Week 4
FOCUS QUESTION:
Who does God say I am?
“We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” (Tim Keller)
TALK
- Discuss the focus question and the quotes 💬
TEACH
Together, talk through how the Gospel affects each of us. Remember your disciple should have prepared thoughts / questions.
1. We were made in the image of God Himself (Genesis 1:26-28)
- What does it mean to be in His image? How does this affect your view of yourself?
2. But we have chosen sin and betrayed God (Romans 3:10-12)
- Do you know what it means to sin? Do you believe you have done wrong before? Do you ever feel guilty, or shameful, or powerless? Why do you sin? What is it about sin that makes us want to do it?
3. And yet now, if we believe, we are redeemed (Romans 3:23-24)
- What does it mean to be justified? What is it you use to try and justify your importance? What is it that makes you feel good enough? What happens when you no longer have that?
- Are there parts of your life that feel unredeemable? Do you believe you can be redeemed?
TASK
Read the list below showing lies we believe about ourselves. Walk through a self-assessment of how we try and prove to ourselves that we are enough.
✏️ Write down the main bullet-points that speak to each of you and discuss.
What we think:
- I cannot be loved by God
- I don’t need God
- I cannot escape my addiction
- I’ve done too many bad things
- I get anxious thinking about the future
- I feel shame in the present
- I feel guilt about the past
- I fear being with people
- I am not good at being teachable
- I have trouble clearing my mind of relationships
- I have trouble clearing my mind of achievements
- I need my way to be right
- I always want to be the best
- I usually fear speaking up
- I think confrontation will make others dislike me
- I complain and think others have it better than me
- I am owed and cannot forgive
- I need to be better
- I often feel judged
- I am alone and no one understands
- I am unwanted
✏️ Read through the next list, and again write down the main bullet-points that speak to each of you and discuss. This time, think about which statements are the hardest for you to believe and why.
What He says
- God says He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you
- God says that He is life, and apart from His is death
- God says in Him all things are possible
- God says anyone who believes can be with Him
- God says you can find rest in Him alone
- God says there is no condemnation in Him
- God says He has made you a new creation!
- God says only the humble will see Him
- God says He is worth more than all others combined
- God says you can never do enough to satisfy yourself
- God says I AM the Way
- God says the proud will always fall
- God says the first shall be last
- God says you have been given a spirit of boldness
- God says do not fear people, fear God
- God says do not complain, but reside in gratitude
- God says He has been better for you
- God says He alone is the Judge
- God says He alone understands you
- God says He made you, and He is your Father who loves you
🙏 Try praying through the truth about yourselves, asking God for help believing what is true about Him and about you.
HOMEWORK
Scripture passages (Daily Verses)
- Romans 8:1 — I am not condemned.
- Galatians 4:7 — I am not a slave.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — I am a new creation.
- John 1:12 — I am a child of God.
- Psalm 139:14 — I am wonderfully created.
- Ephesians 2:10 — I am God’s masterpiece.
- Isaiah 43:1 — I am His.