Names have a way of defining who we are. Some names are given to us by others. Sometimes, we give names to ourselves. Names go beyond just a label that other people refer to us as. Names often determine how we think, act, process thoughts, and respond to others. This week we’re going to discuss why we should allow God to be the one to name us.
1. Can you recall being called a name that made you feel like you had less worth?
2. How often do you give yourself a name that makes you feel like you have less worth?
3. Read Daniel 1. What stands out to you as you read these verses?
4. Look at the meanings of the boys' names below. Why do you suppose they were given the names that they were? How could that have potentially impacted their lives?
• Daniel “God is my judge (protector, defender, leader)”
Belteshazzar “The god Bel protects his life”
• Hananiah “God is gracious”
Shadrach “I am fearful of god”
• Mishael “Who is like God”
Meshach “I am despised, humiliated”
• Azariah “God is my Helper”
Abednego “Slave of the god Nabu”
5. Pastor James said, “Names determine how you see yourself and direct your future.” How have you seen that idea play out in your life?
6. Read Daniel 1:8. Notice in this verse that Daniel is still referred to as Daniel, he is refusing to be identified by the new name that was given to him. Daniel is resolving to not be influenced by the temptations put before him. Why was it such a big deal for Daniel to make a stand here?
7. Read Daniel 1:9. This is a turning point in the story. What is starting to happen in this verse?
8. Who do you depend on to define who you are?
9. Pastor James said that we need to “Decide that only God can define you.” What is the difference between how God defines us and how others define us? Will God ever call us something that is not true?
10. You can overcome believing the lies to become what God has created you to be. You are not what you did. You are not what others have done to you or called you. Is your true identity based on what you think, what others think, or on what God says? Which one do you tend to give the most consideration to?
11. As you read each of these words, there’s probably one that will stick with you. It’s a word that you need to hear, a word that God is saying over your life and your situation right now. It is the name God is trying to get you to live under. What name resonates in your heart?
1. Blameless: "Now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." (Colossians 1:22, NLT)
2. Redeemed: (Psalm 130:7 NIV) "7 Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is unfailing love and with him is full redemption."
3. Masterpiece: "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
4. Victorious: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
5. Child of God: “26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)
6. Free: “Because you belong to Jesus Christ, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:2)
7. Adopted: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
8. Forgiven: “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." (Ephesians 1:7, NLT)
9. Loved: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)
10. Chosen: “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory." (Romans 15:7)
11. New: "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ, you are a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
12. Blessed: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
13. Accepted: "4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes." (Ephesians 1:4 NLT)
Prayer: "Father, we ask that your Spirit would do a healing work in our souls. God, it's so easy for us to become people pleasers. God, help us to live for you and you alone."