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Who Am I?

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. COLOSSIANS 3:9-12 NIV

Do you know who you are?

Who I believe I am determines the kind of person I become

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. COLOSSIANS 3:1 NIV

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. COLOSSIANS 3:3 NIV

Popular opinion: I am what people say about me

Pleasure: I am what I desire

Possessions: I am what I have

Performance: I am what I do

Do you know where you find meaning?

I matter because…

I am safe because I belong…

I am happy because…

Fear motivates me to project a false image of who I am

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices COLOSSIANS 3:9 NIV

What part(s) of yourself are you afraid to look at in God’s presence?

Who I am in Christ is infinitely greater than who I pretend to be

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. COLOSSIANS 3:12 NIV

The false self that I need to confess is that I am ______________

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Go to a quiet place where you can spend some time with God, reflecting on the sermon. Wait until your thoughts and emotions become reasonably still. Take a few deep breaths. When you are ready, invite God into the time and ask Him to guide your thoughts. How would you describe who you actually are? How does God see who you are in your new self? What are your thoughts and feelings about any differences between the two? Ask God to help you picture what your life would look like if you lived more from your new self than your old self. Ask God to help you discern those things you tend to rely on to tell you who you are rather than God. Do you tend to rely on possessions, performance, what others think, or something else? Why would this false reliance hinder you from growing in your relationship with God? Confess the needs you have to God that you are trusting something else to meet rather than God providing them. Close your time by picturing God loving you despite being aware of the parts of you that you try to hide from Him. What are your feelings and thoughts about this? Thank God for His unconditional love and worth He freely gives you. Ask God to help you to take an action this week that grows you in reflecting your trust in how God sees you living in your new self.

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. START HERE: What character did you imagine yourself to be most when you were a kid? (Superhero, doctor/nurse, teacher, etc.) What was it about that character or role that drew you to it?
  2. START HERE: What is something you’re really good at that most people don’t know about you?
  3. START HERE: What is something that you’re afraid of?
  4. KEEP GOING: “The vast majority of us go to our graves without actually knowing who we are.” What are your reactions when you hear this quote?
  5. KEEP GOING: Some common ways we find identity are: Popularity (I am what people say about me), Pleasure (I am what I desire), Possessions (I am what I have), Performance (I am what I do). Which of these do you think has the greatest pull for you, and why?
  6. KEEP GOING: Can you identify a ‘script’ about yourself that has been running in your head over and over since childhood? What messages have you believed about yourself as a result?
  7. KEEP GOING: What fears come up for you when you think about being your true self in front of others?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read the following verses: Colossians 1:13 (you are rescued!), Colossians 3:1 (you are raised with Jesus!!), Colossians 3:3 (you are safe!). Which of these do you need to hear today the most?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Spend a few moments in silent prayer, asking God to reveal to you the following: “The false self that I need to confess is that I am _______.” What word or phrase did you fill in the blank with?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: This week, commit to listening to the Reflections on Colossians content (housed on the app). Share with the group any takeaways or experiences you had as you engaged with it.