Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 2

Feb. 28, 2007

Verses: Eph. 2:10; Isaiah 53:6; Gen. 2:16-17; Galatians 5:19-21a

This week we learned about flesh – living in and out of your own resources to make life work for you, instead of relying on the life of Christ within you!

We learned that just like Adam, we were born into the world with three God-given needs- to be loved, accepted, and significant. We often try to meet these needs by walking in the flesh (see above) instead of walking in the spirit (choosing to let the life of Christ be expressed through us by living in dependence on Him.) The TRUTH here is that ONLY GOD can meet those needs for love, acceptance, and worth!

We also learned that, in flesh, we allow our self-concept to be determined by the feedback of others. This feedback comes in the form of messages. Messages move us to feelings, and feelings become our belief system. For example- in a divorce situation where the Father leaves, the message to the child would be “Dad left us”. This would cause feelings of abandonment, rejection, and loneliness. The belief this child might then have is “I’m unwanted”.

Many of our beliefs are wrong, because we don’t interpret situations correctly. Then, we develop coping mechanisms (our flesh) to deal with our lives. The way we cope might be pride, being a “people- pleaser”, a need for control, self pity, denial, depression, escaping into friends/drugs/activities, or other emotions. (These are just a few examples.)

Instead of letting our “flesh” take over though, we must learn to give in to God’s grace and His truth in our lives! We must rest in His truth, and believe that only He can satisfy our needs for love, acceptance, and worth!

Students: reflect back on what God taught you through Week 2. Do you have questions? Did God reveal something to you? Is there a verse you really connected with? Share these revelations by making a “comment” here!

(If you missed Week 2 and would like the workbook, contact me [Ericka] and I’ll get you a copy!)