Chapter 1

Main Point: When we understand our identity in Christ, it will change how we live.

“If you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.” —Hendrik Kraemer

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. —Ephesians 1:3

Blessed

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. —Ephesians 1:4-6

Holy and Blameless

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. —Ephesians 1:7-10

Redeemed and Forgiven

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:11-12

Chosen

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:13-14

Included and Marked

Takeaway: If your life belongs to Jesus, don’t let anyone else but him define your identity.

Discussion Questions
1.Why do you think that Paul wrote letters to some of the churches? What was the value to them? What is the value to us?
2.What is your identity? If you had to boil it down to five words or less, what would you say?
3.How does it make you feel to be identified as “holy and blameless”? How do you reconcile that in your mind?

Table Discussion Question: What does it mean to you to be chosen? When is a time in your life, other than by Jesus, that you were chosen?