Baptism is more than just about the beginning, but an ongoing grace to disciples throughout their life.

Outline: How baptism grounds us in our identity as Christians:

1.Baptism grounds us in Christ’s forgiveness.

2.Baptism grounds us in the assurance of faith alone

3.Baptism grounds us in God’s family

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. What are some ways our modern world offers us alternative identities to the one given us in the gospel? How do they make themselves appealing or persuasive?

2. When Simba goes to the wilderness he drops his identity as a kingly lion for a care-free scavenger. Where have you struggled between what the world says you should be and what God, in his gospel, says you are (consider: parenting, relationships, success, social status, education, beauty etc.) What were some of the effects this struggle had on your sense of identity?

3. Baptism serves to remind us of our identity in Christ, namely that we are forgiven, saved by faith alone, and members of God’s family. Which of these three identity markers speaks to you most reassuringly today and why?

4. How can remembering you have been cleaned by the blood of Christ give you strength to fight temptation to sin?

5. What is a way you can use your baptism to battle doubts that arise in your faith?

6. Read Hebrews 10:25 . How have you personally experienced the family of God encouraging your faith?