Our Rescued Identity - The Warrior's Journey®

Our Rescued Identity

person thinking. Photo by Ben Sweet is licensed under CC By 2.0

What if you discovered that your identity is wrapped up in the wrong “daddy”; and it may cost you your life? There are certain changes you can make to adjust your course. Find out what it might mean for you to have God as your true “Daddy”.

Story:

Remember our movie clip (watch it again below if you need a refresher)? Coach Boone drew the line in the sand didn’t he? Gerry had a choice to make. Either he keeps his old daddy and not play football for T.C. Williams High School or he changes his daddy and plays. Fortunately for him, and the whole team, he made the right decision. What ends up happening is that they go to Gettysburg for a week of summer football camp, and in that time, Gerry really begins to understand what a shift in daddies means. There is a leadership crisis and eventually the whole team begins to pull together.

The ultimate result is that the newly constituted team of white and black players unifying around a purpose under the direction of a new daddy began winning game after game. Eventually they took it all; they won the Virginia state football championship! But this particular scene raises the question, “How do we switch daddies?” Gerry recognized that it was in his own best interest to swallow his pride and submit to his Coach’s authority. Maybe a similar situation exists for you. Maybe you have discovered the unsettling truth that Satan is your spiritual daddy. Or, like Gerry, perhaps you have become aware that there are some big changes you need to make. That will be the focus in this lesson.

Bible Intro:

Nicodemus, a religious leader highly regarded by his colleagues, cautiously approached Jesus after sundown. His secret visit to this controversial rabbi actually put him at great risk. Jesus’ teachings were causing no small raucous among the Pharisees and other religious leaders. To be seen with Jesus would be like fraternizing with the enemy. Despite the Pharisees’ best attempts to discredit this son of a lowly carpenter, Jesus popularity among the people only grew.

Consequently, even Nicodemus had to admit that Jesus was unique and had a way with turning people back to God in a way that neither he nor his religious leader friends could not. He had seen it first-hand while watching Jesus from a safe distance. It was like life flowed out of him. Nicodemus couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but whatever it was he was compelled to find out. That’s what drove him to venture out amid such danger. See if you can figure out what Nicodemus was searching for that he found in Jesus.

Scripture: John 3:1–21

Personal Questions:

  1. On a 3×5 card, or on a half sheet of paper from your journal, describe yourself using no more than 10 words. After you have done that, review your list. How do these descriptor words reveal your identity?
  2. Nicodemus was a man who had a lot going for him. By the world’s standards, he was educated, wealthy, and successful. In what ways are you able to relate to this first-century Pharisee? Based upon John 3:1–21, do you believe Nicodemus wrapped his identity around his worldly successes? Why or why not?
  3. It has already been mentioned that Nicodemus risked much by seeking a private audience with Jesus. What are some of the risks you might face if you align yourself with Jesus? Are those risks worth switching daddies? Why or why not?
  4. First, write down a list of the top ten most important things to you. These are things that are the absolute most important things to you. Don’t read on until you’ve done this step. Done? Okay, now, make a similar list for what you think are the top ten most important things for Jesus. What does this exercise reveal to you about following what Jesus taught and making God your daddy? How do your two lists compare?

Continue interacting with this topic here.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I believe your words to Nicodemus—that I have to be born again spiritually to see you in your kingdom. I know that salvation from sin can only come through a total rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Send that Spirit into my life. I am choosing this day to align myself with you. Give me the grace to represent you well to all who know me. Thank you! Amen.


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