Isaiah 43:1–3 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; and you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up:
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
SPACE FOR YOUR NOTES
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
SPACE FOR YOUR NOTES
Matthew 16:13–16
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
SPACE FOR YOUR NOTES
Small Group Questions
- What words would your friends use to describe you?
- Is there a name (positive or negative) you’ve been called that’s stuck with you? How has this name impacted you?
- Why is it so important to know that what God says about us is true?
- What do you think makes is so difficult for us to believe that we are truly new creations?
- What’s one tangible way you can choose to let go of your old names and grab hold of the new names God has given us?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?