REVIEW

A brief recap of what we’ve learned so far about Identity:

In Scripture, The Heart always refers to the core of a person’s identity. It controls the intellect, emotions, and will.

“A person’s identity is the set of purposes, priorities, perspectives, and principles that are held, consciously or unconsciously, that guide their feelings, decisions, and behaviors.” —- Dr. Eric Moyer

Sin is an identity issue
Salvation is an identity solution
Sanctification is an identity process

Principles are Identity’s Truths

PREPARE

There are tree lined streets here in Loveland with houses and families, people out walking their dogs, children playing in their backyards, looking around you might not see any difference than if you were standing on a street say in Kansas. But move a short distance and the Rocky Mountains come into view in all their grandeur and beauty, making it clear that you are in fact not in Kansas, but Colorado! When our perspective changes, our understanding of reality changes with it. A Christian Perspective is the point of view from which we observe and interpret how the principles of the Kingdom of God interact with our circumstances. When we substitute the unique perspective God has for us in place of our own limited view of things, our lives are changed.

Prepare for this week’s message by studying the perspectives found in Job 38, Psalm 73, Matthew 6:25-34

LISTEN

Verses: Jn 15:18-19, 1 Jn 2:15-17, 2 Cor 5:17, Rom 8:1-2, Gal 3:26-29, Phil 3:7-11, Phil 1:18b-26

Main Point: Principles transformed by the truth will change our perspectives on life.

1. The Power of Perspective

2. Relationship with God

3. Relationship with Others

REFLECT

1. What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about the character of God?
2. What are perspectives? What is the relationship between principles and perspectives? What are some of the biggest disconnects between principles and perspectives in the Christian church? What places does your understanding of the truth fail to change your perceptions of the world?
3. Read John 15:18-19 and 1 John 2:15-17. What did Jesus say to His disciples about their relationship to the culture around them? What does it mean that Christians “do not belong to this world”? What kind of treatment should Christians expect from the world?
4. What did John say about loving the world and loving God? What does it mean to love the world?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:1-2, and Galatians 3:26-29. What does it mean to be “In Christ”? How does this foundational truth shape a Christian’s understanding of life?
6. What are the implications of a Christian being “in Christ”? How does this change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us?
7. Read Philippians 3:7-11. What did Paul communicate in these verses? How did his perception of what was important change when he became a follower of Christ? What was his goal as a result of being in Christ?
8. Read Philippians 1:18b-26. Based on knowing Jesus, Paul wrote about his eternal perspective on life. What was the focus of his life? Why did he want to die? Why did he want to live? What do these verses reveal about Paul’s perspective?

ACT

- What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
- How can you deepen your relationship with God and follow Him more closely this week?
- Who is someone you can share what you learned with?