What does it mean to be “authentic”?

Data reported by CNBC shows that authenticity is an important value for Gen Z, with “67 percent of those surveyed agreeing that ‘being true to their values and beliefs makes a person cool.’”

As followers of Jesus, being authentic also means that you recognize that you can’t be who you were created to be without God’s help.

Use this youth group lesson on authenticity, based on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, to remind students that they are only “authentic” when they put aside their pride and recognize their limitations, weaknesses, and their need for help.

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

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YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON AUTHENTICITY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

Written by Carrie Busch

Bible: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; James 5:16; Philippians 2:5-11

Bottom Line: We’re only “authentic” when we put aside our pride and recognize our limitations, weaknesses, and our need for help.

OPENING GAME: IN MY WEAKNESS

SUPPLIES

  • Tape or cones 
  • Prize

GAME PREP 

Divide students into groups of four.

Use tape or cones to create a starting line and finish line. 

Note: The longer you make the “track,” the funnier and more effective this race will be.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Today, we’ll be running a relay race.

This game is going to emphasize the weakness of each of us through a team-based race.

Your team members will pair up so that there are two carriers and two people being carried.

One pair will start at the starting line, and the other pair will be waiting at the finish line.

When I blow the whistle, the “carried” person will jump in the “carrier’s” arms and they will travel (without the “carried” person touching the ground) all the way to the finish line where the other pair waits.

If the person being carried falls or gets dropped and touches the ground at all, the pair must return to the starting line and begin again.

When the first pair crosses the finish line, the second pair will make its way back.

Whichever team completes both parts of the race first wins!

To increase the challenge, have the teams run the race multiple times with different required carrying methods (piggyback, baby cradle, etc.)

TEACH

Say: The game we just played reminded us that each of us is weak alone, but together, we are stronger. 

Sometimes, it’s difficult to admit that we aren’t capable of handling life on our own. 

It’s human to have a desire to take care of ourselves and deal with whatever comes our way. 

This is evident on Instagram (or Snapchat, etc), where we highlight the best parts of our lives, and not the moments where we are struggling.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about a “thorn in his flesh.”

There has been much debate about what this thorn was.

Was Paul being literal or metaphorical?

Was he suffering from a physical ailment or an emotional or spiritual one?

Today’s lesson won’t focus on what Paul meant, but rather how Paul dealt with his “thorn” and how that relates to the true definition of authenticity.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

So, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The first thing I notice when I read these verses is that Paul begins by explaining the reason for the thorn in his flesh: “to keep me from becoming conceited.”

You see, pride or conceit is the enemy of authenticity.

God wants us to be realistic about our weakness.

Although Paul pleaded with God to remove this hindrance, God did not.

It seems that God’s refusal to remove the thorn taught Paul a valuable lesson about his own suffering and weakness.

What it teaches is that, when we understand how weak and powerless we truly are against our own sin, we become reliant on God, instead of ourselves.

This is true authenticity.

Yes, being “real” and “authentic” is recognizing that we need God’s mercy every day.

So, what do we do with this information?

Well, if we want to be authentic, then we need to be vulnerable.

In other words, we need to be willing to admit that we need God’s grace.

Thee Book of James gives us practical advice when it comes to authenticity.

He tells us that we need to tell each other about our sins.

Read James 5:16:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. 

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Does that make you uncomfortable?

If so, I completely understand!

But let’s use Paul as an example, just as we did earlier.

Paul was an evangelist, a man with a heart for God, and one who suffered through countless trials.

And he recognized the importance of confessing his many weaknesses.

After all, he confessed them to the world through the 2 Corinthians!

Imagine that your weaknesses were on display for billions of people to see!

That’s exactly the case with Paul.

If you’re worried about looking foolish or weak, consider that the most amazing men and women of God from your Bible risked the same thing!

Just like in our game today, it’s pretty uncomfortable for us to be “held up” by another person, but the verse in James tells us that that’s where we find healing!

And lastly, consider that Jesus, your ultimate role model, humbled himself to the point of death when he could have just stayed on his throne in Heaven.

Let’s close by reading Philippians 2:5-11:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why are pride and authenticity incompatible?

2. How does our culture promote pride as a positive thing instead of a destructive thing?

3. Why is it so scary to confess our sins to a trusted person or group? 

4. What do we fear is the worst-case scenario result of our vulnerability?

5. What excuses do you make for your own sin?

6. Can you think of a “thorn in your flesh” that God hasn’t removed?

Are you able to see any positive effects of that “thorn” in your walk with Christ?

7. As Christians, why shouldn’t we boast in our successes?

8. As Christians, why should we boast in our weaknesses?

Paul called himself the “chief of sinners.” 

Do you know anyone who recognizes his/her sin and freely confesses it? 

What have you learned from witnessing this person’s humility?

9. What was the result of Jesus’ humble obedience mentioned in Philippians 2:5-11?

End Lesson.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR PASS – For one year save 93% on $1,440 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through March 28!

6 Replies to “YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON AUTHENTICITY”

  1. Trish
    • October 26, 2019

    Thank you guys for making this website. May our God continue to bless you and prosper all the thing you do for the glory of His name. With all my heart, thank you

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Kristy Preston
      • October 27, 2019

      Hi Trish, Thank you for your sweet comment about our website. We are love to hear how these lessons are such a blessing to others.

      Reply
  2. Tracey
    • November 1, 2019

    You have really great lessons but it’s difficult to find lessons that have games or activities for really small classes, I have only had two children in my Sunday School class this year so it’s been a battle. Maybe each lesson could have an alternative game/activity for small classes?
    Thank you for what you are doing, keep going.

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Kristy Preston
      • November 1, 2019

      Hi Tracey, Thank you for your suggestion. I will pass it on to our writers. We are glad to hear you guys are enjoying the lessons!

      Reply
  3. Sam Taylor
    • December 4, 2019

    Ah wow! I run a discussion group at my school (95% aren’t Christians) and the people who come along LOVE these sessions. My aim is to show people that the bible is relatable to life even today and the Bible studies are perfect for this! I’m so grateful for these. God is really doing awesome things in my school!!!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Kristy Preston
      • December 4, 2019

      Hi Sam! This is great to hear! We are so happy to hear that you are able to use this lessons to reach others.

      Reply

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