Sealed and Branded

In one paragraph

This was the second week of a conversation about identity and belonging. Brian picked up where last week left off, moving from the idea that God's name is written on the bottom of the boot of every believer's heart to asking what that mark actually looks like and how it works in a person's life. The passage was Ephesians 1:3-14, with the focus landing on verses 13 and 14. Brian opened by recapping...

Read together

1. 1 John (chapter not specified) God writes his name on the boot of every believer; he who has the Son has life
2. Ephesians 1:3-14 read aloud in full as the main passage; focused on verses 13-14 about the Holy Spirit as God's seal and guarantee
3. Zephaniah 3:17 God rejoices over you with dancing and singing a song that calms all your fears
4. John 16:8 Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and coming judgment
5. Galatians (chapter not specified) works of the flesh contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit
6. Psalms (chapter not specified) Search my heart O God, examine my life and lead me in the way of everlasting life

What was said

• Pray Psalm 139's 'search my heart, O God' prayer this week and sit quietly long enough to let the Holy Spirit point out any lie about your identity that you have agreed with.
• Look up the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh in Galatians and honestly compare that list against one area of your life you have been unsure about.
• When the Holy Spirit warns you away from something this week, stop and listen to that still small voice instead of pushing past it.
• Bring a friend and a chair to the church-at-Powderhorn-Park service on Sunday, August 17.
• Sign up to help with meal prep and serving at Saint John's Mission on August 6 or August 20.

Talk about it

1. Brian talked about the name on the bottom of Woody's boot and said the world would love to write its own name on your heart. What are some of the labels the world tries to put on people, and have you ever caught yourself believing one of those labels about yourself?
2. Brian described the enemy's goal as defacing the image of God in a person, the way graffiti defaces a building, while God's goal is to highlight and develop the unique way you were made. How have you experienced either of those forces at work in your own life?
3. Brian said the Holy Spirit engraves, enlightens, and empowers. Which of those three operations feels most real and present to you right now, and which one do you feel you need more of?
4. Bethany asked how you can tell which parts of you are God-made and which parts are flesh. Brian pointed to the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, and suggested praying 'Search my heart, O God.' What does that kind of honest prayer look like practically in your daily life?
5. Brian closed by saying that if you belong to Yahweh, the optimal expression of his life is when you allow the Holy Spirit to express his life through you. What is one specific area where you feel the Holy Spirit might be inviting you to surrender more fully to that right now?