When we describe ourselves as Christians, what are we really saying? What is implied? Most importantly, what does our King expect? Building on the previous lessons of January and February 2008, this lesson seeks to drive home the fact that we must find our place in the story of God's redemption.

1. Making 2008 A Year of Growth

2. Throughout the months of January, February, and March, we will grow together in our appreciation of God’s amazing plan to redeem mankind, His wisdom in providing the church, and what it means to function as a faithful member of His family.

3. 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Ephesians 4:11-16). 2008: A Year Of Growth Throughout the months of January, February, and March, we will grow together in our appreciation of God’s amazing plan to redeem mankind, His wisdom in providing the church, and what it means to function as a faithful member of His family.

4. 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Ephesians 4:11-16). 2008: A Year Of Growth Knowing Christ and His body 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Throughout the months of January, February, and March, we will grow together in our appreciation of God’s amazing plan to redeem mankind, His wisdom in providing the church, and what it means to function as a faithful member of His family.

5. MEMBERSHIP “to equip the saints” January - March 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Ephesians 4:11-16). 2008: A Year Of Growth Knowing Christ and His body 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Throughout the months of January, February, and March, we will grow together in our appreciation of God’s amazing plan to redeem mankind, His wisdom in providing the church, and what it means to function as a faithful member of His family.

12. “ Who Am I?”

13. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian”

14. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” Acts 11:26 -- 26 For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

15. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” Acts 11:26 -- 26 For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians . of, relating to, deriving from Christ

16. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven”

19. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven”

20. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” Isaiah 1:18 -- 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

21. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant”

22. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” Romans 6-15-18 -- 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

23. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” Romans 6-15-18 -- 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?...

24. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” Romans 6-15-18 -- 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

25. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple”

26. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” Matthew 28:19-20 -- 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

27. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint”

28. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” 1 Corinthians 1:2 -- 2 …to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

29. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” 1 Peter 1:13-16 -- 13 Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

30. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” 1 Peter 1:13-16 -- 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…

31. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” 1 Peter 1:13-16 -- 15 …but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

32. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” “ I am a child of God”

33. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a child of God” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 -- 17 “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them,” says the Lord, “ and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” says the Lord Almighty.

34. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir”

35. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” Romans 8:12-17 -- 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live…

36. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” Romans 8:12-17 -- 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

37. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” Romans 8:12-17 -- 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

38. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” “ I am one part of something larger than myself”

39. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” “ I am one part of something larger than myself” 1 Peter 2:4-5 -- 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

40. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” “ I am forgiven” “ I am a servant” “ I am a disciple” “ I am a saint” “ I am a child of God” “ I am an heir” “ I am one part of something larger than myself”

41. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian”

42. “ Who Am I?” “ I am a Christian” 2 Timothy 2:19 -- 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”