6. A New Life in Christ

📖 Bible Discovery

💡 Focus Passage

Eph 2:1-22

Previously, we discussed how Jesus’ death brings us new life. But what does this new life look like? As recipients of this new life, we are now “in Christ.” This lesson will explore what it means to be “in Christ,” including how it shapes our identity and changes our walk of life.

Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:

According to the passage, how does our life before coming to Christ compare with our new life that is “in Christ”?
What blessings do you observe are “in Christ?” Knowing we are partakers of all these, what kind of attitude should we have towards our status of being “in Christ”?

🌱 Main Teachings

Being “in Christ” means we have a new identity.
Now that we are “in Christ,” we have a new identity. This identity stems from having a new relationship with Christ and a life that is joined to His.
- After baptism, we are now “in Christ.”
  - When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death. This means we have also been buried with Him in death and raised to new life (Rom 6:3-4).
  - Our life is hidden in Christ (Col 3:3).
    - Since our new life is found in Christ, our identity is now rooted in our relationship with Him and our status in His eyes.
  - This new identity serves as the foundation of our relationships with others and should direct our daily conduct and the ultimate direction/purpose in our life.
- In Christ, we are:
  - a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
  - His temple and dwelling place (Eph 2:21-22)
  - sons of God (Gal 3:26)
  - light in the Lord (Eph 5:8)
  - His workmanship (Eph 2:10)
  - part of His body (Rom 12:5)
  - dead to sin, alive to God (Rom 6:11; Col 2:13)
  - reconciled to God (Col 1:21-22)

Being “in Christ” means we are beneficiaries of many spiritual blessings.

We who are “in Christ” have the privilege of receiving countless spiritual blessings from Christ. These blessings demonstrate the love, grace, and purpose He bestows upon those who live in Him.

In Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).
- Many of these blessings are related to our new identity/status in Christ. Examples are shown in the table below.

New Identity/Status ”In Christ, we are…”	Related Blessing(s) “In Christ, we have…”
His temple and dwelling place	The promised Holy Spirit which will dwell in us (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 1:13)
Light in the Lord	Deliverance from darkness to light (Col 1:12-13; 1 Pet 2:9)
Alive to God	Freedom from sin (Rom 8:2); eternal life (Rom 6:23)
Reconciled to God	Redemption (Rom 3:24; Col 1:14); forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7); nearness to God (Eph 2:13); no condemnation (Rom 8:1)
Sons of God	Received adoption as sons (Rom 8:15-16; Gal 4:5-6; Eph 1:5); become heirs through God (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7)
Part of His body	Unity with one another and with Christ (Jn 14:20; Gal 3:28; Rom 12:5)

Being “in Christ” means we should live differently.
Understanding our new identity in Christ and appreciating the blessings we can partake in are only the beginning. A life in Christ goes one step further to live out this new identity through actions, that we might walk worthy of what we have received.
*This point will be elaborated on further in subsequent lessons.
- The main principle is that we ought to no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ (2 Cor 5:15), and to live in a way pleasing to Him.
- Topics that will be discussed in subsequent lessons:
  - We ought to put off the old self and live as the new self.
  - We ought to understand our role in the body of Christ and pursue unity and growth with our brothers and sisters.
  - We ought to navigate our interpersonal relationships (e.g., husband/wife, parent/child, etc.) with wisdom, love, and sincerity, imitating the divine character Christ demonstrated towards us.

Further Study (L6)

👣 Practical Actions

Cherish our identity in Christ.
- Since we have the opportunity to be in Christ and to experience all the blessings He bestows upon us, we ought to treasure our identity and express gratitude.
  - Dedicate a prayer each week to counting our blessings and thanking God for all He has already done for us. Aside from the physical/material blessings we may receive, we should also take time to express gratitude for our spiritual blessings (examples in Further Study (L6)).
  - Keep a journal. Write down our experiences of being “in Christ” and how our life has changed. We can also share these blessings with others for mutual edification and reminders.
  - Share our faith with others. Embracing our identity means not being ashamed as a Christian and sharing the grace we’ve received with others.
Live out our identity in Christ.
- Now that we are “in Christ,” we should not merely stop at having knowledge of our new identity and the blessings we are privileged to receive.
- Instead, we should take the next step to live out our identity and magnify Christ through our actions in our daily lives (2 Cor 5:15; Gal 2:20).
  - How should we live in order that others may see Christ in us?
  - If our actions and way of life are no different from others, how will they be able to see the difference or blessings that being in Christ brings?
- Examples:
  - Put off the old self and put on the new self to reflect Christ (Eph 4:23-24).
  - Walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16).
  - Seek to do good and pursue righteousness (1 Thess 5:15; 2 Tim 2:22).

💭 Food For Thought

What are some practical ways you can show your gratitude for being chosen and given a status in Christ?
How can you honor Christ as Lord in your everyday choices?
In what ways should being in Christ make us think and behave differently from the people around us? What personal real-life situations can you apply this to?

🎯 Challenge Yourself

Activity: A Letter to My Past Self

Write a letter to your “old self” explaining why you no longer belong to that way of life and describing the blessings and life you now possess as your “new self.”
Things to think about and ideas to include:
- Explain how you have come to be a “new self.” This might include your journey of coming to believe in Christ, why you decided to believe in Christ, any memorable experiences you had throughout this process of coming to Him, etc.
- Reflect on what your “old self” looked like and how/why those things have changed now that you are in Christ.
- Affirm your new identity and the blessings you have received in Christ.
- Share your challenges and goals/hopes as a “new self” in Christ.
This exercise is meant to help you reflect on the essence of truly being “in Christ.” From being strangers and outsiders, to being brought near to Christ and partaking of His promises, we have truly been blessed. Since we have been given this opportunity, we ought to live courageously for Christ in newness of life, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead with gratitude and hope.

6. A New Life in Christ

📖 Bible Discovery

💡 Focus Passage

Eph 2:1-22

Previously, we discussed how Jesus’ death brings us new life. But what does this new life look like? As recipients of this new life, we are now “in Christ.” This lesson will explore what it means to be “in Christ,” including how it shapes our identity and changes our walk of life.

Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:

According to the passage, how does our life before coming to Christ compare with our new life that is “in Christ”?
What blessings do you observe are “in Christ?” Knowing we are partakers of all these, what kind of attitude should we have towards our status of being “in Christ”?

🌱 Main Teachings

Being “in Christ” means we have a new identity.
Now that we are “in Christ,” we have a new identity. This identity stems from having a new relationship with Christ and a life that is joined to His.
- After baptism, we are now “in Christ.”
  - When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death. This means we have also been buried with Him in death and raised to new life (Rom 6:3-4).
  - Our life is hidden in Christ (Col 3:3).
    - Since our new life is found in Christ, our identity is now rooted in our relationship with Him and our status in His eyes.
  - This new identity serves as the foundation of our relationships with others and should direct our daily conduct and the ultimate direction/purpose in our life.
- In Christ, we are:
  - a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
  - His temple and dwelling place (Eph 2:21-22)
  - sons of God (Gal 3:26)
  - light in the Lord (Eph 5:8)
  - His workmanship (Eph 2:10)
  - part of His body (Rom 12:5)
  - dead to sin, alive to God (Rom 6:11; Col 2:13)
  - reconciled to God (Col 1:21-22)

Being “in Christ” means we are beneficiaries of many spiritual blessings.

We who are “in Christ” have the privilege of receiving countless spiritual blessings from Christ. These blessings demonstrate the love, grace, and purpose He bestows upon those who live in Him.

In Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).
- Many of these blessings are related to our new identity/status in Christ. Examples are shown in the table below.

New Identity/Status ”In Christ, we are…”	Related Blessing(s) “In Christ, we have…”
His temple and dwelling place	The promised Holy Spirit which will dwell in us (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 1:13)
Light in the Lord	Deliverance from darkness to light (Col 1:12-13; 1 Pet 2:9)
Alive to God	Freedom from sin (Rom 8:2); eternal life (Rom 6:23)
Reconciled to God	Redemption (Rom 3:24; Col 1:14); forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7); nearness to God (Eph 2:13); no condemnation (Rom 8:1)
Sons of God	Received adoption as sons (Rom 8:15-16; Gal 4:5-6; Eph 1:5); become heirs through God (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7)
Part of His body	Unity with one another and with Christ (Jn 14:20; Gal 3:28; Rom 12:5)

Being “in Christ” means we should live differently.
Understanding our new identity in Christ and appreciating the blessings we can partake in are only the beginning. A life in Christ goes one step further to live out this new identity through actions, that we might walk worthy of what we have received.
*This point will be elaborated on further in subsequent lessons.
- The main principle is that we ought to no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ (2 Cor 5:15), and to live in a way pleasing to Him.
- Topics that will be discussed in subsequent lessons:
  - We ought to put off the old self and live as the new self.
  - We ought to understand our role in the body of Christ and pursue unity and growth with our brothers and sisters.
  - We ought to navigate our interpersonal relationships (e.g., husband/wife, parent/child, etc.) with wisdom, love, and sincerity, imitating the divine character Christ demonstrated towards us.

Further Study (L6)

👣 Practical Actions

Cherish our identity in Christ.
- Since we have the opportunity to be in Christ and to experience all the blessings He bestows upon us, we ought to treasure our identity and express gratitude.
  - Dedicate a prayer each week to counting our blessings and thanking God for all He has already done for us. Aside from the physical/material blessings we may receive, we should also take time to express gratitude for our spiritual blessings (examples in Further Study (L6)).
  - Keep a journal. Write down our experiences of being “in Christ” and how our life has changed. We can also share these blessings with others for mutual edification and reminders.
  - Share our faith with others. Embracing our identity means not being ashamed as a Christian and sharing the grace we’ve received with others.
Live out our identity in Christ.
- Now that we are “in Christ,” we should not merely stop at having knowledge of our new identity and the blessings we are privileged to receive.
- Instead, we should take the next step to live out our identity and magnify Christ through our actions in our daily lives (2 Cor 5:15; Gal 2:20).
  - How should we live in order that others may see Christ in us?
  - If our actions and way of life are no different from others, how will they be able to see the difference or blessings that being in Christ brings?
- Examples:
  - Put off the old self and put on the new self to reflect Christ (Eph 4:23-24).
  - Walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16).
  - Seek to do good and pursue righteousness (1 Thess 5:15; 2 Tim 2:22).

💭 Food For Thought

What are some practical ways you can show your gratitude for being chosen and given a status in Christ?
How can you honor Christ as Lord in your everyday choices?
In what ways should being in Christ make us think and behave differently from the people around us? What personal real-life situations can you apply this to?

🎯 Challenge Yourself

Activity: A Letter to My Past Self

Write a letter to your “old self” explaining why you no longer belong to that way of life and describing the blessings and life you now possess as your “new self.”
Things to think about and ideas to include:
- Explain how you have come to be a “new self.” This might include your journey of coming to believe in Christ, why you decided to believe in Christ, any memorable experiences you had throughout this process of coming to Him, etc.
- Reflect on what your “old self” looked like and how/why those things have changed now that you are in Christ.
- Affirm your new identity and the blessings you have received in Christ.
- Share your challenges and goals/hopes as a “new self” in Christ.
This exercise is meant to help you reflect on the essence of truly being “in Christ.” From being strangers and outsiders, to being brought near to Christ and partaking of His promises, we have truly been blessed. Since we have been given this opportunity, we ought to live courageously for Christ in newness of life, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead with gratitude and hope.