Sermon Notes:
1. One of the benefits of spending time alone with Jesus is that you will find perspective of who you are.
In Jesus:
2. We have been given every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)
3. We are holy and blameless. (Ephesians 1:4)
4. We are adopted children of God. (Ephesians 1:5)
5. We are redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
6. We are given heavenly understanding (Ephesians 1:9-10)
7. We are heirs to the kingdom. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
8. Knowing who you are will help you to stay in balance for life.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Ephesians 1:1-23.
2. As you look around, what do you see most people put their identity in today?
3. How important do you think “identity” is to a person’s life? Why?
4. What do you think a person’s “perceived Identity” provides for them?
5. According to Ephesians 1:1-14, what does God say is your true identity?
6. Which of these things is the hardest for you to understand or apply to your life? Why do you think that is?
7. Read Ephesians 1:17-18. What is it that Paul prays for in these passages? When were you first “enlightened” to your true identity in Christ? How did this happen and how did it change, or is changing, the way you think and live?
8. When you reflect on Ephesians 1, what does it tell you about the heart of God?
Prayer:
Pray to the Lord and ask Him if you are out-of-balance in your life and if so to show you in what ways.
Taking it home:
Practice Jesus’ solution of finding balance in your life this week by taking a pause on life (turn off the world), go with Jesus to a quiet place, and rest. In your time alone with God, read Ephesians 1:1-14 aloud in different translations. Make a list from these verses that describe who you are in Jesus. Spend some time meditating on these verses and pray for God to help you see yourself the way He does.