Part 2

Your Identity determines WHO you are, how you SEE yourself, and how you ACT in the world. It has been an ongoing process that has shaped you into who you are today.

Connect group:
● Choose ONE NIGHT a week to hold your connect group.
● Ask each member of your connect group to bring their Bible.
● If you want, you can also take communion together.

WELCOME

Ice breaker:
Choose one of the following topics and talk about it:
a) If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Share this word with the group.

b) Why do the hurtful words people say about you hurt so much more than any physical abuse that can be done to you?

Prayer: Open with prayer.

WORD

Read:

Our Core Text for Today:

Matt 4:3
Then the TEMPTER (accuser) came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God (identity), command these stones to become bread.”

Matt 4:4
But He answered, “It is WRITTEN, ‘Man (identity) shall not live by bread alone (human need), but by every WORD that proceeds from the MOUTH of God.’”

Heb 4:12 (53)
For the word of God is LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of SOUL and SPIRIT, and … and is a discerner of the … thoughts of the heart (your identity).

Talk in your Connect Group about the following:

Words are very important to God. God created heaven and earth by speaking a word. God formed man with His own hands, and He gave man a name. He calls him ADAM. God breathed His Spirit into man and calls man a “living spirit”.

The devil knows that words are powerful. That’s why words are important to him as well. God speaks upbuilding, formative words, but the enemy uses destructive words. He also allows others to say these words over you. The saddest thing is that we often speak destructive words over ourselves.

Words give life. Upbuilding, formative words over time give you your Identity. Who you are and how you see yourself manifests from the words you and others speak over you. That is why it is so important to constantly listen to God’s words. It is vital to listen to God’s words about you. These words are upbuilding, formative words that give you life.

Reread today’s texts and talk about them:

• Why is your Identity tied to words? • How can you find a healthy Identity?

WORSHIP

Make time to worship God today. Use the playlist on our Word and Life website under Connect Groups. Or bring your own worship songs.

WORKS

Now enjoy Communion together as a Connect Group:

Love for God, Love for People

Now, as a Connection Group, spend just 5 minutes in silence, and each member answers the questions below.

Create a peaceful atmosphere and allow the Lord to speak to each one individually.

• Ask the Lord to show you who needs upbuilding, forming words this week.
• 2. Ask the Lord to give you uplifting words that bless you. Speak these words over your life every day.