8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Col 3:8-14
Q & A：
- Who do you seek approval or praise from the most over the course of your life? Do you struggle with your identity or self-worth if nobody is cheering you on as it used to? Discuss what our old man (identity) is based on and what struggles you may have experienced being a trailing spouse, in between jobs or in a new role that may be quite different from your industry or prior work experience. (Col 3:8-14; Gal 2:20)
- As a believer, what does our new identity in Christ mean to you and how should you see yourself as being loved by God and being the children of God? How is this positional truth on your new identity different to what the world sees and expects from people? (Gal 3:28-29; John 3:16; John 1:12; Eph 1:5-6)
- How does having peace with God and a direct access to His throne of grace to be accepted, help you understand your new identity better? Discuss how you can live out your new identity in your family relationship or church community rather than holding onto your old self (identity), feeling insecure or rejected. (Rom 5:1-2; Col 3:12-13)