We're assuming you've already worked through the 40 Days study and have also given each of the preceding topics it's week's worth of attention. If so, let's do some intentional preparation for future fruit bearing.

Week 3 : New Creation

Where we left off... 40 Days - Day 3:

Past or future actions (regardless of how shameful) can't compromise your position in the flock. The perfect unity within the Trinity means that all three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all acting to secure those who are His.

What you should learn this week:

• In the Old Testament, parents named their children based on their hope or immediate experience. When God names a person it is a revelation of their true identity—their purpose, calling, and role in God's plan.

• Our eternal hope rests in our identity as sons and daughters of God. Our confidence is in the Name-giver Himself, God Almighty.

Some Thoughts for Group Discussion

Show your progress on the memory verse, discuss your experience with the Faith in Action challenge, and discuss the various questions in the reading schedule.

Discuss Philippians 2, specifically verses 9-11. What does the name above all names really mean?

What do the various names of God listed in scripture mean to us today?

Your "Faith in Action" challenge this week:

Engage at least two other people in a conversation about your identity:

• The person must be close enough to know you well.

• The person must be honest enough and caring enough to risk hurting your feelings with the truth.

• Ask them how they perceive your true character based on how you consistently act. (Don't defend yourself, just listen).

• Ask them to help hold you accountable to your new identity in Christ.

Take their feedback and ask yourself "are they seeing the real me...who God has made me to be?"

Study Tool to Explore

The BibleProject is a powerful tool for the new believer to accelerate their introduction to scripture. Of particular benefit for the new student is their series of overviews to each book of the Bible.

In case you didn't see it last week, here's a video summary of the importance of the Abrahamic family in the big picture.