Who Am I? Finding Your Identity in Christ
Notes
Transcript
Welcome:
So excited for this new year. This week and next week we will meet this way in a large group before we break into our small groups.
For those of you who do not know who I am, I am Kevin and my wife is Rhonda. The other adults we have serving with us is……
· Jeff and Maggie David and Bobbie
· Don and Tabitha Josh J
· Gabe Fisher Cheyenne
· Noel Doolittle Josh B
Randy Cooper
· Steve and Kelley Jon and Carrie
· Bryan Jonathan
· Halle Regan
· Elizabeth Rhonda
Now that you know who we are you now get to fill out this paper. Please write so we can read it. It is the Who am I sheet. Some basic questions about you. When you are done please turn give them to a leader.
Somethings to remember:
Every Sunday:
· We will do like today and meet in the lobby area hanging out
· Announcements and prayer then we will head to classes
· Please bring your paper bible every week, so you can follow along without being distracted by your phone
· Make sure you go to the bathroom before we start
· There are a lot of students here, keep your hands to yourself
· Come ready to hear the Word of God
Opening Illustration:
Who do you think I am, my identity is in this outfit is someone that I am pretending to be.
People say I look like him
Even when I do not have this one people will say
IF you put on a hat you will look like him
Especially from the side - lunch on Friday
Truck picture
Hold up a mirror and ask: “When you look in the mirror, who do you see?
Is it just your face, hair, and clothes
Or is there more to who you are?”
Many people try to find their identity in:
Most people try to find their identity through several key sources, with relationships and achievements being the most common
Many people look outside themselves for identity because it can be easier to adopt
This is what drives the reason for:
Acceptance
Recognition
Respect from others
Which motivates us as individuals to conform to group norms or external expectations.
Sports
Why does it seem that it is always sports that come up first?
Video//Online games
Hobbies
Grades
Popularity
Appearance
Social media
What are those around you saying?
Do you really know who you are communicating with?
Before posting, ask: “Am I trying to get people to like me—or am I reflecting who I am in Christ?”
All these things can and will change
Appearance - I definitely changed in looks
Grades do not matter to me
I am a legend in my own mind
Sports – enjoy watching baseball in person but do not play it anymore
Social media – it does not matter to me how many likes I get
I do not post much
Side note – what you post is there forever
Main Scripture:
Let’s stand - and Read
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Your Identity Is Not in What You Do
The world says: “You are what you achieve.”
But achievements, popularity, and status can fade.
Trophies fade, get discarded
The feelings get hurt when you are not the main player
Friends will change
Research suggests that 35% of high school friendships remain by early adulthood, but the percentage drops as people age.
By age 25, some longitudinal data indicate that the rate of preserving close friendships from high school is typically below one-third, with most people reporting that they have lost more friends than gained since turning 25.
Approximate percentages:
At age 25: About 35% of high school friendships remain.
At age 30: The number likely falls below 25%, though specific large-scale statistics are limited.
In summary, it is uncommon for the majority of people to retain close high school friendships into their late 20s and early 30s, with the percentage steadily decreasing as adulthood progresses.
God doesn’t define you by your talents, looks, or social standing.
Example:
A sports star can get injured
A good student can have a bad test day
But that doesn’t change how God sees them.
Your Identity Is Found in Who God Says You Are
When you believe in Jesus, trust Jesus, surrender to Jesus your identity changes forever.
The Bible says:
You are a child of God John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”
You are forgiven 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Bad Days: When you mess up, remind yourself—"This mistake doesn’t change who I am. I am still God’s child.”
You are chosen: John 6:44 “
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”
These verses emphasize that God’s choosing is grounded in His love, grace, and divine purpose—not human merit. They also reflect the responsibility and calling that comes with being chosen by God.
You are loved Romans 8:38–39
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Who you walk with Psalm 1:1
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”
Friend Pressure: Remember you don’t need to fit in with everyone; you already belong to Jesus.
Walking with Jesus: Galatians 5:16 “
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
These verses illustrate that to walk with God is to live in His presence, follow His commands, and maintain a relationship built on faith and obedience.
Knowing Who You Are Changes How You Live
If you know you’re loved and accepted by God, you don’t have to chase approval from others.
Your identity in Christ gives you confidence to live differently
Show kindness,
be honest,
stand firm in your faith.
Be willing to serve: Philippians 2:3–4
Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.
Media team
Puppet ministry
Ambassador ministry
Closing Challenge:
Hold up a blank name tag and say: “If you could write ONE word that describes who you are in Christ, what would it be? Loved? Forgiven? Chosen? Write it down as a reminder this week.”
Key Takeaway:
"I am not defined by my mistakes, successes, or what others think of me. I am defined by who God says I am—His child, loved, forgiven, and made new in Christ."
