Understanding Who You Are
I
All Weeks
Week I

Understanding Who You Are

God's Original Intent

Teaching Objectives

  • 1.Help students understand identity through God's Original Intent.
  • 2.Strengthen understanding of spiritual identity vs. worldly identity.
  • 3.Lead participants to see themselves the way God sees them.

Opening Questions

How do you currently define who you are?

What voices or influences have shaped your identity?

How do you believe God's perspective of you differs from your own?

Holy Spirit Moment

Lord, as I read Your Word may Holy Spirit give me understanding. Who does your Word say that I am? Who have you created me to be?

Teaching

The Manufacturer's Perspective

One of our generation's most prolific teachers of the gospel, the late Dr. Myles Munroe, once described the role of an inventor or manufacturer. He noted that before any manufacturer places its logo or seal of approval on a product, they ensure that the product is a direct representation of the company's goals, morals, and ideals. They know the product intimately—every part of it. You could even say that each company places a bit of itself into everything it creates. If you want to understand anything about a product, you must first recognize that no one knows more about it than the manufacturer. In Week One, we explore identity from God's perspective—His Original Intent. Before others labeled you, before life shaped you, God had already defined who you are. Identity is often shaped by experiences, environment, people, pain, victories, labels, and culture. But identity in the Kingdom begins with God alone.
Genesis 1:26-31 — NIV

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."

Discussion Questions

Known Before You Were Born

Did you know that God thought about you before you were born? He knows who He created you to be.
Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

  • Psalm 139:13-18 — God was very intentional and involved in your creation. He thinks of you often.
  • 1 Peter 2:9 — He chose you, for royalty — for the Kingdom!
  • Jeremiah 29:11 — He has a plan for you. Your future is in Him.
  • Numbers 13:30-33 — God wants you to see yourself how He sees you.
Discussion Questions

What Does God Think About You?

God sees us through His Son Jesus Christ! Christ's blood covers us with righteousness and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God has a different perspective.

You Are His...

His Handiwork (Psalm 139) · His Friend (James 2:23) · His Chosen One, Holy and Beloved (Colossians 3:12) · Dead to Sin (Romans 6:11) · Raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1) · A Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16) · A Living Stone, placed by a Master Builder (1 Peter 2:5) · A Part of His Flock (Psalm 95:7)

Renamed and Re-Identified

Throughout Scripture, God renames and re-identifies His people — Jacob became Israel (meaning 'God with us'), Saul became Paul (one of the most influential apostles), Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah. Identity is revealed through our relationship with Him.

  • John 3:16 — We are worthy to die for.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 — You are not your past sins or mistakes. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.
  • Ephesians 1:5 — We are sons and daughters! Worthy of an inheritance! Kingdom Citizens.
Discussion Questions

Closing Reflection

What truth about your identity stood out to you this week?

How does knowing God's intention for you shift how you see yourself?

What old labels or identities do you feel God is replacing?