#Selfie- Community Group Curriculum
Week 5: February 8-12, 2016 (Sermon Subject: I am Redeemed)
Bottom Line: The trappings of our sin and shame render us broken and helpless only
the Gospel tells us our true worth.
May you dig into this CG experience and be unleashed into more
openness, courage and purpose as you trust Jesus more each day!
Intro: Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus in approx. 62 AD. Ephesians is
referred to as a Captivity Epistle because Paul wrote it while in a Roman prison.
The purpose of his writing is difficult. Ephesians was not written to correct obvious, errant
teaching. The writing is direct, with a serious tone, and it outlines the important practices
and doctrines for believers to keep in mind. Ephesians is centered around specific truths
for the Church [people], Christian Unity, and the Christian Walk.
One way to outline this letter is
Unity in Christ
Ephesians 1:1-3:21
Unity in the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:1-6:24
#Selfie will concentrate on Ephesians 1:3-14 as it is foundational to our identity in Christ.
This is not self-help, not a “5 easy step” idealistic approach. This is a Gospel centered,
inside-out real life approach to capturing and claiming your real SELF.
This is week 5 into this 7 week sermon series,
so if questions arise during this series they may be mentioned later.
Feel free to write down your thoughts and discuss them as a CG.
The hard work, the tough questions, and the uncomfortable silences to your past is a
quite a task, but a noble one… Because you’re worth more!
Main Text: Ephesians 1:7-8
Key terms:

Redemption- GRK word: apolutrosis, meaning to buy back, release or deliverance from
a state of slavery
#Selfie- Community Group Curriculum


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Lavished- GRK word: perisseuo, pronounced “per-issyoo-o,” meaning running over,
abundant
Wisdom- GRK word: sophia, meaning to apply knowledge
Understanding- GRK word: phroneo, to be able to think and to have good judgment
Discussion Questions:
1. Just to kick off this discussion of redemption. Watch/listen to the Official Lyric
Video “Greater” by Mercy Me @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU
2. What was your favorite childhood thing to do or game to play?
Can you trace the storyline of redemption in your play? If so, what is it?
3. Read this scenario and find redemption from this storyline of Gladiator.
Background: The Roman General who left the war only to have the war find his home.
His time in the arena [where he didn’t want to be] become the very thing that set the
people of Rome free from the cruel tyrannical leader.
Commodus: Rise. Rise.
[Maximus stands up, clenching an arrow head in his right hand]
Commodus: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don't think there's ever been a
gladiator to match you. As for this young man, he insists you are Hector reborn. Or was
it Hercules? Why doesn't the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do
have a name.
Maximus: My name is Gladiator.[turns away from Commodus]
Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet
and tell me your name.
Maximus: [removes helmet and turns around to face Commodus] My name is Maximus
Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions
and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son,
husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
4. All 66 books of the Bible is the Big story of God revealing himself to humanity
[Metanarrative]. When has God revealed himself to you?
5. What is the connection between God’s redemption and your guilt and shame?
6. Consider this: What are some potential problems with these examples of living on
self- esteem alone vs. Gospel Identity (our true Self- Worth)? Can you think of any
other examples?
• I will feel better (will be worthy) when I lose 20 lbs.
• I will feel better (I’ll be worthy) if I get and can stay sober.
#Selfie- Community Group Curriculum
• I will feel better when my kids aren’t acting a fool (I’ll be worthy if everyone thinks
I am a good parent).
• I’ll feel successful if I can buy more things (I’ll be worthy) and have a better social
status.
• I’ll feel better when I am noticed (I’ll be worthy only if my parent’s notice me.)
• I’ll feel better if others like me (I’ll be worthy only if he/she calls me back.)
7. Have you ever been tempted to live off self-esteem versus self-worth?
8. What happens to your openness, courage, and purpose if you live off of selfesteem instead of our Gospel identity?
Review & Reflection:
God writes BIGGER stories of us. At the pen of our Creator is an identity that has a worth
founded upon what Christ did. Not simply based off of how we feel. Our Gospel identity is filled
with the truth of what God says about us, what Jesus did for us, and who we are because of it!
Passages for further study:
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There
is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans
3:22-24 NIV 84
18For
you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were
redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but
with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen
before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1
Peter 1:18-19, 20 NIV 2011
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom
of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians
1:13-14 NIV 84
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we
wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope
we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already
has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans
8:23-25 NIV 84
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from
God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written:
“Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV 84
#Selfie- Community Group Curriculum
Resources to Dig a Little Deeper:
www.bible.org (Great source to search out specific topics)
https://redeemer.bvcms.com/EmailView/267609 (article about love & courage)
Boundaries by Drs. Cloud & Townsend
Wild at Heart by John Eldridge
Captivating by John and Staci Eldridge
Who Do You Think You Are? by Mark Driscoll
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (secular writer)
Rising Strong by Brene Brown (secular writer)