Embracing Your Identity

“The Resolution”

Session 2 – Embracing Your Identity

Q:  How did this week’s reading inspire you to take a stand for godly manhood or womanhood?

Q:  Who mows the lawn at your house? Takes out the trash? Does the laundry?

We are wired to accept responsibility. Embracing responsibility is part of who we are. As men, God wants to empower us to lead our families. We must get busy cultivating and protecting everything within our jurisdiction.

Our chances for success are about as good as succeeding as a courageous parent/grandparent without the Spirit of God empowering you. The task of being a courageous parent is even more daunting than the mission of an unarmed police officer that we just talked about.

In John 15:5, Jesus stated, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”

For many parents, their results have nothing to do with their intention and everything to do with their redemption.

Q:  On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 representing deadbeat parent and 10 representing Super Parent), how would you rate yourself in your parenting over the past year?

You may spend the next 10 years trying to move up a couple of numbers, but unless you have experienced a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and have His Holy Spirit guiding you, then your efforts will be in vain. Your family is at stake, and you can’t get right with them until you get right with Him.

The path to heaven is not built by consensus. It has not and will never be put to a popularity vote. Someone gets to heaven only by the way that the Maker of heaven provides. It would be a disservice not to stop and state the obvious: It is impossible to be all that God wants you to be on your own. You need Someone to step in and do the work of grace for you.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
                           Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

Q:  What phrases did Paul use to describe salvation in Ephesians 2:8-9?

In verses 8-9, Paul states that good works cannot save us. However, in verse 10, he says we are to have good works.

We are not saved by good works, but good works will show up after we are saved. If good works don’t’ save us, how is someone saved? We are saved by faith, which gives us a new identity and perspective in Christ. Salvation is an undeserved free gift of grace to demonstrate God’s kindness toward us.

God was convicting David about his past failures as a dad and his need for Him, and Nathan listened and responded sensitively. Nathan did not stop to make a formal presentation but shared his faith with someone he knew and cared about. He didn’t judge David, but highlighted on God’s justice and holiness. He shared what happened to him- he was a new man in Christ- and how a person can be saved. Correcting a common misunderstanding of salvation by good works. Nathan gave David an example he could understand. Asking whether David understood what he had shared, Nathan called for a decision.

Nathan was living out his faith and sharing it with others. He was ready.

Q:  Did this clip make you think of a friend or acquaintance who might need to know the gospel? How could you share that message with them as Nathan did?

Your Testimony

While people may resort to arguments concerning Christianity, no one can argue with true results and personal experience. The best witnessing technique is to share your testimony, or your own faith story.

Paul shared his testimony three different times in the Book of Acts. (see chapters 22;24;26). In each occasion, he shared three key elements:

   1 – His life before Christ
   2 – His conversion experience
   3 – His life after Christ, how he had changed

To better grasp our own conversion and improve our abilities to share our testimony, we need to practice.

So many people secretly doubt whether they truly know Christ and will go to heaven when they die. This is too important for us to not be absolutely sure. If you are not confident in your salvation, then use today’s lesson for assurance.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves.”

                         2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)

Let today be the day that you truly turn from your sins and cry out to God for forgiveness of your sins and for His free gift of eternal life. If you are a believer, take time to stand amazed at the power of the gospel and commit to sharpen your skills in sharing His message with others who need to know Him personally.

^“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

                         Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT)

In some of Jesus’ words to His disciples before he was crucified, Jesus taught them what it means to abide in Him.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
                         John 15:4-5 (NLT)

Abiding in Christ means staying in close fellowship with Him, confessing our sins, seeking Him in His Word, and walking in love and obedience. We must be constantly connected to Christ in order to succeed at anything. Apart from the Source of our salvation, we are unable to do anything. With Him and His power, all things are possible.

Personal Growth This Week:

COMMIT TO MEMORY:

“Look how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children.”
                  1 John 3:1 (NLT)

READING:
   Men:       “A Lifelong Vision of Fatherhood” (pp. 25-37)
                  “Resolve to Lead Your Family” (pp. 71-85)

  Women:  “Divine Appointments” (pp. 68-74)
                  “I’d Like A Word With You” (pp. 79-85)