LESSON 6: GOSPEL IDENTITY

from Chapter 8
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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.

“Weak Identities flow from BAD NEWS—what you must do for self. Gospel Identity flows from GOOD NEWS—what Jesus did for you.”
—Stop Trying, pg 115

1. THE GOSPEL RECONCILES THE CONFLICT OF INDIVIDUALITY AND COMMUNITY
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2. THE GOSPEL MOVES US FROM FLOUNDERING TO FLOURISHING
• IT SETS US FREE FROM OTHERS
• IT SETS US FREE FROM OURSELVES

3. THE GOSPEL REQUIRES US TO LOOK TO AND FOR JESUS
PSALMS 34:4-5
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

JEREMIAH 9:23-24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How does the gospel reconcile the weak identities?
2. How does the gospel set us free?
3. Why is gospel identity a lifelong process?
4. How does an understanding of these “identities” help us share Christ with others?