Session Outline And

TLG Tri Lakes Gathering Session Outline Who Are We in Christ Basil Marotta Jericho Ministries 719-487-9500 *material from Freedom in Christ Ministries Neil Anderson We've heard it said, and it proves to be true, the unexamined life is not worth living. If we flow through life without evaluating who we are and what we believe, we have not really lived. Deep down, we all desire to take a stand and live according to a consistent set of beliefs. This requires a boldness to explore beneath the surface of our beliefs, into our very soul! Without this boldness we may give the appearance of living, and may even fool ourselves for a number of years, but there will always be an emptiness until we look deep within and deal with what we find.

Psalm 139:23-24"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Session Outline: How would you answer the question, Who are you? The Bible tells us that we are precious in God’s sight we have identity in Christ. We are fearfully made and are created in the image of God. What is our identity in Christ? Neil Anderson in “Living Free in Christ” gives us some insight.

I Am Accepted in Christ … John 1:12 I am God's child John 15:15 I am Christ's friend Rom. 5:1 I have been justified I Cor. 6:17 I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit I Cor. 6:20 I have been bought with a price; I belong to God I Cor. 12:27. I am a member of Christ's Body Eph. 1:1 I am a saint Eph. 1:5 I have been adopted as God's child Eph. 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit Col. 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins Col. 2:10 I am complete in Christ

I am Secure in Christ …. Rom. 8:1,2 I am free forever from condemnation Rom. 8:28) I am assured that all things work together for good Rom 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning charges against me Rom 8:35 I cannot be separated from the love of God 2 Cor. 1:21 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God Col. 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God Phil. 1:6 I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected Phil. 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven 2 Tim. 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear Heb. 4:16 I find grace and mercy in time of need I John. 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me

I Am Significant in Christ …. Matt. 5:13 16 I am the salt and light of the earth John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His love John. 15:8, 16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ's I Cor. 3:16 I am God's temple 2 Cor. 5:18, 20 I am a minister of reconciliation 2 Cor. 6:1 I am God's coworker Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm Eph. 2:10 I am God's workmanship Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Life Implication: “Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the victorious Christian life.” Neil Anderson

Satan’s lie… God’s Truth… You are a sinner because you sometimes sin You are a saint (declared righteous by God), who sometimes sin

You get your identity from what you have done You get your identity from what God has done for you

You get your identity from what people say about you You get your identity from what God says about you

Your behavior tells you what to believe about yourself Your belief about yourself determines your behavior

*Adapted from “Resolving Spiritual Conflicts and Cross-Cultural Ministry” by Dr. Timothy Warner Two books by Neil Anderson…The Bondage Breaker and Victory …Over the Darkness.

For Discussion: What do you need to do to understand and live out your identity in Christ to the fullest?

Some Definitions of an authentic Biblical man…..

I am a blood bought child of the living God who has been adopted by the King into his family.

NCMM…An authentic biblical man is one who walks in the fullness of the image of God…who reflects Jesus in all that he is and does…and is a man of personal integrity who accepts responsibility to lead, provide for, and protect his wife, his family and those in the culture he can influence for Christ.

Tony Evans… A real man is one who is godly; seeks God’s will and does it; is obedient and submissive to God; is willing to offer his life as a sacrifice to God; put his desires aside and seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.

(Job 1:8 NIV) Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

Stu Weber…A real man is … kind; is caring; walks away from silly macho fights; helps his wife; helps his kids when they are sick; doesn’t run from his problems; sticks to his word and keeps his promises; is honest; is not in trouble with the law.

Finally…Who am I…I am a blood bought child of the living God who has been adopted by the King into His family as one of His sons.