Bible Study

Discovering Your Identity in Christ

Who are you? Trying to define yourself by possessions, accomplishments, or the way others perceive you often leads to disappointment. We were designed to live as God’s children, finding our ultimate fulfillment and contentment in His will for our lives. Let’s discover more about who we are in Christ.

A. Self-evaluation

• Honestly describe yourself. How do you really define who you are?

   

• What aspects of yourself do you dislike?

   

• Evaluate your answers to the questions above. To what extent are you dependent on external attributes or roles—such as appearance, education, skills, family relationships, and occupation—to describe yourself?

   

Unless we define our identity primarily by our relationship with Christ, we will encounter problems over time.

• How did Jesus describe Himself (John 14:9-10)?

   

• At the Last Supper, our Lord humbled Himself and washed the disciples’ feet. To what does John attribute Christ’s action (John 13:1-8)?

   

B. Walking in your new identity

1. Know the truth about who you are in Christ.

Some eastern religions speak of a person losing his personal identity as he develops greater god-consciousness. By contrast, Christianity teaches that we discover our unique identity as we draw closer to the Lord. Knowing we are secure in Him gives us the confidence to truly be ourselves, and His Spirit shows us our specific gifts and how to use them.

Our identity “in Christ” is emphasized over and over in Scripture. Below is a summary of what the Bible says about us. Fill in the missing areas of the chart. In the third column, describe how believing that particular aspect of your identity could change your life.

2. Choose to believe that your identity is found in Christ.

Other people, Satan, your experiences, and even your own thoughts will tell you all kinds of lies about your significance. That’s why you must take God’s perspective to heart. Monitor your thoughts closely. As you become aware of falsehoods, replace them with truth.

• What should you do when your inner self lies about your significance, past sin, or limitations
  (2 Cor. 10:5)?

   

• What did David do when he felt discouraged (Ps. 42:5)?

   

• Read Romans 12:2. What do you think “renewing your mind” includes?

   

• Look back at your answers for section A of this study. How does knowing who you are in Christ transform the way you think about those flaws or weaknesses you dislike?

   

3. Act consistently with your new identity.

The clear teaching of the New Testament is that we should act consistent with who we are in Christ. We don’t need to try in order to be.

Ask the Lord how you should act on your new identity. This includes two parts: saying no to sinful patterns, and choosing God’s best. For instance, someone tempted to gossip must both resist sharing hurtful facts about others and develop healthy interests to discuss. A stingy person must not only deny the fear that God won’t provide; she must also choose to give generously to others.

• Rephrase the instructions given in Romans 6:13.

   

• What was Paul’s two-part advice to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:22)?

   

• Think of a sin you regularly battle. What two separate actions should you take?

Closing: Don’t live as a spiritual pauper, trying to find your security and significance through people, accomplishments, or possessions. As a believer in Jesus, you are a child of the King of Kings. Learn to walk in the spiritual victory He provides.

Prayer: Lord, Your Word tells me I am a new creation in Christ, but sometimes I have difficulty living in light of that truth. Teach me how to recognize my false beliefs and replace them with Your perspective. Reveal to me the great security I have as Your child. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.