Our Foundational and Functional Identity

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)

The life of the Christian is foundationally and functionally found in Jesus Christ.

Main 1: Our Foundational Identity (v. 12a)
Main 2: Our Functional Identity (v. 12b-17)

Application Questions:

1. What are the three aspects of our foundational identity?
2. Why does the timing of being "called by God" matter?
3. The order of these three foundational aspects of our identity was said to be important. Why?
4. How should the truth of our foundational identity affect how we think about God? Ourselves?
5. How would forgetting your foundational identity adversely affect your joy in life? How will you work to remember these great foundational truths? How can you help others remember?
6. Our functional identity is our life (the way we live) in light of our foundational identity. How does our foundational identity spur us on to live in the "putting off" and "putting on" commands in our text?
7. Consider the various virtues that Paul speaks of. Where do we see Christ living these out? Share specific examples from scripture.
8. Think of some areas in your life where you've struggled in functionally living out these virtues.  How can you grow to put them on? How can others help you put them on? And how can you help others?