Knowing Your Identity

Introduction

This weekend we are going to be talking about a concept called “inner armor”

When a soldier goes to war, he or she wears armor right?

Well we also need to develop inner armor through identity, character , etc...

So how do we develop this inner armor?

Today’s session we are going to be talking about “identity”

You are not just another kid

When I say the word “identity” what do you think of? What all makes up your identity?

When in your daily life do you feel confident?

Who are people you feel like you have to prove yourself to?

E.g playing basketball for myself

How does the ‘you’ at school differ from the ‘you’ at home or at church? or Who are people that you act differently around?

Your identity

Anytime we struggle being confident, work to please others, or act like someone else around certain people, we probably are not getting the full picture of our identity.

But understanding our identity is so important, so we are going to talk about identity, but to start there is one thing you have to know and it is this: (and this is the first answer on your worksheet)

You are not just another kid

You are not just another kid

You are not just another kid

This weekend we are going to be talking about David in the Bible.

Would you say that David was “just another kid?”

What do you think of when you think of the Bible character David?

When we think of David, we think of a brave man that:

Fought Goliath

Became King

Led Israel in many war victories

He is like a Biblical legend and hero right?

But did you know that David was just an ordinary youth, that was really overlooked?

He was young (about your age)

He wasn’t considered a leader

People didn’t believe in him

He lived in obedience to his parents

He was a shepherd boy

David appeared to be “just another kid,” but God used him in incredible ways. Now all of us might not slay giants, but God has a unique plan and calling for each of your lives.

Your identity comes from God

What God says about you is what shapes your and my identity!

Activity - If God were to tell you what He thinks about you, what would He say?

Write down 3 things that you believe God thinks about you!

What are some things we wrote down?

He calls us his friend -

Wants us to have a full life -

We are accepted -

Desires our renewal -

Chosen to bear fruit -

God has told us some things that he thinks about us!

God made you UNIQUE

Psalm 139

God has BIG PLANS for you

What are your gifts and talents that can be used to help others and to glorify God?

Before David became the King of Israel, he was a shepherd leading and taking care of sheep. God knew what He was doing when he made David the youngest (because it meant he would probably have to watch the sheep) and God used his time as a shepherd to help develop him into the person he became.

Why do you think God put you in your family, school, or church? What might he be teaching you?

Your EXPERIENCES matter

We have all had good days and bad days, but do you realized that all your experiences can teach you something. They all matter!

What are some hard experiences you have gone through, and what have you learned from them?

Knowing God = Knowing Us

If that is the case it means this: the more you know about God, the more you’ll know who you are!

Here are 3 practical ways that you can get to know God more:

Spend time with people WHO KNOW GOD

“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”

Mentor - Talk of my mentor

Group Bible studies

Friends we choose - “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (NIV)

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Read the BIBLE

I know it can be hard to read and understand the Bible sometimes, but this is so key in understanding God.

Maybe just start out by trying to read 5 minutes of the Bible each evening before you go to bed, or in the morning before your day starts.

TALK to Him

How good would your friendships be if they only talked to you when things were bad and when they really wanted something from you?

Say little prayers throughout the day

Going on a prayer walk