Week 1 – Discovering Who You Are
Leader Guide
We are all individuals. We come from different backgrounds, different triumphs, and different hurts. We have labels, or even self-perceptions, which we allow to define who we think we are. Are you ready to let God reveal His definition of your identity?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What is a one- or two-word description of who you used to be? How would you describe yourself now?
2. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-2, 5-13. What is the background for this passage? Why is Samuel going to anoint someone? Why was David last in line to be considered? How have you felt “less than” for a position, for love, or for worthiness? How does the Spirit of God change all that?
Leader’s Note: King Saul has sinned, and God has rejected him. He is sending Samuel, but Samuel starts with the eldest, the most mature, the one he assumes would make a good king. God sternly reminds Samuel that He knows the INSIDE, the heart of the person. David was the last to be brought forward because he was the youngest, maybe even the smallest. He was the dirty one out in the fields tending sheep. He was “ruddy” or dark faced from outside labor, not pale and “royal” looking, though he was handsome! We can feel unworthy of love or praise, unable to accomplish great things, and bound up by others (and our own) perceptions of what we lack, not what we have. But God not only sees the heart; He empowers those who love and follow Him!
3. Read Isaiah 43:18-19. What types of “former things” and failures can hold you captive? What “things of old”- good things and accomplishments – can cause the same paralysis? What new things is God doing in your life that you can see? What new way in the wilderness and spring in the desert are you asking God to bring about (either on your behalf or for someone else)?
Leader’s Note: It is funny, but both our failures and our accomplishments can hold us back from the new thing God wants to do in our lives. We can rehearse our failures: bankruptcy, divorce, addiction, loss of a friend, even small sins. This negative self-talk keeps us from seeing ourselves as God sees us. Or, like the high school football team who remember the glory days, and nothing has ever come close to that championship, we can long for the “good ole days” and miss the new things.
4. Read 2 Timothy 1:6-7. So often, we feel weak and insignificant. In this passage, what are several encouragements to faith and boldness you see? How can you use these spiritual practices to overcome your fear and step out in whatever way God is showing you. Can you share anything with your Life Group, having them gather around you and pray for you to be bold and accomplish all God has for you?
Leader’s Note: Paul is gently reminding Timothy to be bold, to deliberately “fan” or increase the gift of God he has. He had also prayed for Timothy to receive and know this gift of God by physically touching Timothy as he prayed, the “laying on of my hands.” Then he encourages Timothy that fear is not of God; power, love, and self-control IS of God. Other versions say power, love, and a sound mind or discipline. Leader, if people request prayer for specific needs or tasks at this point, STOP! Take time to circle up and pray for one another!
5. In “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” several characters leave their past lives behind and become valuable members of the Resistance. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. Notice that when you choose Christ, you are not only a new creation, but you have a new job. What is that job?
6. Action Step: Have a quiet time of prayer during your group meeting. Take time to remember your old life and thank God that you have a new life in Jesus, that you have been reconciled completely to Him. Then pray this prayer together or led by one person.
Pray: Lord God, thank You that I am not who I was. You have given me power to change; to be more than I could be on my own. Thank You for forgiving and forgetting my past failures. Help me to do the same. Spirit, fan into the flame the gift You have given me. Help me to be bold in the ministry of reaching others with Your love, grace, forgiveness, and power. Thank You, God, that who I am is someone fearfully, wonderfully made by You. Thank You, Father, that WHOSE I am is a child of the Most High God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. Read Proverbs 28:1. How does allowing God to use our weaknesses both put His power on display and show great boldness? What does this scripture teach us about being bold? What about a wicked person causes them to flee?
Leader's Note: Boldness is not hiding behind a fake version of ourselves; it is allowing the world to see who we really are and who we have been created to be. It is pursuing righteousness while embracing our flaws, failures, and shortcomings. It is trusting God and having faith despite of what the world thinks of us or our situation. A person who does not know God does not have this confidence that comes from a right relationship with Him.
8. Read Judges 6:12-13 and 25-26. How did Gideon respond to the angel? What was the first assignment God called Gideon to do?
Leader's Note: Up until now, all Gideon had was his father’s faith. Gideon challenged God, questioning His might, questioning if He was still with and for the Israelites. Yet God still spoke to him and used him. God called Gideon to pull down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah poles. The Asherah referred to a pagan goddess, and the sacred wooden poles were located at places where she was worshipped. God was coming to the rescue of His people, and the first step in rescue is turn from false truths and false gods. It took boldness to confront the gods of the region and his father’s house.
9. Read Judges 6:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:5, and John 14:12. God told Gideon, “Go in the strength you have.” Yet how did Gideon see himself? What is something you have faced that you didn’t understand? What did you sense God telling you to do? Did you obey? What will give you the sufficiency, power, and strength to accomplish it? Can you imagine doing the works that Jesus did, or an even greater thing?
Leader’s Note: God saw strength, greatness, and boldness in Gideon which he did not see in himself. In God, we have all the resources we need! Anyone who wants to be bold for Jesus must remember, claim, and memorize John 14:12. (PS: We can reach more people, spread the Gospel, or share via multimedia in more ways than Jesus, as just one Man, ministering only in the small land of Israel, could reach. He uses us today!)
10. Read Judges 6:17, 24, and Psalm 24:3-4. When it comes to obeying God and following His will, has God been patient with you? How can you combat that fear with faith and be bold?
Leader’s Note: Gideon is famous for asking for signs. This is just the first time he asked. He was timid. God is willing to reassure again and again when we are afraid. God was patient with Gideon and gave him multiple signs and assurances. He is also patient with us, even when we find it hard to trust Him. However, real power in the Christian life always comes after testing, not before; by doing, not seeing.
11. Read Judges 6:33-34 and Acts 1:8. How does Gideon’s story give hope to you in your weakness? What will you choose to do and be bold about it? How will this move you from fear to faith and ultimately, experiencing peace?
Leader’s Note: The Holy Spirit is working in you. This is the New Covenant, that God resides and lives with you, leading and empowering. God is more powerful than any force in all the universe. God is in us, and God is on our side. God has promised to empower us.
Additional Note: If you wish, finish the story of Gideon in Judges 7 and 8. Discuss how God used Gideon to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men, holding torches and trumpets (and no swords!). How he had victory and brought peace, but then failed and made a golden ephod which led Israel back into idolatry and became “a snare” to Gideon’s family and all the Hebrews. How he took many wives and concubines, and in the end, he did not pass down his faith to his family. Upon his death, “as soon as he died,” Israel turned from the One true God. Yet, Gideon is mentioned in the “hall of faith” chapter in Hebrews (Hebrews 11:32). Our past or future mistakes do not prevent us from being used by God.