Reset Our Identity Ephesians 1:1-10

Losing Identity

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2

The Lower Story

The Upper Story

Reseting Our Identity

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed

Chosen Adopted

Redeemed

Resetting Our Identity in Christ Try this spiritual practice as a way of setting your mind on Christ. On Monday, throughout the day, pray this simple prayer as often as it comes to mind: “Thank you Father for choosing me in Christ.” Each day of the week thereafter, substitute “choosing” with other meaningful words from Ephesians 1:1-14 (e.g. adopting, forgiving, redeeming, etc.)

Resources: Practice Resurrection by Eugene Peterson The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians by Klyne Snodgrass Church: Why Bother? By Phillip Yancey Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Digging Deeper

This week’s passages: This Week’s Big Idea: “Your identity in Monday – Ephesians 1:1-10 Christ is unbelievably good news and it Tuesday – Ephesians 1:11-14 is the truest thing about you.” Wednesday – Ephesians 1:15-21 Thursday – Ephesians 2:1-10 Friday – Ephesians 2:11-22 Weekend – Review the most meaningful passages of the week.

Our series, RESET, will help us hit the reset button as the new school year begins. You are invited to read each day’s passage and then respond to the following questions. You might find it beneficial to use a journal or notebook to record insights.

1. Read the passage prayerfully, listening for the voice of God and asking him to speak to you. 2. Record or write down the word, phrase, or verse that God impresses upon you. 3. Reflect and write down what it is about this word, phrase or verse that is meaningful to you. 4. Respond by writing a prayer or recording what it is that you think the Lord wants you to do in response to his word (“Be doers of the word and not hearers only” James 1:22).