Identity Sealed

Our Identity is in Jesus Activity 1 – Mind Mapping Give each of your young people several sheets of paper and a pen and have them write “Who am I?” in the center of each of the pages. (2min. Each max) (Most wins) Get them to do a series of mind maps where they write down who they perceive themselves to be in various areas of life. Spend a few minutes on each of the following mind map topics: • Relationships – List all the different relationship roles that they have, such as brother, son, grandson, nephew, student, employee, boyfriend, etc. • Cultural – List cultural aspects of their life like religion / faith, ethnicity, language, nationality, etc. • Likes – List their favorite activities, hobbies, music, sports, TV shows, etc. • Dislikes – List the activities, music, sports, TV shows, etc. that they don’t care for • Hopes – List things that they want to do in the future, such as jobs, how many kids they want, going skydiving, etc. Your more creative young people will prefer to visualize these rather than simply writing their answers down. Therefore, have colored pens or pencils on hand so that they can draw /sketch / doodle their answers instead. Activity 2 – Compare & Contrast (Not this time) With their mind maps in hand, have them go around the room and compare who they are with the other young people. Who do they have most in common with? Are they surprised by what they find? The similarities will help your young people find common ground, something that’s particularly useful if you’re in the forming stage of a new youth group. If any find that they don’t have much in common with the other youth, celebrate the differences with them too as it means your youth group is more diverse. _______________________________ #NOTW [Not of This World] If you're a follower of Jesus Christ, you're no longer a part of this world soaked in sin. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. This life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." You're a new creation in Him; the old has passed and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). What do you think it means that we live in the world but are not part of this world? As a new creation, no longer living for yourself, how can you personally, live in the world and not be part of this world? You are worthy—even if you don't feel like it. Once you become a new creation in Him, everything changes for the better. You're given a new name. You're whole identity changes because you've been rescued and redeemed from sin and darkness and welcomed into God's Kingdom family. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." How can we find our worth in the wrong things? What are some right things we can find our worth? Your identity in Christ Do you know how special you are in God's eyes? If you don't, that's why you're still trying to fit in with the world. Here's what the Bible says about a YOU once you have a new identity in Christ: • You are His own special possession. (1 Peter 2:9, Deuteronomy 14:2) • You are treasured. (Deuteronomy 7:6 14:2, 26:18) • You are irreplaceable. (1 Thessalonians 1:4) • You are loved beyond compare. (1 John 4:19, 4:10, 3:16, Romans 5:8, 8:35-39) • You are worth dying for. (1 John 3:16, Romans 5:7-9) • You are forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1, 33-39) • You are set free. (Romans 6:18, Galatians 5:1) • You are precious to Him. (Isaiah 43:4) (Pick one and find a music video to go with it in your group) Just think about that for a minute. Don't skim over it. Don't read them like they're the same words you heard in Sunday school. Read over that list and take it in. This is YOU. If you're in Christ, this is who YOU are. This is your permanent identity. It can never be removed, messed up, forsaken, taken away, or changed. Living with Your Identity in Christ Not only is it important to understand your identity, but it's important to live life like you know who you are. When's the last time you've looked at yourself like you're God's special, chosen child? When's the last time you have made a decision with the confidence that you've been set free in His love and grace? When you see yourself as Christ sees you, others may begin to see you that way too. If you are steady and secure in your identity in Him, your actions, speech, and life will express God's love. You may find more opportunities to share the Gospel, and Christ will be all the more glorified. Remember who your Father says you are, because it's in Him where your true identity can be found. You're a child of the One True God. That's worth celebrating. You're worth celebrating. Play ‘Mended’ video and have time for prayer