Series: Becoming Who We Are
Topic: Ephesians 1:1-14
Main Idea: Our identity in Christ inspires who we are and what we do.

1. If you could be a superhero with one special power, what would it be? Why?

As a group read Ephesians 1:1-14 together.

2. List all of the things that God did for us when he saved us. From that list, what stands out to you the most about what Paul says in this passage? Why?

In many ways, Ephesians 1:1-14 is all about our identity as Christians; who we are because of what God has done for us. Discuss the following questions with that in mind.

3. Why do you think Paul begins this passage with so much information regarding our identity as Christians? Why is the question of “identity” so important in the Christian faith?

4. Where does the world tell us to find our identity? What is the danger in looking to locate our identity in anything other than what God says? What impact do you think the increase of social media has had on our understanding of image versus identity?

5. Describe a time in your life when who you thought you were and/or what others identified you as influenced what you did.

6. Today, where are you tempted to find your identity apart from what God says in Scripture? How do those things shape your sense of who you are and influence what you do?

7. In the book Who Do You Think You Are? the author says that as humans we’re tempted to look at things other than Scripture to find our identity. He categorizes these according to the acronym “I.D.O.L.S.”
I – Items –The things we own.
D – Duties –The things we do (job, hobbies, helping others).
O – Others – What others think of us.
L – Longings – The desires we have (for our future, a relationship, title, level of income)
S – Sufferings – The difficulties we are going through.

Today, where are you tempted to find your identity apart from what God says in Scripture? How do those things shape your sense of who you are and influence what you do?

Look back at the list of things that God has done for us (Look Down) and compare them with the things you have been/are tempted to look to in the previous question.

8. Talk with your group about the ways owning even one of the truths from the passage could transform how you think about yourself, the decisions you make, the behaviors you live out, etc.

9. Spend some time as a group listening to the Holy Spirit for 2 things:

• Ask God to reveal to you a part of this identity in Christ that you or someone else in your group need to receive anew today.

• Ask God to reveal how your life group can live out this identity where you live/work/play.

Drawing on the guidance of the Holy Spirit pray for one another to become who God says we are in Christ and to live out our new identity in the coming week.

Purpose: Introduce topic and get everyone talking.

1. If you could be a superhero with one special power, what would it be? Why?

This is a “lighter” question intended to get the conversation going.

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text.

As a group read Ephesians 1:1-14 together.

2. List all of the things that God did for us when he saved us. From that list, what stands out to you the most about what Paul says in this passage? Why?

Before your group responds to this question it’s probably a good idea to address the fact that you are wading into some weighty subjects. As you lead your group it’s good to encourage people’s curiosity about what Paul is describing, but steer them away from having a theological debate about any of the ideas because that misses the point of the passage. Paul’s focus is on celebrating what God has done for us.

A helpful question for those that want to talk some about these concepts might be: What have you heard/thought about this before?

In this context election/predestination simply refers to God’s decision to save someone. The important thing to help your group unpack is that God chose us for adoption.

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

In many ways, Ephesians 1:1-14 is all about our identity as Christians; who we are because of what God has done for us. Discuss the following questions with that in mind.

3. Why do you think Paul begins this passage with so much information regarding our identity as Christians? Why is the question of “identity” so important in the Christian faith?

The priority for Paul in writing this letter is that the people wrap their minds around their new identity in Christ. Before he teaches them anything else, he wants to put the focus on their “being” rather than their “doing.” Their status with the Father as “adopted” in Christ is the foundation from which all the other blessings flow. And the great news is that nothing can change their “being”…they are officially God’s children.

A fun question to consider with your group might be, “What would it be like if every time you sent an email or text you communicated this much positive stuff about someone’s identity at the opening?”

4. Where does the world tell us to find our identity? What is the danger in looking to locate our identity in anything other than what God says? What impact do you think the increase of social media has had on our understanding of image versus identity?

The world points people to find their identity in anything that has value within the culture. (If your group gets stuck you can jump down to the I.D.O.L.S. list in Question 7 below to offer some categories)
Advertising and social media are two key ways that the message of what is valuable is communicated. They have people’s attention and subtly shape their perspective.
A primary difference between image and identity is that an image is something you can create to present to the public, while identity is who you are in your personal being. The two will not necessarily be in alignment, because a person’s image is easily manipulated but identity is more comprehensive.

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

5. Describe a time in your life when who you thought you were and/or what others identified you as influenced what you did.

Examples: I was a jock in high school and so I lived out some of that stereotype (i.e. I spent a lot of time in the weight room, spoke loudly, hid my smarts from others. Or, everyone told me I was a perfect angel and so I became a perfectionist (i.e. worked for good grades, always kept a smile on my face, lied to hide my mistakes and shame).

6. Today, where are you tempted to find your identity apart from what God says in Scripture? How do those things shape your sense of who you are and influence what you do?

7. In the book Who Do You Think You Are? the author says that as humans we’re tempted to look at things other than Scripture to find our identity. He categorizes these according to the acronym “I.D.O.L.S.”
I – Items –The things we own.
D – Duties –The things we do (job, hobbies, helping others).
O – Others – What others think of us.
L – Longings – The desires we have (for our future, a relationship, title, level of income)
S – Sufferings – The difficulties we are going through.

For the sake of time it might be helpful to just have go around your group and have each person identify one of the IDOLS that shapes and influences them. As people share, focus on validating what others share without feeling the need to offer advice or fix.

Purpose: Imagine what your world would look like if the truths from the passage were lived out.

Look back at the list of things that God has done for us (Look Down) and compare them with the things you have been/are tempted to look to in the previous question.

8. Talk with your group about the ways owning even one of the truths from the passage could transform how you think about yourself, the decisions you make, the behaviors you live out, etc.

Push your group to be as specific as possible about which truth they would own and try to provide concrete examples of what could result. This will provide a good jumping off point for the following prayer exercise.

9. Spend some time as a group listening to the Holy Spirit for 2 things:

Ask God to reveal to you a part of this identity in Christ that you or someone else in your group need to receive anew today.

Ask God to reveal how your life group can live out this identity where you live/work/play.

Drawing on the guidance of the Holy Spirit pray for one another to become who God says we are in Christ and to live out our new identity in the coming week.

As you lead your group into this time of prayer explain to them that the practice of listening to the Holy Spirit is simply opening yourself up to what God may want to say. It’s a “super”natural thing in that it is the most natural thing in the world for us to listen for our Father’s direction and then follow it. This might be a new practice for your group, but Life Groups are one of the safest places to learn and practice ministering to each other in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Open your prayer time by simply asking the Holy Spirit to lead you. Take 1 or 2 minutes of silence and listen for how He may be leading you. It takes practice to discern his leading, but this is a great place to take a step of faith in prayer as we learn. After listening for 1 or 2 minutes, if there’s a word / action / image / scripture that is sticking out to anyone, they should dare to share that with the group or individual in a prayer. You can ask if a person is comfortable with having someone else place their hands on them as they are praying for them.

If you’re unsure, praying scripture is an excellent place to start. You can read Ephesians 1:1-14, encouraging people to receive it as God speaking their new identity over them. You can also ask the Spirit to give you a different scripture to pray over this person. It may not mean a lot to you, but the Spirit can use that scripture to touch that person’s heart. Excess words can often get in the way, so focus in on what the Spirit brings to mind, and simply pray that.

Continue to pray for your group members as led or as needs surface. After the prayer time, debrief in the group with those who were prayed over. Ask if any of the prayers or words spoken over them resonated with them. Ask how they felt God meet them through the prayer. Celebrate any ways in which God used the group to minister to each other.