Week 4 : “How Do You Come To Grips With The Real You?” Three Of Life’s Most Important Questions. Who Am I? IDENTITY Where Do I Belong? SECURITY Why Am I Here? SIGNIFICANCE Three Barriers To Discovering The Real You Fear Rooted In SHAME “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden…” Genesis 3:9-10 Hiding Rooted In INSECURITY “And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10 Blame Rooted In DENIAL “The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12

“Our Lord does not want his servants to despair, our falling does

not hinder him in loving us” ~ Julian Of Norwich~

Renewing Your Mind THE COMMAND - TO THINK ACCURATELY ABOUT YOURSELF “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

THE REASON - YOU HAVE A ROLE TO FULFILL “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12: 4-5

THE PRACTICE – TO DISCOVER AND DEPLOY YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8

Who You Really Are. God Uniquely Created You. You Are Eternally VALUED God placed You In His Family. You Are Unconditionally ACCEPTED God Gifted You To Fulfill His Purpose. You Are Irreplaceably SIGNIFICANT

“The reason that we never enter into the deepest reality of our relationship with

God is because we seldom acknowledge our utter nothingness before him” ~Thomas Merton~

Life Group Discussion Questions Want to join a group contact Pastor frank@waipunachapel.com • On a scale of 1-5, how accurately do you tend to think of yourself? Why? Why not?

• On a scale of 1-5, how relationally connected are you to fellow believers? Why? Why not?

• In what ways do the three barriers to the real you; fear, insecurity and blaming, play out

in your relationships?

• Read Ephesians 1:3-11 What is you understanding of your position in Christ?

• Do you think it is important to appropriate what you already possess (faith) versus trying hard to live up to God’s standard.

• List your top three strengths and your top three weaknesses. Which is easier for you to acknowledge? Why?

• What do you love to do among God’s people and see it used to help and encourage others?

• What is the value of discovering and deploying your primary spiritual gift?

• What “next step” do you sense God wants you to take to develop a more sober self-assessment? Share this with your group and ask them to hold you accountable.

Action: * Take off your mask with one trusted friend this week and talk about what God has been showing you about your identity, insecurities and fears. * Write a short note to someone whose strength has been God’s love expression to some need in your life. Thank them for using their strength to make Christ known to you Source: Chip Ingram “True Spirituality- Becoming A R12 Christian” - Simon & Schuster Brennan Manning “Abba’s Child” - Think Books - Division of Nav Press

Send feedback to shaun@waipunachapel.com