Growing IN Him / One Identity
If God truly reigns in our hearts, it will show. If we are Kingdom-minded people, it will show. We see that pictured in what Jesus says at the Sermon on the Mount(often called The Beatitudes). How we should live flows from who He is and what He has done for us. Essentially, we wear His Brand.
We have to look long and hard at ourselves when we read the Beatitudes. If we are truly His, we will be more and more transformed by His Grace. This is another picture of our theme of ONE! We cannot live in this world and Glorify Him without being utterly dependent on everything He gives us…His strength, His power, His wisdom, His love, His kindness, His mercy, etc. He is the ONE who will sustain us.
Jesus wraps all these qualities in the calling to be salt and light in the world. We are to do as He did and shine His light in our world.
“The words of Jesus here are not just words; they are a manifesto of sorts for the Kingdom of God. These words do not tell us how to become a Christian, but speak of how we should then live because we as Christians have encountered the radical grace of God.” – Kristin Schmucker (The Sermon On The Mount – A Study on God’s Upside-Down Kingdom.
Mattew 5:1-14
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
His people have ONE identity because they we put on Christ!
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………– Colossians 3:12-17
How might the BLESSED of His Kingdom live as ONE BODY in Christ to the world?
What brand are you wearing?
As you read through Colossians 3 and Matthew 5-7, reflect on these questions:
* What does it mean to seek God in your life daily?
* How does the world see Jesus through us?
* What tempts us so that our light does not shine in this world?
* Where do you look for approval?
* How does a right view of God put things into perspective?
* Do the people around us see something different in us, know
. …that we are Christ-follower?
Workshop / Stations
Ask different ladies to create small workshops that your PWOC Body can attend throughout the PWOC general meeting times. The beatitudes, fruit of the Spirit, and spiritual gifts are all “marks” of the Father or His “branding” on His people.
Fruit Of The Spirit
How does the Body of Christ display themselves as His people?
(Galatians 5)
Those who belong to Christ reflect His…
- love
- joy
- peace
- patience
- kindness
- goodness
- faithfulness
- gentleness
- self-control
.
Spiritual Gifts
How does the Body of Christ build up and encourage each other?
(Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4)
Those who belong to Christ lead…
- in Serving
- in Teaching
- in Exhortation
- with Generosity
- with Zeal
- with Mercy and Cheerfulness
- in Helping
- in Administration
- in Shepherding
- in Evangelism.
.
.
Virtual Idea
1. Icebreaker Idea / Large Group – 30 min.
2. Workshop Groups – 30 Min.
Break into 3 groups for virtual discussion with the 3 workshop topics with the “Bee-attitudes”, Fruit of The Spirit, and Spiritual Gifts. A small group leader could lead a discussion in each group about how their reflection of Christ shows the world who He is is and how they draw the world to Himself.
Scripture in context for all of those “workshop topics can help show how growth in Christ manifests. We show His attributes as He changes us—> As we live in deeper faith, our lives are displayed in the world through The Fruit Of The Spirit —> We lead others and build them up in the Body with the Spiritual Gifts He gives us.
– You could even give them a 5 minute break to change clothes or change their hair as a visible representation that we are changed, made new, set apart, etc. as believers in this world.
3. Come back to the large group. – 20-30 Min.
Helpful Workshops on the Leadership Training Page
Dressed For Success – Julie McCammon
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Balance – Deb Easterling
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Conflict Resolution – Michelle Archer
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Living By The Spirit-Fitness – Morgan Cornstubble
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Effective Communication – Rose McConnell
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Extending Grace – Cinky Jones
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Forgiveness – Kathleen DeKrey
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Life On Mission – Julie McCammon
Leader Guide Participant Guide
The Bride Of Christ – Merrie Lynn Eaker
Leader Guide Participant Guide
Identity – Stefanie Cole
Leader Guide Participant Guide
For more workshops, check out our Training Workshop Page.
Helpful Articles
Helpful Videos
The Danger Of Pride – Reviveourhearts.com
Brokenness
Pride
Reflecting God’s Character
