Wes Woodell 2013 Pepperdine Bible Lectures Blog:

Answering, “Who Am I?” Agents of Socialization - people or groups that influence your self-concept, attitudes, and behaviors (family, neighborhood, peer groups) work together to determine your Social Status. Answering, “Who Am I?” Agents of Socialization - people or groups that influence your self-concept, attitudes, and behaviors (family, neighborhood, peer groups) work together to determine your Social Status.

Answering, “Who Am I?” Three Types of Social Status: 1)Ascribed Status 2)Achieved Status 3)Master Status   (most important in determining identity) Answering, “Who Am I?” Three Types of Social Status: 1)Ascribed Status 2)Achieved Status 3)Master Status   (most important in determining identity)

Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV11) 1Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV11) 1Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Philippians 3:4-6 (NIV11) 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 3:4-6 (NIV11) 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Who am I? Identity Who are they? View of the World How do I fit in? Purpose & Priorities What am I going to do? Way of Life & Behavior Who/What is at the Center = Who/What You Are Worshipping Who is JESUS? IDENTITY Map SAUL: Pre-Conversion

Acts 9:1-3 (NIV11) 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. Acts 9:1-3 (NIV11) 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Acts 9:4-6 (NIV11) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:4-6 (NIV11) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Who am I? Identity Who are they? View of the World How do I fit in? Purpose & Priorities What am I going to do? Way of Life & Behavior Who/What is at the Center = Who/What You Are Worshipping Who is JESUS? IDENTITY Map Paul: Post-Conversion

Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV11) 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV11) 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Who am I? Identity Who are they? View of the World How do I fit in? Purpose & Priorities What am I going to do? Way of Life & Behavior Who/What is at the Center = Who/What You Are Worshipping Who is JESUS? IDENTITY Map TWENTY- Somethings?

General Observations/Comments 1.A person’s functional god is whoever or whatever is most important to them. 2.People following a false god are blind to it. Someone needs to help them see. 3.Communities make idols, communities break idols. The potential is there for either. 1.A person’s functional god is whoever or whatever is most important to them. 2.People following a false god are blind to it. Someone needs to help them see. 3.Communities make idols, communities break idols. The potential is there for either.

Practical Tips to Help Twenty- Somethings Overcome the Idol of Self 1.Exemplify: leaders set the standard. 2.Confront: confront individuals – use specific examples and challenge behavior/thinking. 3.Continually Coach: problem will not be solved overnight. Requires a change of mind – this is a process. 4.Cultivate Christ-Centered Community: continually remind your group of the need to die to self. When a message is internalized it becomes contagious. 1.Exemplify: leaders set the standard. 2.Confront: confront individuals – use specific examples and challenge behavior/thinking. 3.Continually Coach: problem will not be solved overnight. Requires a change of mind – this is a process. 4.Cultivate Christ-Centered Community: continually remind your group of the need to die to self. When a message is internalized it becomes contagious.

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