Lesson 7: Gospel Identity Redeems Failure Outline
December 10, 2023

LESSON 7: GOSPEL IDENTITY REDEEMS FAILURE

from Chapter 9

MARK 8:35
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life
for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

1 JOHN 3:1a
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God:

TERMS
Identity:
Deepest idea of who you are. It is the story you tell yourself about yourself.

Identity is usually validated by two voices:
Internal (what I think about myself) and External (what others say about me).

Identity Formation:
What we trust to build ourselves.

Traditional Identity:
Others define me (Outside In).

Modern Identity:
I define me (Inside Out).

Gospel Identity:
Jesus defines me.

1. JESUS’ STORY TEACHES US THAT WE TEND TO VIEW OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THROUGH A MODERN OR TRADITIONAL LENS.

2. JESUS’ STORY TEACHES US THAT WE CAN RECEIVE HIS LOVE
WITHOUT TRULY EXPERIENCING OR BEING TRANSFORMED BY IT.

3. JESUS’ STORY TEACHES US THAT FAILURE AND STRUGGLE CAN
MAKE OUR FATHER’S LOVE EXPERIENTIAL IF WE RUN HOME
IN REPENTANCE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Compare and contrast the two brothers from the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32). Where do you see the weak identities and the gospel identity?

  2. How does our view of our relationship with God manifest in a modern lense? What about a traditional lense?

  3. How does the idea of running to Jesus break the mold of running from threats to our own identity? Explain.