Mistaken Identity

Rachel Gilson Rachel Gilson currently lives in the Boston metro area, working for Cru as campus staff and as the Director of Theological Development for the Northeast. Rachel is also pursuing a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Passage | Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Discussion Questions

Describe a situation when you put your hope in something or someone that failed you.
We all have a tendency to find our self-worth and value in things of this world. In what things have you seen yourself putting your identity in? Do you see yourself putting value in family/ relationships, social media, your academic performance career, etc? Why are we drawn toward putting our identity in these things?Healthy relationships are based off of Christ and the church. The things of the world will inevitably fail us but there is One who will never fail us and like Rachel reminded us, our identity is in this promise: we belong to Jesus.
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. List all that is true of us as children of God in this passage. (He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. He chose us. We are holy and blameless in Him. We are adopted as His children. Blessed with glorious grace. Redemption through blood. Forgiveness of sins. Made known to us the mystery of His will. Obtained an inheritance. Sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit).
Of all of these blessings, which means the most to you right now? What makes it significant to you? 5. What motivated God to give us these blessings? Did we have to do anything?
Knowing that these blessings are not dependent on what we do, how might this change the way you think about yourself and walk through life each day?
Think back to how you answered the question about where you find your self-worth. What lies do you tend to believe about your identity and value? What truths can help you combat these lies? As Rachel said, “we need the Spirit to make His promises real to us.”
Pray together that God would reveal His promises to you and remind you of the truth that our identity is in Christ.