DEV 11FN Identity and Freedom in Christ/pl

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=Session 11: Identity and Freedom in Christ=

In this session, you will discover what the Bible has to say about our new identity in Christ and take steps to live in response to these truths.

Heart of a Leader (40 min)

 * Worship together in the big group
 * Have participants get into groups of 3-4 people and discuss the following:
 * What are you learning and how are you abiding in Christ through word, prayer, obedience, PCS, relationships and fellowship?
 * What areas of your life is obeying God a challenge?
 * What unresolved conflict do you have?
 * What happened as you trusted God with your goals from our last meeting?

Vision Casting for the Heart
'Jesus modelled a deep heart passion for the Father exalting Him at every opportunity. Jesus loved being alone with the Father. He desired to hear His voice, know His heart and get direction. He went to great lengths and developed personal disciplines to ensure he nurtured this priority. In Mark 1:35 (Read) after an exhausting demanding day of ministry which stretched late into the night Jesus awaoke well before dawn, going off some distance to a solitary place where he knew he wouldn’t be disturbed, to pray. It was a core priority and required sacrifice and discipline. He modeled a life of dependence and having a close connection to the Father. How about you? Are you following the model of Jesus and spending time with the Father? This is such an important discipline for growing as a disciple and a leader. Pausing our life, sharing our hearts and listening to Him keeps our hearts softened and sensitive. We need to keep encouraging one another to pursue time with the Lord. Read 119:1-11. '

Celebration of Faithfulness (20 min)
[NOTE: Celebrate Faithfulness in the large group so that all can benefit and be encouraged.]


 * Give opportunity for participants to share what has happened since the last meeting. Ask them to relate it to goals from the last meeting.

Iron on Iron: Sharpening Myself and Others (45 min)
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.”  
 * Have everyone return to their Iron on Iron small groups, draw their network of missional communities and churches then share and evaluate with their group.
 * What is going well?
 * What is not going well? What obstacles are you facing?
 * What are possible solutions from the other group members?
 * What do you need to do to add the missing characteristics into each group?
 * Where will you start a new group or church this month?
 * Have everyone set goals for improvement from their evaluation and share their goals with their small group. Then have them pray for one another.

New Lesson (45-60 min)
Relevant Topic: Why is it important and helpful for us to know about our identity in Christ?


 * Have participants get into new groups of 4-5 people (or they can continue in their Iron on Iron groups)
 * In the following sections, each group assign verses to each participant. Each participant will then read the passages below and tell what they learned to the group.

Discovery Bible Study - Identity

'Introduction: How do you think of yourself? According to your family background? Your social status? Your work? Your education? Your accomplishments? Or maybe you think of yourself based on what others think about you. But are any of those things really you? Read and discuss the verses: '

Thought Life: Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24


 * What did you like best? Why?

'Summary: Sometimes the internal conversation in our minds emphasizes those things that are negative about us instead of our accomplishments. Especially if those close to us have spoken harshly to us, or made us feel we are not valued or loved, we can begin to think that we are worthless or insignificant. We also can become susceptible to the lies of the evil one. He will constantly accuse us. '

'But when Jesus saves us, He does it because of His unmerited favor for all who truly place their faith in Him for their salvation. When we are saved, the scripture says we are new creations (2 Cor 5:16-17) and we have a new identity in Christ. Intentionally renewing our thought patterns will help us discern God’s will and enjoy a fruitful life. '

'In the next few moments, we want to examine some important passages to remind us what Christ did for us and who we are in Christ. '

Section 1: I AM SIGNIFICANT


 * After they have all shared their assigned verses, have each person in the groups share: What did you like best? Why?

Section 2: I AM ACCEPTED


 * After they have all shared their assigned verses, have each person in the groups share: What did you like best? Why?

Section 3: I AM SECURE


 * After they have all shared their assigned verses, have each person in the groups share: What did you like best? Why?

'Summary: What we believe affects how we live. The reality is that we are new creations in Christ and the rest of life is learning to live out what is true about us. Satan can successfully attack us when we do not fully trust what God says about us in Scripture. Who we are in Christ – not what people say about us, not what we have done, nor what we will do – is how God sees us and our real identity.'

Prepare for Mission (20 mins)
REJECTING THE OLD MAN


 * Give some time for each participant to write down things that they are still in bondage to or still practicing from their old life. Categories to consider:
 * Relationships with parents
 * Fear of evil spirits
 * Traditions of culture or previous religion
 * Unforgiveness toward others
 * In groups of 2-3, have them share their action point and pray for one another to be set free to embrace these truths

EMBRACING THE NEW MAN


 * Give some time for each participant to write down which truth is hardest for them to accept. Have them identify an attitude, action or belief that they need to change.
 * In groups of 2-3, have them share their action point and pray for one another to be set free to embrace these truths.

When finished


 * Write “I will by when” statements. Include “Who will you teach this lesson to?”
 * Practice any additional skill that the leaders need in leading their groups or starting new ones

Sending the Laborers

 * Reinforce the overall vision: a church or faith community for every 1,000 people
 * Spend time in Prayer:
 * committing the goals that were set to the Lord
 * for God to raise up a movement of churches
 * for more laborers to come out of the harvest

WHO I AM IN CHRIST (Adapted from http://ficm.org/about-us/#!/who-i-am-in-christ)