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“I needed to find myself.” Have you ever heard someone say that? They were probably referencing a time when they needed some space or time away to think things through. What can cause a feeling of lostness, aimlessness, or an identity crisis? Perhaps it could be handling too many obligations that you never asked for. Or it could be from shouldering burdens long-term, a serious life change, or the expectations of others. Maybe we struggle with an inner critic, whispering convincingly, “you’re not good enough,” “you’re a joke,” “you don’t matter,” and “your efforts are ineffective.” On top of all of this, the world is so desperately trying to define us and its agenda-driven efforts are all around us. No wonder we as women are anxious! No wonder our young people are disillusioned! No wonder we struggle with self-doubt, intimidation, and inadequacy!
True to form, the Bible is always relevant and has exactly what we need. In the pages of God’s Word we find several “You are” passages, reminders of who we REALLY are. Let’s hide these verses in our hearts as we face the uncertainties of life. Let’s saturate the minds of our young people with these truths so they can stand strong and confident in their real, God-given identity.
Whether for personal study or in a class setting, it will be very effective to list out each thing you’re told “you are” as you go through them.
In the front of your Bible, write:
“You Are…”- Matt. 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Can you envision Jesus looking into the eyes of His disciples as He declares this? One of the first things He does in this powerful sermon is impress upon His followers who they are and how they will make an impact. It is no less true for every follower since.
Circle “you are” (v. 13 & 14) and underline “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” Squiggly underline all of verse 16. At the end of verse 16, write 10:29-31.
…Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Even though sparrows were considered “a dime a dozen,” Jesus said the Father in heaven paid attention to each and every one. Luke’s account reads “Not one of them is forgotten before God.”
Circle “you are” and underline “of more value than many sparrows.” If you are more valuable than many sparrows, and even the hairs of your head are numbered, what does that mean for your daily walk in this world? Squiggly underline “Fear not.” In the margin, write “(see also Lk. 12:6-7,24). At the end of verse 31, write Jn. 15:3-16.
Already you are clean because of the word…I am the vine, you are the branches…you are My friends…
Circle “you are” (v. 3, 5, and 14) and underline “clean,” “the branches,” and “my friends.” The word “abide” appears about 11x, depending on your version. Draw a square around each occurrence of “abide.” In the margin, write “abide= remain; stay; live.” What are we to abide in? Look through each occurrence of the word “abide” to see. What happens when we do? Squiggly underline the answers in v. 5, 7, 10-11, 16. At the end of verse five, write 1 Cor. 3:9.
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Circle “you are” and underline “God’s field, God’s building.” God is causing the growth in your field (v. 7) and Christ is the foundation of your building (v. 11). “Take care how you build on it” (v. 10)! At the end of verse nine, write v. 16-17.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Circle both occurrences of “you are” and underline “God’s temple” and “that temple.” This would be a good reminder for each new day. You are God’s holy temple because His Spirit dwells in you! That should affect your attitude and your actions. At the end of verse 17, write v. 23.
And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Circle “you are” and underline “Christ’s.” You belong to Him! At the end of the verse, write 12:27.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Circle “you are” and underline the rest of the verse. What is the significance of that? See v. 14-26. At the end of verse 27, write Gal. 3:26-29.
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith…for you are all one in Christ Jesus…
Circle all four occurrences of “you are” and underline “sons of God,” “one in Christ Jesus,” “Christ’s,” and “Abraham’s offspring.” What does that mean for you? Squiggly underline “heirs according to the promise.” You’ve been adopted by God through Christ. You are HIS heir. At the end of verse 29, write 4:6-7.
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Circle both occurrences of “you are.” Underline “sons” and “no longer a slave,” “a son,” and “an heir through God.” At the end of verse seven, write Eph. 2:19.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Circle both occurrences of “you are” and underline “no longer strangers and aliens” and “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” You belong, and you are “being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (v. 22). Let that encourage you for every tomorrow! At the end of verse 19, write 5:8.
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Circle “you are” and underline “light in the Lord.” What does it mean to walk as children of light? Make a little two-column chart. Title the left column “works of darkness” and the right column “walking in light.” Using 5:1-21, list things under each column. For example, “sexual immorality” (v. 3) would go under “works of darkness,” while “thanksgiving” (v. 4) would go under “walking in light.” At the end of verse eight, write 1 Thess. 5:5.
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
Circle “you are” and underline “children of light, children of the day.” At the end of the verse, write 1 Pet. 2:9-10.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, the you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Circle both occurrences of “you are.” Underline “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” and “God’s people.” This letter was written to Christians who were suffering. What would each of these descriptions have meant to them? What do they mean to you? At the end of verse ten, write 1 Jn. 4:4.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Circle “you are” and underline “from God.” In verse six, John writes of the “Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” There is a clear contrast between worldly messages and Truth (see v. 1-6). You have seen for yourself what “you are” in this study. Look at that list you’ve created! Do you believe it? Take it to heart because it is trust and faith in that Truth that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)!
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