Big Idea

I am loved and valued for who I am, not for what I do.

Scripture

Luke 3:21 – 4:1-4

Opening Questions

1. How have you been able to B.L.E.S.S. someone recently?
2. Think of someone you admire; what about them do you find admirable?
3. This series is about realizing our identity is grounded in being a child of God and the mission and calling that results from that realization. If our sense of self-understanding doesn’t flow from what God says about us, then we are may believe we are only as good as our most recent performance. Why do you think this is a tendency for people today?

Bible Discussion

4. Read Luke 3:21 – 4:4. God’s declaration of his relationship to Jesus comes prior to any performance of Jesus in his ministry. How might that inform the way we think about our own accomplishments and failures as well as the performance of others?
5. The wilderness temptation story of Jesus echoes the wilderness wandering stories of Israel in the Old Testament. Jesus doesn’t give into temptation as the Israelite nation had. Jesus overcomes his temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Man does not live by bread alone. What do you think he meant by that?

Life Application

6. The church father, Augustine, wrote in Confessions in 400 A.D.: “How can you draw close to God when you are far from your own self?” He prayed: “Grant, Lord, that I may know myself that I might know you.” What various identities do you have? Which do you find yourself valuing the most?
7. Can you name a time when you have been tempted to believe the lie of performance – that God or others are not happy with you unless can turn stones into bread?
8. How might knowing yourself help you better know God and not give into the performance lie?
9. Listen to the Brennan Manning audio clip from service. Is there anything from this short talk that resonates with you? What is one takeaway for you?