Introduction:

As you get started, share vision for growing in in a lifestyle of holiness and love and what you are excited about as you go through Look In together.

Biblical Foundations:

The moment you placed your faith in Christ, you became a child of God.

John 1.12-13 But to all who did __________ him, who __________ in his name, he gave the right to become ___________________, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Galatians 4:6-7 "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a _________, but God's _________; and since you are his child, God has made you also an _________."

When we put our faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family. As a loving Father, God then works in our lives by His Spirit to grow us into maturity in Christ, and He calls us to actively participate in this process. This growth is called sanctification.

1 John 3.1-3 See how great a _________ the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called ___________; and such we ______. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are ____________, and it has not appeared as yet what we __________. We know that when He appears, we will be __________, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him __________ himself, just as He is pure.

Titus 2.11-14 For the _____________ has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to __________________________, and to live ______________________________ lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to __________________ from all _________________ and _________________ for himself a people that are his very own, _________________ what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5.23-24 Now may the God of peace himself __________ you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept _____________ at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is _________; he will surely do it.

Questions for Discussion: How does understanding your adoption as God's child change how you view yourself ?What does it mean to you that God is committed to transforming you into Jesus' likeness?

Modeling:

For the Leader: Share your own experience with understanding your identity in Christ as God's child and your ongoing process of transformation. Describe how these truths have impacted your daily life, your perspective on challenges, and your relationship with God.

Practice:

We want to put the truth of our new identity and God's sanctifying work into daily practice. This week take daily time to meditate on the truths of your new identity and nature in Christ:

10 Biblical Truths About Your Identity in Christ

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Declaration: In Christ, I am not merely an improved version of my old self, but I am a new creation.

2. Romans 8:1-2 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

Declaration: In Christ, I am free from condemnation. God's verdict over me is "not guilty" because of Jesus' sacrifice on my behalf.

3. Ephesians 1:3-4 "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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

Declaration: In Christ, I have been chosen by God and blessed with every spiritual blessing. He is at work in me to be holy and blameless in his sight. 

4. Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Declaration: In Christ, my old self has been crucified, and now Christ himself lives in me. My new life is lived by faith in His love and sacrifice.

5. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Declaration:  In Christ, I am God's handiwork, created with purpose for the good works He has planned for me.

6. 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Declaration: In Christ, I am part of a chosen people, with royal and priestly status, God's special possession to declare His praises. 

7. Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Declaration:  In Christ, I am a child of God and a co-heir with Christ, with all the privileges and responsibilities that come with this family status.

8. Colossians 3:3-4 "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Declaration: In Christ, my true life is hidden and secure in God. My identity is so connected to Christ that He is now my very life.

9. 1 John 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

Declaration:  In Christ, I am a recipient of God's lavish love. My identity as God's child is not just a title but a reality that I live in and from.

10. Philippians 3:20-21 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Declaration: In Christ, my primary citizenship is in heaven. I live now in light of my eternal identity, awaiting the complete transformation that Christ will bring.