TEEN CLASS LEADERSHIP GUIDE/ Anthropology/ Who Am I? — God’s Design for Humanity

Doctrine: Biblical Anthropology Goal: Help teens understand what the Bible teaches about who we are, where we came from, what went wrong, and how God restores us.

Time: 45–60 minutes

1. Icebreaker: “Who Am I?” Guessing Game (10 min)

Setup:

Write names of famous people and Bible characters on sticky notes or print cards (e.g., Spider-Man, Taylor Swift, Adam & Eve, Jesus, Noah).

Place one on each student’s back.

How to Play:

Students walk around asking yes/no questions to figure out who they are.

First few to guess correctly win candy.

Transition:

“It’s fun trying to figure out who we are — but that’s actually one of life’s biggest questions: Who am I? Why am I here? The Bible answers that better than anyone else can.”

2. Trivia Game: “Body, Soul, or Spirit?” (10 min)

Setup:

Read aloud or show questions on slides.

Award candy or points for correct answers.

Sample Questions:

God made man from what? (Dust — Genesis 2:7)

What part of man connects us to God? (Spirit — 1 Thess. 5:23)

What part of man died first because of sin? (Spirit — Eph. 2:1)

What makes humans different from animals? (Made in God’s image — Gen. 1:26–27)

Transition:

“We’re more than just skin and bones — we’re body, soul, and spirit. But what does that really mean?”

3. Bible Lesson (25 min)

Big Idea:

We are created in God’s image, broken by sin, and redeemed through Christ.

Point 1: Made in God’s Image (Genesis 1:26–27)

We reflect God’s character: love, creativity, reason, morality.

Illustration: Hold up a mirror. It reflects you but isn’t you.

“We were made to reflect God.”

Truth Bomb: “Your value isn’t based on your vibe, your views, or your victories — it’s based on God’s image in you.”

Discussion: Why do people look for worth in looks, likes, or labels instead of God?

Point 2: Broken by Sin (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23)

Sin shattered the image; the mirror cracked.

We became spiritually dead and separated from God.

Illustration: Show a cracked mirror or phone screen.

Truth Bomb: “Sin didn’t just make you bad — it made you dead.”

Discussion: What are some ways you see brokenness in our world or in people your age?

Point 3: Redeemed Through Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10)

Jesus came to make dead people alive.

God’s image is being restored in believers.

The Holy Spirit renews us daily.

Truth Bomb: “You were made by God, broken by sin, and remade by grace.”

Discussion: How does knowing you’re made in God’s image change how you see yourself and others?

4. Identity Card Activity (10 min)

Supplies: Index cards, pens.

Instructions:

Side 1: “The world says I am…” (write a few lies they’ve believed)

Side 2: “God says I am…” (write biblical truths like “forgiven,” “His child,” “loved”)

Invite volunteers to share. Display them on a wall or cross.

Closing Thought:

“Don’t let culture define you — let your Creator define you.”

Prayer: “God, thank You for making us in Your image. Help us to see ourselves and others the way You do — made, loved, and redeemable. Amen.”

Optional Add-Ons:

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:27 or Ephesians 2:10

Follow-up Devotional: Colossians 3:10 — “Who Am I in Christ?”