Why do we experience a lack of personal identity? What is it in our selves or our world that makes us feel disconnected or fractured? Without taking a look at Scripture’s understanding of human personality and identity in light of creation and fall, we will never be able to begin the journey toward finding ourselves in God.
Key Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24; 2 Samuel 11-12; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:1; Philippians 2:12
SERMON OUTLINE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Why Do We Feel Stuck? (Genesis 1-3)
- Stuck living (Dreams and reality)
- Stuck spiritually (Creation and Fall)
Getting Unstuck (Ephesians 2:1-10]
- Remembering the dream of God
- Facing the reality of our humanity
- Embracing the new reality and the remaking of dreams
Living Unstuck (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Living in Christ
- Living as a new Creation
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you felt stuck in your life? What happened? Did anything change?
- We begin our new series “Who Am I?” by looking at how we feel stuck and how God brings freedom into our lives through finding identity in Christ. Ask God to speak to you through His Word, and then begin the study.
- Read the story of Creation and Fall in Genesis 1-3. This is a long passage of Scripture, so reflect on these questions as you read it:
- What is God like (Genesis 1-3)?
- What is the created world like (Genesis 1-2)?
- What is humanity like before sin (Genesis 1-2) versus after sin (Genesis 3)?
- Sin is the experience that things are not right as God intended, both within our own lives and the world beyond us. Read 2 Samuel 10-11 to see how sin plays out in the life of David the King. Consider the following questions as you read:
- What did David do that was wrong?
- How did David try to deal with it on his own?
- How did his wrong ways come to light?
- What was the result of this wrong?
- Ephesians 2:1-10 summarizes the human reality in sin and the possibility through Christ. Read that passage aloud and summarize it in your own words.
- Have you experienced the new life in Christ? If so, what has happened? If not, what still holds you back from that?
- Now read 2 Corinthians 5:17 aloud. In this one sentence, the Apostle Paul offers a beautiful picture of life with God. What stands out to you about this verse?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you are on your own, write it down and pray about it. If you are in a small group, take time to discuss this with one another before praying together.
DIG DEEPER
- Access great daily Bible reading plans and devotionals via the YouVersion Bible app (youversion.com) or online, such as Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest (utmost.org).