you just met?
  3. GET STARTED: Has anyone spoken words over you that have been life-giving? What did they say?
  4. KEEP GOING: How has your view of your identity changed over the course of your life?
  5. GET STARTED: Read Colossians 3:3-4 (NLT). How does knowing what’s coming in the future, as promised by God, impact how you live in the present?
  6. GET STARTED: What about yourself would you say is in the process of ‘becoming’?
  7. GET STARTED: Read Colossians 1:22 (NLT). What lies have you believed about yourself over the years? What did you learn from the message that helped you counteract these lies?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT). Where do you think “setting your heart on things above” could most benefit your life right now, especially when it comes to areas like success, failure, relationships, and shortcomings?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Which of the verses in Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT) do you need to meditate on or memorize this week to remind yourself of your identity in Christ?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Regular scripture reading is one way we can remind ourselves of who God says we are. If you haven’t yet checked out the Bible Reading Plan and Reflections on Colossians (both available in the Sandals Church App), we encourage you to do so this week!