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  • Secure in Who God Says You Are

    Secure in Who God Says You Are
    Jan 11 2026
    This teaching focuses on our identity in Christ and what it means to be secure in who God says we are. When we live from God’s truth instead of past mistakes or false labels, we find confidence, peace, and belonging in Christ. Video https://youtu.be/VD1eFpIkRsE Audio Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Table of contentsDownload the NotesIntroductionScripture ReadingEphesians 1:3-7God Chose Us and Gave Us Identity in ChristGod Redeemed Us and Removed Our Old LabelsGrowing Through CommunityGod Adopted Us Into His Family and Gave Us BelongingConclusionThis WeekLooking AheadFor Leaders and Small GroupsMain TruthKey ScriptureDiscussion QuestionsSuggested Practice Download the Notes 2026-01-11 - Secure in Who God Says You Are Notes 2026-01-11 - Secure in Who God Says You Are Notes Introduction Today we are continuing our series, Firmly Rooted: Living from Identity in Christ. Last week we talked about being firmly rooted in Christ, and how deep spiritual roots give us strength, stability, and gratitude in every season of life. This week we are talking about something closely connected to that foundation. We are talking about identity. All around the world, people struggle with identity. Some people define themselves by success or failure. Some define themselves by their past, their struggles, their culture, or the expectations of others. Many people spend years trying to prove who they are, or trying to become someone they believe they must be in order to be accepted. But God does not begin with labels. God begins with truth. God begins with identity. Our faith does not only tell us what to believe. Our faith also tells us who we are. And when we understand who we are in Christ, we begin to live with confidence, peace, and security. Scripture Reading Let us read from Ephesians chapter 1:3-7. Ephesians 1:3-7 (3) 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. (4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace These verses give us a powerful picture of who we are in Christ. God Chose Us and Gave Us Identity in Christ Paul tells us that God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world. This means our identity does not begin with our performance, our achievements, or our failures. Our identity begins with God. Before we were born, God already knew us. God already loved us. God already had a purpose for our lives. Our worth does not come from what we do. Our worth comes from who we belong to. Think about a child in a family. A child does not earn their place every day. They belong because they are part of the family. In the same way, God does not ask us to earn His acceptance. He invites us to live from the identity He has already given us in Christ. Take a moment and reflect on this.What have you allowed to define your identity? Your past? Your reputation? Your mistakes? Your achievements? The opinions of others? God says, “Your identity begins in Me.” God Redeemed Us and Removed Our Old Labels Paul also says that in Christ we have redemption and forgiveness through His blood. This means our old labels no longer define us. The world may have called us broken, unworthy, weak, or unacceptable. Our past may have declared us guilty or ashamed. But in Christ, those labels are not our identity. God does not define us by our worst moments. God defines us by His grace. In Christ, we are forgiven. We are redeemed. We are restored. Many people carry invisible burdens, like a heavy backpack filled with words such as “failure,” “not good enough,” or “unlovable.” But when we come to Christ, He lifts those burdens. Our identity is no longer shaped by shame. Our identity is shaped by grace. Take a moment and ask yourself:What false labels have I been carrying?Which voices have shaped how I see myself? Bring those to God and allow His truth to replace those lies. Growing Through Community If you feel comfortable, we invite you to share a truth from Scripture that strengthens your identity in Christ in the comments below. Your story may encourage someone else in our global church family. God Adopted Us Into His Family and Gave Us Belonging Paul says that God adopted us as His children through Jesus Christ. Adoption means we are not outsiders. We are not distant observers of God’s kingdom. We are welcomed into God’s family. We belong. We do not live for acceptance. We live from acceptance. We do not live in fear of rejection. We live in the assurance of God’s love. Adoption means we are wanted, we are valued, and we are ...
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    10 Min.
  • Firmly Rooted in Christ

    Firmly Rooted in Christ
    Jan 4 2026
    This teaching explores what it means to build a strong spiritual foundation by being firmly rooted in Christ. When our lives grow from our identity in Christ, we find strength, stability, and gratitude in every season of life. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Table of contentsDownloads, Video, and AudioIntroductionGrowing TogetherScripture ReadingColossians 2:6-7Christ Is the Foundation of Our LifeDeep Roots Produce a Strong LifeGrowing Through CommunityGratitude Is Evidence of Healthy RootsConclusionThis WeekLooking AheadFor Leaders and Small Groups Downloads, Video, and Audio 2026-01-04 - Firmly Rooted in Christ Notes 2026-01-04 - Firmly Rooted in Christ Notes Video https://youtu.be/-eTHgS-An_g Audio Introduction Today we are beginning a new year together. Around the world, people start a new year thinking about change. They think about goals, habits, and improvement. Many people ask what they should do differently this year. But before God ever talks about what we should do, He talks about who we are. And before He talks about growth, He talks about where we are rooted. A tree does not grow strong because of what we see above the ground. It grows strong because of what is hidden below the ground. If the roots are weak, the tree will fall. If the roots are deep, the tree will stand. The same is true in the Christian life. A strong faith does not begin with activity. A strong faith begins with a strong foundation. That is why we are starting this year by talking about being firmly rooted in Christ. Growing Together If these teachings help you grow in your faith, we invite you to stay connected with us. You are welcome to follow along each week as we continue learning and growing together as a global church family. Scripture Reading Let us read together from Colossians 2:6-7: Colossians 2:6-7 (6) Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, (7) rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. These verses give us a clear picture of what a healthy Christian life looks like. Christ Is the Foundation of Our Life The Apostle Paul begins by reminding believers how they started their faith. He says that just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord, we must continue to live our lives in Him. We receive Christ by faith. But we must also continue in Christ by faith. Jesus is not only the beginning of our faith. He is the center of our faith. He is the foundation of our life. Many people treat Jesus like a doorway. They step through the door and then try to live life on their own. But Scripture teaches something different. Jesus is not only the door. He is the foundation that holds everything together. When Christ is the foundation, our faith becomes stable. Our hope becomes secure. Our direction becomes clear. When Christ is not the foundation, life becomes unstable. Fear increases. Confusion grows. Faith becomes weak. Faith is not something we visit once a week. Faith is something we live in every day. Take a moment to reflect honestly. What is your life truly built on right now? Is it built on Christ, or is it built on comfort, success, security, or approval? Only Christ can hold the weight of your life. Deep Roots Produce a Strong Life Paul continues by saying that believers are to be rooted and built up in Christ. Roots always grow before fruit appears. No plant grows strong overnight. In the same way, spiritual strength develops over time through deep roots in Christ. Many people want visible growth without hidden depth. They want results without relationship. They want fruit without roots. But shallow roots lead to weak faith. When trouble comes, shallow roots are exposed. When pressure increases, shallow roots fail. Deep roots, however, hold firm. A believer with deep roots stands during hardship. A believer with deep roots trusts God during uncertainty. A believer with deep roots remains faithful during difficulty. Deep roots grow through simple, daily faithfulness. They grow through prayer. They grow through Scripture. They grow through obedience. They grow through connection with the church family. None of these practices are complicated. But they must be consistent. Spiritual strength is not built in one moment. It is built in daily moments of faithfulness. Ask yourself honestly whether you are allowing your roots to grow deep in Christ, or whether you are only focused on what people can see. Growing Through Community We encourage you to reflect on this and, if possible, share with others what helps you grow deeper roots in Christ. Our global church grows stronger when we learn from one another. Gratitude Is Evidence of Healthy Roots Paul ends this passage by saying believers should be overflowing with thankfulness. Gratitude is not just a feeling. It is a spiritual indicator. A thankful heart shows where trust is placed. When gratitude flows easily, it shows confidence in God. When gratitude disappears, it ...
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    8 Min.