The Gift Of Being Yourself

Dehr adun Youth Camp@dbc The Gift of Being Yourself 3/6/09-7/6/09 (Bible Study sessions) Presented by Tommy Liang

Objectives  Participants will be able to understand their identity in the light of the Scriptures and to make a commitment to living as a disciple of Christ.

The Self in perspectives (4/6, THUR)

1. The Self as God’s creation (Pastor John S. Anand) 2. The Self as the Image of God (Brother Tommy Liang) 3. The Self in spiritual warfare and the need for discipleship (Pastor Emmanuel)

Identity in Christ (5/6, FRI) 8:30-10:30 A. To understand the formation of self-identity through the life of Peter (How are these passages related to the self-identity of Peter?): Mt 14:22-33 Context: from big class lecture (crowd) to small class tuition (disciples) to personal coaching (Peter) Peter was the only one disciple who dared to ask and walk on the water. What a privilege he had! Though he was commented of little faith, he experienced love as being rescued. Mt 16:13-20 Peter experienced love as receiving revelation by the heavenly Father, forming a new identity, and being given authority in the kingdom of heaven. Mt 17:1-9 Peter experienced love as being chosen to share the secret of Jesus. Peter is deeply loved by God (Mt 14:22-33; 16:13-20; Mt 17:1-9)

Lk 5:1-11 Peter experienced shame and guilt: “Go away from me, LORD; I am a sinful man!” But grace always follows: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Lk 22:31-34; 54-62 Peter will be fallen and was fallen when he had denied of knowing Jesus. He saw himself as higher than he was. He overestimated himself. This is grandiosity. He felt shameful of acknowledging Jesus and was in a state of guilt. Jer 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind.” We should admit that we are powerless over sin. Peter is deeply sinful (Lk 5:1-11; 22:31-34; 22:54-62; Jer 17:9-10)

Jn 21:15-19 Even though Peter was called the rock of the church, he failed. But Jesus restored him. Acts 4:12-13 Peter is an unschooled and ordinary man who turns intellectual and extraordinary because of Jesus’ salvation. Gal 2:11-16 As a Christian leader, Peter is still making mistakes. Peter is in the process of redemption and restoration (Jn 21:15-19; Acts 4:13; Gal 2:11-16)

Who am I in Christ? 1. I am deeply loved by God. 2. I am deeply sinful. 3. I am in the process of redemption and restoration.

Personal reflections and group sharing: 1. Reflect on and share your personal experience of being deeply loved by God. 2. Reflect on and share your understanding of yourself as being deeply sinful. 3. Reflect on and share how the process of redemption and restoration has been working in you. 

11:00-1:00 B. To understand the structure of self through Ps 103, 139 and to know the experience of different parts of the self through sculpting (What are the compositions of a self according to these two psalms?):

BEHAVIORS / BODY(139:2-4,16) FEELINGS (139:21-23) THOUGHTS (139:2,23) DESIRES (103:5) INMOST BEING/SOUL (103:1,2,22; 139:13)

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Think of a stressful event and share your inner experience in terms of the structure of self: What happened? What did you do? How did your body react? How did you feel? What thoughts came to your mind? What did you expect and yearn for? How was your inmost being?

Living for Christ (6/6, SAT) 8:30-10:30 A. To learn to make the best use of my self for Christ through the first book of Peter: 1. Coping with spiritual distress in growth (1 Pet 1:3-7) 2. Seeing ourselves in new ways (1 Pet 2:9-10) 3. Loving each other (1 Pet 4:7-10) 4. Knowing God as an involved and caring person (1 Pet 5:6-7)

1. Draw a life-line, indicate the ups and downs, and share how God has been helping you to grow. 2. Practice the Declaration of Self-identity: “I am a chosen people”, “I am a royal priesthood”, “I am a holy nation”, “I am a people belonging to God” 3. Practice Mindful Prayer. Write 10 ways to express love and practice them. Practice hospitality. 4. Share your experience of being lifted up and cared for by your personal God.

11:00-1:00 B. To learn to follow Christ by reordering our relationships (Mt 10:32-39): Draw family maps. Examine the dynamics of our own families. Identify the problems. Admit our powerlessness over the problems. Make a commitment to change. Invite Christ to save and restore. Anchor the change by regular prayers and meditations.

Self-acceptance in God (7/6, SUN) 1. An intimate relationship with God. 2. Let God decide what is good and bad. 3. Let God fulfill your needs in His way.