Week 5: A New Identity — Who Am I Now in Christ? Studies
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Week 5: A New Identity — Who Am I Now in Christ?
Beginner Now What? Living in Christ

Week 5: A New Identity — Who Am I Now in Christ?

Admin User · 19 February 2026

You've met Jesus. You've seen the cross and the empty tomb. Now the question shifts: who are YOU in light of all that? This week we explore what it means to be a new creation.

1 Opening

Welcome Back

Over the last four weeks, we explored who Jesus is and what He did. If you're here, something in those passages stirred you. Maybe you gave your life to Christ. Maybe you're still wrestling. Either way, you showed up — and that matters.

Now the question changes. It's no longer just "Who is Jesus?" — it's "Who am I because of Jesus?"

This is the part where the gospel gets personal. Not just a story about someone who lived 2,000 years ago, but a reality that rewrites your identity today.

Our Next Four Weeks
  • Week 5: A New Identity — Who am I now in Christ?
  • Week 6: The Holy Spirit — Who is the Helper Jesus promised?
  • Week 7: Life Together — Why do I need the church?
  • Week 8: Following Jesus Daily — What does obedience look like?
This Week's Question

Who am I now that I belong to Christ?

2 Scripture

KJV NET

14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

3 Explanation

The Old and the New

Before Christ, Scripture says we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1). Not sick. Not struggling. Dead. But God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. That's not improvement — that's resurrection.

Paul puts it bluntly: "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This isn't about trying harder to be a better person. It's about receiving a completely new identity.

Key Verses to Sit With
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!"
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
— Galatians 2:20
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ."
— Ephesians 1:4–5
What This Means

Your identity is no longer defined by your past, your failures, your family of origin, your diagnosis, your reputation, or your worst day. In Christ:

  • You are chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
  • You are adopted — a son or daughter of God (Ephesians 1:5)
  • You are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
  • You are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
  • You are God's workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)

Read that list again slowly. Let each one land. These aren't aspirational goals — they're accomplished facts. God did this. You received it.

4 Application

Making It Personal

Take some time this week to sit with these truths. Don't rush past them.

  • Which identity statement from Ephesians 1 is hardest for you to believe about yourself? Why?
  • What old labels or identities do you still carry that contradict who God says you are?
  • What would change in your daily life if you truly believed you were chosen, adopted, and sealed?

Reflection Questions

What does Paul mean by "new creation"? What is old? What is new?

Which identity statement from Ephesians 1 stands out to you most? Why?

What old labels or identities do you still carry that contradict who God says you are?

What would change in your daily life if you truly believed these things about yourself?

Log in to record your answers.

5a Prayer

Father, thank You for not leaving me as I was. Thank You that my identity is no longer built on shifting sand — my performance, my past, my pain — but on the finished work of Christ. Help me to believe what You say about me, even when my feelings say otherwise. I am Yours. Teach me to live like it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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