Identity: Part 6 - Identity Transformation

February 9th, 2025

MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
February 09, 2025

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

I said this, you heard that, February 26th
If you've ever said the wrong thing (or said the right thing the wrong way), you know how quickly your mouth can make a big mess. But it doesn't have to be that way. This 6-session study explores how your wiring affects what you say, how you listen, and how others hear you. And you'll see how advice from the apostle Paul thousands of years ago may have held the secret all along. This class will start on Wednesday night February 26th. The cost is $25 and that covers your book. To register or get more information simply write class on your connection card.

RightNow Media
If you have ever wanted to grow in your walk with Jesus but weren’t sure where to start then we have a great resource for you. RightNow Media has over 25,000 biblically-based videos for small groups, families, students, leadership development, and much more. Our subscription allows us to share this resource with you free of charge. You can download the app on Roku and Apple TV as well as access their website at rightnowmedia.com. To sign up simply write “RightNow Media'' as well as your email address on your connection card and we will send you a link.

Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected with our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.

Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.

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GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
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Bottom Line: Supernatural identity is unavoidable after a supernatural encounter.

Acts of the Apostles 22:1-5 NLT

“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.

1. Before a supernatural encounter I only know false identity.

Acts of the Apostles 22:6-12 NLT

"As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’“ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting. ’The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.

2. Supernatural encounter is all about Jesus.

Acts of the Apostles 22:13-16 NLT

He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!“Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’

3. After a supernatural encounter my true identity and purpose is known.

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START TALKING

When have you met someone for the first time or experienced something that forever changed your story to "before ______" and then "after ______"?

START THINKING

Read Acts 22:1-5.
What does Paul say about his false identity that he believed and followed before his supernatural encounter?

START SHARING

How do you relate to Paul's belief about his identity before Jesus? What did you believe about your identity before you followed Jesus, and/or what do you notice about your belief about your identity when you take your eyes off Jesus?

Read Acts 22:6-12.
Paul had a pretty incredible supernatural encounter with Jesus! In reality, all of us who follow Jesus have encountered him and it took a supernatural alignment of many relationships and opportunities for that to happen. What was your supernatural encounter? What can you see that God had to work out and line up in a way that truly is miraculous in order for you to know and follow Jesus?

Read Acts 22:13-16.
Paul now tells what his new identity is and what his purpose is. How have you experienced this after your encounter with Jesus? What is your true identity now that you have had this encounter? What is different than before?

START DOING

Immediately after his supernatural encounter with Jesus, Paul is told to go right then and be baptized. What is your baptism story? If you haven't been baptized, share why and commit to taking that step now!

Paul is also told that he has been chosen to hear from God and be a witness to everyone who will listen. The same is true for each of us! Who are the people in your life that you have relationship with and could be the ones that God is sending you to be a witness for Him?

Paul's story is that before Jesus he was antagonistic toward Christianity, then he met Jesus walking to Damascus, and after Jesus he began to hear from God and be a witness for Him. What is your before-Jesus-after story? Share that with each other and be prepared to share that with others where you live, work, and play!

START PRAYING

Pray for each other to be so rooted in the true, new identity that comes after a supernatural encounter that we each can't help but be changed and be on mission. Pray that each person in the microchurch will take steps to grow in this faith and put it on display to everyone who will listen.

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CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
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MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
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WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?

Posted in Micro Church Guides