Hosts
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more icebreaker questions to open up with.
- If your house burnt down, what three objects would you choose to save?
- If you could ask God one question right now, what would it be?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
The "I AM" series is about helping you to develop your internal identity. It's about getting and keeping the right "I AM" in your heart and soul.
There are so many wrong "I AM" concepts in society. Here are some of the ways we adopt some of these ideas.
- How our parents treat us or talk to us.
- Rejection we feel from other kids when growing up.
- A mistake or bad season of our life.
Some people have adapted to their surroundings and have no idea of the potential God put within them. But don't let what others are or what your surroundings have been to determine who you are. You are born of God. Your are from above. You have heaven's DNA in you.
Psalm 139:13,14 (NIV)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Point 1: The wrong "I am" will shame you, pull you down, hold you back, and hinder your from experiencing God's best for your life. But the right "I am" will set you free, life you up, and cause you to live at the highest level of your God-given potential.
Example: God told several people in scripture that they would no longer be called by their given name, but by a new name that he was giving them. In each of those situations he wanted them to call themselves something different than they had called themselves in the past.
Abram to Abraham
Jacob to Israel
Sarai to Sarah
Simon to Peter
Point 2: The right "I am" validates the value God places on me.
With 7 billion people on the planet, it is easy to slip into the wrong "I am" that tells you that your are just another face in the crowd. However, there are billions of diamonds in the world, but because of how they are made they each stand out and are each valuable. There may be 7 billion people in the world but there is only one you.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Point 3: I am God's masterpiece - a very valuable person.
Definition of a masterpiece: a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
I do not know a lot about works of art, but one thing I have come to realize is that a painting can look ordinary to the average eye, but it can be extremely valuable if it has the right name on it.
You are a divine design. Your are made by God, in the image of God. You may seem ordinary to others, but you are a one of a kind creation, and like that piece of art with a good name on it, you are a masterpiece with God's name on it.
Your clothes might have a tag saying, "made in China," or "made in Italy," but if you had a tag it would say "made in Heaven."
Message Discussion Questions
Read the following guidelines before starting your group discussion.
- Answer the question specifically. Avoid tangents and try to stay on target.
- Limit your responses to 1–2 minutes per question.
- Use I, me, or we statements. This is a time for personal reflection, not a time to fix others.
- Each person is free to share without interruptions when sharing within the suggested guidelines.
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.
- How did you obtain some of your negative "I am" identities? (Other kids growing up, family, etc)
- Do you think that keeping the right internal identity is important for your daily life?
- We often walk around unaware of our God-given potential. What is your God-given potential that you do not always remember?
- What are some practical ways that you can help yourself to internalize your positive "I am" statements?
- Is it hard for you to accept the statement that we are "made in God's image?" Why or why not?
- Do you struggle more with the thought, "I am not good enough," or "they do not think that I am good enough?"
- How can you play an important role in someone else's "I am" statement?
Live It Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step, and live it out this week.
- Write a few sticky notes that have your positive "I am" statements on them and put them on your bathroom mirror so that every morning you will see them.
- Make a point to validate someone else every day with positive "you are" statements.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources always available here: Small Group Resources
