On your own or with your life group work through this reading plan to apply this weekend’s message to your life. If you haven’t done so yet, listen or watch the Sunday message below.

Next Step: Remember That I Am Now in Christ

Baptism is more than a ceremony. It is a picture of belonging—to Jesus and to His family. It reminds us that our old life has been buried and that, in Christ, we have been raised to a new life.
Tonight’s Goal:  Not simply to learn more about baptism, but to help each person experience the truth behind the Next Step: Remember that I am now in Christ.
Whether you are exploring faith, considering baptism, newly following Jesus, or have walked with Him for decades, there is room to take a next step.

1. WELCOME: “WHERE ARE YOU ON THE JOURNEY?”
If your faith journey were a road trip, what would your current season feel like?

Choose one and share it with the group

• Just getting started
• Trying to figure out where I’m going
• I need a little refueling
• Moving forward
• Seeing things I’ve never seen before
• Helping someone else along the way

There is no “right” answer. The goal is connection, not comparison.

2. DISCOVER: WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Read:  Matthew 28:19, Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 2:12–13
The message gives us four reasons baptism matters:

1. Obedience to Jesus
2. A public declaration of faith
3. Becoming part of the covenant family
4. Symbolizing our union with Christ

Talk About It
1. Which of these four ideas stands out to you most? Why?
2. What do you think baptism communicates to the person being baptized?
3. What do you think baptism communicates to everyone watching?
4. Why do you think God gives us physical, visible ways to express spiritual realities?

For Those Exploring Faith
If you are not yet sure what you believe about Jesus, you can simply answer: What do you find interesting, beautiful, confusing, or challenging about baptism?

3. EXPERIENCE: THE PICTURE OF BAPTISM
The message describes baptism through three movements: CLEANSED - Immersion, BURIED - Submersion, RAISED - Emersion
Read Colossians 2:12–13 again slowly. Imagine watching someone go under the water and then come back up.

Discuss
What does “buried” make you think about? What would it mean for someone to actually live as though their old life is no longer their identity?
What does “raised” make you think about? What might change if you really believed that you are “in Christ”?

4. CONNECTION: “WHO AM I?”Take a moment to complete these sentences privately:
Before Christ, I tend to define myself by...
Because of Christ, I want to increasingly define myself by...
One old thing I want to leave behind is...
One new thing I want to embrace is..
Share as you are comfortable.

Group Question
What are some identities people commonly build their lives around?
Examples might include:

• Career
• Family role
• Success
• Failure
• Appearance
• Money
• Relationships
• Approval
• Past mistakes
• Achievements
• What other people think

How is “I am in Christ” different from those identities?

5. JOYFUL PRACTICE
The Next Step is: Remember that I am now in Christ.
Throughout the week, choose one ordinary moment each day—getting into your car, making coffee, taking a shower, sitting at your desk, going for a walk, or getting into bed.

Pause and remind yourself: “I am in Christ.”
Then add one truth. Choose whichever one is meaningful to you.
“I am not alone.”
“I belong.”
“I am forgiven.”
“My past does not have the final word.”
“I am part of God’s family.”
“I have a new life.”
“Jesus is with me today.”

Don't keep the practice entirely to yourself. Choose one person in your group and text them during the week:  Remember: you’re in Christ. I’m cheering you on today! No sermon. No fixing. Just encouragement

6. THE “REMEMBER” MOMENT
We all forget who we are.
We forget when we're discouraged.
We forget when we fail.
We forget when we compare ourselves to others.
We forget when life gets busy.
We forget when our past gets loud.

Practice remembering by reading Colossians 2:12–13 every morning, noon and evening, Then quietly say out loud: “I am in Christ.”  Share with your family and friends.
What will you commit to changing in your everyday life as a result of the truer truth that you are in Christ?

Remember:  My identity is not defined by my past. I belong to Jesus and His family. I am learning to live from my new life in Christ.

7. CLOSING PRAYER
“Jesus, thank You that You invite us into a new life with You. Thank You that our identity does not have to be controlled by our past, our failures, our accomplishments, or what other people think about us. Help us remember that we are in Christ. For those who are seeking, give them courage to keep asking questions. For those who are beginning to follow You, give them courage to take their next step. For those considering baptism, give them clarity and courage. For those who have been following You for years, renew the joy of belonging to You. Teach us to live as people who know we belong—to You and to one another. Amen.”