Nobody wants to be a nobody. That’s a good thing, actually. The driving desire to be a somebody is part of God’s divine design. Just be sure that the somebody you want to be isn’t a fake identity.

Notes and Next Steps
Genesis 3 + Part 1 of the series "God Loves Nobodies"

Everybody wants to be a somebody.

The driving desire to be somebody is part of our divine design.

God created mankind in his own image … male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves … and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:7,8)

It’s more than the feeling that we’ve done something wrong—it’s the feeling that there is something innately wrong with us. 

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)

I am a perfectly made child of God. Connected to Jesus. All. The. Time.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God … as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:2,3,12)

SPIRITUAL NEXT STEP 

Watch Charlie Brown pitch out of his clothes. Unpack this with your group. Do his repeated attempts mean he is striving to become a somebody, or is he comfortably confident being a nobody? Should the result of his efforts on his team winning or losing make a difference for his continued efforts, or not?

SPIRITUAL NEXT STEP 

Just read it. Buy the book God Loves Nobodies by Matthew Doebler. If we gather enough CrossLife interest, he is willing to lead a live video Q&A with us about the book and our series. C’mon y’all!

Discussion Questions

1. Just read it. Buy the book God Loves Nobodies by Matthew Doebler. If we gather enough CrossLife interest, he is willing to lead a live video Q&A with us about the book and our series. C’mon y’all!
2. Watch Charlie Brown pitch out of his clothes. Unpack this with your group. Do his repeated attempts mean he is striving to become a somebody, or is he comfortably confident being a nobody? Should the result of his efforts on his team winning or losing make a difference for his continued efforts, or not?
3. Read Genesis 3. How is blaming others (vv. 9-13) for our own problems an identity issue? What is a better way to handle our own problems (hint: vv. 14-19)?
4. Everyone in your group memorize and say to the group our CrossLife identity statement: I am a perfectly made child of God. Connected to Jesus. All. The. Time. Brainstorm ways to keep this alive and active every day.