Of all the important things to teach youth today, helping them understand their identity in Christ needs to remain towards the top of the list. It can be challenging to create or find great youth lessons on identity, but everything you need for an effective Bible study on this topic is found below. In addition to this topic, weāve simplified other youth group lessons for the busy youth pastor.
Youth leaders sacrifice comfort, time, and money to do what they do, so itās worth thinking through how to be the most effective Gospel Advancing leader possible. We need to prioritize helping teens understand the importance of Bible study and how it can help them ultimately decipher their true identity.Ā
Helping Students Find Their Identity in Christ
Startling statisticsālike only four percent of Gen. Z have a biblical worldview (Barna 2018)āillustrate even more clearly the need to rethink how to encourage students to engage with Godās Word and what He says about their existence and purpose. Without that biblical worldview, how will students know that they are made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) when they put their trust in Jesus? As they learn what Godās Word says, itās so important that students learn how to pinpoint the lies that Satan is using to deceive them about their core worth.Ā
Helping a student develop a greater understanding of both their shared and unique role in the Kingdom of God is extremely significant to their growth as a believerāespecially among the barrage of lies they encounter every day online, from their peers, and in the culture around them. One of the best ways we can do that is intentionally incorporating biblically-based youth lessons on identity into our programming.
Developing a Bible Study on Identity With Christ
These Bible studies can help students gain a stronger understanding of their worth. If you want to develop your own lesson, these verses about identity with Christ would be a great place to start:
āSo God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.ā Genesis 1:27
āTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!ā 2 Corinthians 5:17
āYet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12
āI praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.ā Psalm 139:14
āBut whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.ā 1 Corinthians 6:17
āNow you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.ā 1 Corinthians 12:27
āSince, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Ā Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Ā For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Ā When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.ā Colossians 3:1-4
These are just a few ideas, but there are so many different directions you could go to teach on this important topic that you may find it is easier to use some youth lessons on identity that have already been prepared by someone else.
Using Free Rock-Solid Bible Studies on Identity
Here are three great examples of a Bible study on purpose:
Youth Group 2 Go: A Case of Mistaken Identity is a great identity in Christ Bible study and focuses on the fact that each person is uniquely made in God’s image. It helps students understand how often we get caught believing in a lie or false label, and investing our entire identity in something that is not true. It asks students to think through the connections of Heaven and their identity and leads them to understand that our identity is not made of the things that we have doneāgood or bad.Ā
Hard Questions not only looks at gender and sexuality but also helps students shape a biblical identity. It shows them how to understand the truth of the scriptures and how it relates to the fundamental ways God made them. It will lead students to discuss what things theyāre tempted to find their identity in and what aspects of a Christian life are most meaningful to who they are. This self-worth Bible study will also help them think through how as Christians we are āborn againā (John 3:3), adopted into Godās family (Ephesians 1:5), and a ānew creationā (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Youth Group 2 Go: You, At Your Core is a youth lesson on the topic of purpose and it helps students understand that human beings are unique individuals, made in Godās image. It shows them our purpose in life is to live in a personal relationship with the triune God of the Bible and bring Him glory by advancing His Kingdom in all that we do and say. This lesson helps them understand that living for Christ is a fundamental change to not always put āmeā first and walks them through a simple way to remember their true identity using COREāC for centering identity in Christ, O for others, R for real truth, and E for engage.Ā
Identity is a crucial topic to explain during the critical developmental period of the teenage years. Help your students understand their purpose as believers is a combination of the unique life and personality Godās given each of us and the general purpose Heās given to all His followers.Ā
Connecting True Identity to Sharing the Gospel
What kind of words do you think your students would use to define their identity? Maybe, the first step for you is to simply start asking that question to students and leaders. Then, equip your leaders to ask teens questions and regularly remind them of their identity in Christ as part of the way they implement a disciple multiplication strategy. Ā
As the teens in your group explore self-worth and finding identity in Christ, theyāll be more and more confident in their faith. And as they grow in this discipleship journey and this confidence, theyāll be more inclined and willing to share the Gospel with peers and help them also discover an identity in Jesus.
Dare 2 Share offers, high-quality free resources to help youth pastors do this in the simplest and most effective way possible.Ā We also offer a great community of Gospel Advancing Ministries, that unites youth leaders who fully embrace and model a commitment to sharing the Gospel themselves and equipping teenagers to do the same. Find out how to continue to grow through hundreds of resources and trainings by becoming a Gospel Advancing leader!
Identity Bible Study FAQs
An identity Bible study is a series of lessons that dive into what the Bible says about our worth, purpose, and identity as Christians. It can be done individually or in a small group setting.
Youth lessons on identity cover a range of topics, from understanding our purpose as Christians to comparing Scripture with what society says about gender identity.
Understanding our identity as Christians helps us to live in alignment with God’s plan for our lives. It also helps us to resist negative influences from society and find our true worth and purpose.
You can start by checking out the resources on our website, including lesson plans, discussion questions, and activities. You can also connect with other youth leaders through a Gospel Advancing Network to share ideas and insights.