How God sees you shapes your personality, attitude, marriage, and relationships. God sees us as His child… a daughter who was chosen by God to be included in His family. We didn’t just “happen,” our Heavenly Father intentionally created us. Many women wonder where they stand with God. They may know they’re “saved,” but that’s about it.
It's easy to struggle with who you are, and so often, we compare ourselves with other women and fall short of who we think we need to be. Women tend to find their worth in what they do, what they look like, or what others say about them instead of what God says about them.
We will never be satisfied until our hearts find complete security and significance in God's unconditional love. As children of God, we are designed to find our identity, significance, and confidence in Him. The only way we'll be able to do this is if we move beyond knowing about God to knowing and relying on Him. This is when we can start experiencing the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
Tools & Challenges for Growth
Scripture Memory:
One of the best ways to grow spiritually is simply by memorizing scripture and praying it back to God. Bury His Word in your heart:
Use the wallpaper below to put on your phone (press + hold your finger on the pic).
Print it to use as a bookmark.
Write it down in your journal or on index cards.
Pray it out loud each day throughout the month.
Challenge yourself to recite it without peeking.
Quiet Time:
Make it your goal to have quiet time 5 times per week.
Suggested Book:
In His Image - Jen Wilkin
Other Book Choices:
Who Am I? - Jerry Bridges
Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of our Identity in Christ - Melissa Kruger
Classic Christianity – Bob George
Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image - Hannah Anderson
Free at Last – Tony Evans
As you read or when you’re finished with the book, write a summary of the key insights God gave you and any applications to your life. Think through the following questions:
In what ways did God encourage or challenge me through this book?
Are there any new truths I need to apply to my life?
Personal Challenge:
Words That Describe Me - Find a quiet time and place and ask yourself this question: “When I think about myself, who I am as a person, how would I describe the real me?” In a column, write ten or less words that leap to mind. This is personal, no one else has to see your list, so be totally honest. Don’t filter these words, just write what comes to you. If you’re honest, there will be positive and negative words.
Then ask God to give you the words He would use to describe you, His adopted daughter. Beside each of the words you wrote down in the first column, write down the word that came to you when you asked God for His descriptor. Look at the contrast between the words. Think about the difference between how you see yourself and how God sees you and come to the session prepared to share what you’ve discovered.
Marriage Focus (if applicable):
Choose to Lose - Think about an area of your marriage where you and your husband disagree. It could be task he thinks you should do, but you haven’t given in. Maybe a purchase, you can afford it, but you’ve held back, either out of stubbornness or pride. Or some activity he thinks would be fun, but you’ve resisted. Willingly choose to give in. Tell your husband you’re putting what he wants ahead of what you want. Don’t do it begrudgingly. Don’t trade. Don’t throw it up to him after you’ve done it. This isn’t martyr exercise, it’s a love and selflessness assignment. Come to the group ready to share what you chose to lose and what happened as a result.
*Adapted from The Love Dare, Alex and Stephen Kendrick, (2009‐06‐12). (p. 59). B&H Publishing.
Growth Partner Challenge:
Share what you chose to lose with your husband and what happened as a result. Then, if you choose, discuss the Words That Describe Me exercise, sharing the words you used to describe yourself which most conflicted with the words God would use to describe you. Ask each other, “How do I change the way I think of myself, from the old way to the correct way, to God’s way?” Share your ideas and see if you can help each other.
Other Resources:
Discovering Your Identity & Calling Podcast
The Good & Beautiful You Podcast
Scriptures on Identity in Christ
