NIL | Week 1

Are you struggling to understand your true worth in today's world, where identity is often tied to achievements, appearances, and accolades? In this first message of the new series, NIL: Name, Image, and Likeness, Pastor Rick dives deep into the book of Galatians and a powerful teaching from Matthew 22. He unpacks the concept of NIL not just in the context of college sports but in the far more profound realm of our relationship with God.

Discover what it means to bear the image of God and how this truth impacts every area of your life, from your daily decisions to your eternal destiny. Through this message, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your identity in Christ and how you can live out His likeness in a world that desperately needs it.

Listen to explore:

• The significance of bearing God's image in today's society.
• How Jesus' wisdom in handling the Pharisees' tricky questions applies to us.
• The balance between obeying earthly authorities and staying true to God's Kingdom.
• Practical ways to live out your identity in Christ daily.

Questions for Small Group Discussion:

1. How does understanding that we bear the image of God change the way we see ourselves and others?
2. What does it mean to "render to God what is God's" in your own life?
3. How can we navigate the tension between obeying earthly authorities and staying true to God's commandments?
4. In what ways can we love our neighbors as ourselves, particularly those who are marginalized or overlooked?
5. How does the concept of NIL in collegiate sports relate to our identity in Christ? Are there parallels in how we are 'branded' as Christians?

We encourage you to share this message with others who might need to hear it. Let's grow together in understanding and living out our identity in Christ. Don’t forget to join us for the rest of the series and dive deeper into these life-changing topics with your small group.