A Life Group's Primary Identity

5/16/2001

5 Reasons Why a Small Group Member's Primary Identity Hinders Growth

From Rick Howerton's blog - http://blogs.navpress.com/rickhowerton/My-Blog

All of us have a “primary identity.” That is, the ability, activity, or lifestyle a person identifies with that brings them their sense of self-worth, that which sets them apart from everyone else. A few might be… being one of the stylish beautiful people, shooting outrageously good scores on the golf course, being an intense fan of a particular sports team, etc… And please know, that which sets a person apart and gives them their primary identity isn’t always positive. It could be that someone has a waistline that reaches from Kentucky to Georgia, works more hours than the average Joe (workaholism), can take in more booze without passing out than everyone else at the party, cusses like a sailor, is demanding and cranky, etc… The list could go on ad nausea. The problem with anything being our primary identity other than that we have been chosen by and redeemed by Christ is that it hinders our growth. Why? Because…

 

1.     1. We have a tendency to worship the thing that our primary identity is built around, keeping us from giving our full worship to God.

 

2.     2. We find our sense of self-worth in what we do rather than how our hearts are in relation to God and others.

 

3. We live our lives for that which our identity is wrapped up in so we give our time and attention to that thing even before giving ourselves to Kingdom expectations.

4.     4. We are prone to putting on a false front so that our image remains in tact, keeping us from being open and vulnerable with others in our small group.

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5.     5. We find our primary identity in the Christian community as we exercise our giftedness. This is especially true of those of us who are in full-time ministry. Our primary identity may be in teaching or training or being an incredible counselor. The problem… we begin to exercise our gifts to bring glory to ourselves because when we do, the thing that gives us our sense of self-worth is fed… our primary identity.

 

Small group leader… be aware that all of us struggle with this at some level. Lead your group members to know about this as well as battle it. This is the obstacle that keeps a massive number of Jesus followers from experiencing the relationship with Jesus they instinctively know is possible.