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Who Am I? Finding Your True Identity in Christ

“Who are you?”

It’s a simple question that can stop us in our tracks. Whether it’s Simba asking Rafiki in The Lion King or our own hearts wrestling with this fundamental question, the search for identity is universal.

The Big Questions We All Face

Throughout life, we revisit three essential questions that shape our existence:

  • Who am I? (Identity)
  • Why am I here? (Purpose)
  • Where do I fit? (Belonging)

These questions aren’t just for teenagers or young adults. Life changes, seasons shift, and who you were as a high school student isn’t necessarily who you are as a parent, professional, or retiree. If we don’t answer these questions for ourselves, the world will try to answer them for us—and we’ll end up drifting through life.

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Timothy: My Son in the Faith

The young man who changed the world from behind the scenes

Of all the influential figures we encounter in the New Testament, Timothy might be the one who resonates most with young believers today. When he first joined Paul’s missionary team, he was likely just a teenager. Yet this young man would go on to become the head pastor of one of the most influential churches in the Roman Empire – the church in Ephesus – all while remaining remarkably humble and focused on serving others rather than seeking the spotlight.

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Barnabas: Son of Encouragement

by Darrin Chastain

Lessons from an Influencer in the Early Church

In a world constantly seeking influence through social media followers and viral content, the biblical figure of Barnabas offers a timeless example of genuine, life-changing influence. Though just an “average Joe” (his real name was Joseph), Barnabas made such an impact that he became known by his nickname, which means “son of encouragement.”

Who Was Barnabas?

Barnabas appears about 20 times in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts. Though he didn’t write any biblical books himself, his character and actions were so remarkable that his story continues to teach us valuable lessons today.

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Priscilla: The Mother of Teachers

Exploring the powerful influence of an extraordinary woman in the early church

Throughout the Book of Acts, we encounter remarkable individuals who shaped the early church through their dedication and service. Among these influential figures stands Priscilla, sometimes called Prisca—a woman whose impact resonates through generations of Christian teaching.

Who Was Priscilla?

Priscilla was Roman by birth and heritage—a Gentile, not Jewish. Historical evidence suggests she may have converted to Judaism later in life. She was highly educated, well-respected, and possibly of noble birth, potentially related to a Roman senator. Beyond her status, she became a dedicated leader in the early church, serving alongside her husband Aquila and the apostle Paul.

By trade, Priscilla was a tentmaker who worked with leather and fabric. This wasn’t just a job—it was how she and Aquila funded their ministry and supported the growing church movement. She exemplified hard work, hospitality, and commitment to spreading the gospel.

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Stephen: The Winsome Radical

Lessons from the First Christian Martyr

For the next few weeks we will be examining influential characters throughout the Book of Acts – people who impacted those around them, shaped the early church, and influenced the Apostle Paul. In Acts 17, city officials make a remarkable accusation against these early Christians: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Today, we focus on Stephen, whom one commentator aptly called “The Winsome Radical.”

Who Was Stephen?

Stephen holds the distinction of being the first Christian martyr – the first to be executed for his faith in Christ. The term “martyr” comes from the Greek word for “witness,” and Stephen truly witnessed to Christ’s power through his life and death.

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A Joy-Filled Life

In a world obsessed with pursuing happiness, we often find ourselves on what psychologists call the “hedonic treadmill” – constantly chasing the next high, only to return to our baseline after that momentary surge of pleasure fades. We buy something new, get a promotion, start a relationship, and experience a brief spike of happiness before inevitably settling back to where we started.

But what if there’s a better way to live?

The book of Philippians offers us a profound alternative. Written by the Apostle Paul while in chains, this letter mentions joy or rejoicing sixteen times – more than any other New Testament epistle. How could a man in prison write about joy with such conviction? Because Paul understood something vital: happiness and joy are not the same thing.

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A Christ-Centered Life (Philippians 2)

Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem—not on a war horse with military fanfare as a Roman governor might, but on a donkey, accompanied by ordinary followers waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” This humble entry reveals something profound about Christ’s character and kingship.

What Makes Life Worth Living?

In our journey through Philippians, we’ve been exploring deep questions: What makes life worth living? What is God really like? Is Jesus still relevant today? Why can’t people just get along?

The book of Philippians points us toward answers, and it’s all centered on Christ. In fact, there are over 100 references to Jesus in just four chapters! Paul opens with the incredible declaration, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” For Paul, everything revolves around Jesus.

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A Worthy Life (Philippians 1)

Throughout April, we’re diving into the book of Philippians – a four-chapter journey that begins with some profound questions: What makes life worth living? And related: What does it mean to live a worthy life?

The Philippian Context

Paul wrote this letter from prison, likely in Rome around 62 AD, about 30 years after Jesus’s ministry. The Philippian church was special to Paul – these were the first Christian converts in Europe that we know of from scripture. The city of Philippi was a Roman colony, essentially a retirement community for Roman veterans who enjoyed the privileges of Roman citizenship.

When Paul first visited Philippi (Acts 16), he met remarkable individuals like Lydia, a successful businesswoman who sold luxury purple cloth. He encountered a demon-possessed girl being exploited by her masters, and eventually found himself imprisoned with Silas. That imprisonment led to an earthquake, followed by the conversion of their jailer. These were the very people Paul was now writing to – people whose lives had been radically transformed.

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DAVID the SAGE

by Lucas Johnson

We all know the story of David and Goliath—the young shepherd who defeated a giant and went on to become Israel’s greatest king. But what happens when a warrior king can no longer fight? What’s the next chapter when our primary identity no longer fits who we’ve become?

When the Warrior Can’t Fight

Even the greatest among us face this reality. Consider Mike Tyson, once “the baddest man on the planet,” stepping into the ring at 58 years old against Jake Paul. Despite his legendary status, time had caught up with him—he looked stiff and had clearly lost his step.

David faced a similar situation. In 2 Samuel 21:15-17, we find him in battle against the Philistines where “David became weak and exhausted.” A giant named Ishbi-benob nearly killed him before his nephew Abishai came to the rescue. His men declared, “You are not going out to battle again, for why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?”

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