Coach’s Corner
Warm Up
Hello everyone! Are you excited to learn about God’s game plan this week? There is so much to learn, but we have to ensure we are all on the same page before we do.
Can anyone tell me what they think the word identity means? (Take a few answers.)
Good answers! Our identity is how we describe ourselves to others – what makes us unique. So, we are going to give this a go with a game. Turn to the person next to you and describe yourself to them only using five words. For example, if I were to describe myself, I might use words like (father/mother/coach/sister).
Now it’s your turn! (Give it three minutes, then have a few kids share what they said.)
Our identity matters, and today, we will learn why our identity should always start with Christ.
Workout
The teaching texts will be Jeremiah 1:5 and Ephesians 4:22-24.
Some of the words you picked have been a part of who you were from the beginning of your life. Some have developed over time. For example, if you said (basketball player) well, more than likely, you were not a basketball player when you were one day old; you decided to make that a part of who you were as you grew up.
What if I told you that God knew you from the moment your mom had you in her belly, that He knew all of who you would be and who you would be in the future? He knows that because He created you!
“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
God has had a plan for our lives from the beginning. Even when we are unsure of who we are or where we are going, we can trust that God has paved the way for us.
God indeed created each one of us for a particular purpose. We often add unhelpful additions to ourselves based on who we think we should be. These additions usually draw us further away from who God has designed us to be. An example of an unhelpful addition might be your desire to be a famous athlete to be rich.
When we make too many additions to please our friends or to be liked here on earth, we often distract ourselves from who God wants us to be.
Read Ephesians 4:22-24.
God calls us to remove the parts of ourselves that distract us from who He created us to be. Think back to the five words you used to describe yourself. Were any of those things you want so that people will approve of you?
As we learn more about God’s game plan, we must figure out if there is any part of ourselves that we need to let go of to be closer to God. We will learn the difference between desiring what God wants and what the world wants.
Wrap-Up
- What would be an example of something the world thinks you should be? (powerful, wealthy, famous, beautiful, strong, etc.)
- What does it mean for God to create a new self? What would this new self look like?
“Lord, thank You for specially making every one of us. Show us today the areas in our life where we might be trying to impress others instead of pursuing You. Help us to base our identity on who You created us to be. Amen.”