Use this free youth group lesson to teach students the importance of Identity.

Help students realize that their true identity in Christ is an amazing gift from God.

Enjoy!

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

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Youth Group Lesson On Identity

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There is an ancient Indian story that tells of six blind men who attempted to describe an elephant based on what part of the elephant they were examining with their hands. Because of their blindness, they drew some pretty comical conclusions. One felt the leg and decided the elephant was a pillar. Another touched the tusk and determined it was a solid pipe. Still another grabbed the tail and proclaimed it to be nothing more than rope. The story goes on and in the end a man blessed with sight enters and sees the whole picture, that it was, in fact, an elephant.

This story is often used by world religions to describe what they incorrectly believe to be the different paths to God, but I want to use it to illustrate how incomplete our view and understanding is of ourselves. Often, we make the mistake of finding our identity without realizing that in our blindness we have seen only a tiny part of the big picture. For example, a guy may play a sport really well so he finds his identity in the fact that he is an athlete. A girl might be really pretty and therefore she’s finds her identity in her external appearance. The problem is, this is such an incomplete picture. Jesus sees so much more when He looks at us.

 Read 1 Peter 2:9-10

“…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (New Living Translation)

What is wrong with finding your identity in the things that you can do, the way you look, the friends you hang out with, or so on? For starters, everything I just mentioned in that sentence can be taken away from you. Your actual identity, the part of you that truly and accurately describes who you are at the core of your being, cannot change. Someday you may no longer be the athlete you once were. What you see as “good looks” may change. Your true identity, is an amazing gift from God. Let’s look at a few of the things that are mentioned in those verses.

Chosen People

God, in all His amazing power and wisdom, has looked at you and said, “This is a person that I love. I want to know this person better. I chose you.”

Royal Priest

You are “royalty”, which means that you are an adopted child of the Creator of the Universe. He loves you, not as a friend or a follower, but as a son or a daughter.

You are a priest. That carries so many meanings. You have the ability to help lead others to that same incredible love that God has for you.

God’s People

You are a part of the Chosen People, those whom God has set aside as special to Him. You have the ability to change the world with His love and grace.

These are just a few of the things that the Bible says are your true identity. The best part is that no one can take that away from you. Nothing you do, no matter what life throws at you, your identity in Jesus Christ cannot be shaken or destroyed. Jesus sees the full picture of who you are. Allow Him to remove your blindness so that you can step into His wonderful light.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

In your own words, what is “identity”?

What are some of the “false” identities that people around you cling to?  (for example:  John’s identity is that he is the “smart kid”)

Why is it important to know what your identity is?

What is dangerous about finding your identity in something that can change or be taken away?

1 Peter 2:9-10 touches on a few of the ways the Bible describes our identity.  Can you think of any more?

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

End lesson.

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Youth Group Lesson on Faith

27 Replies to “Youth Group Lesson – Identity”

  1. Masline
    • December 23, 2015

    This is powerful woow thank you and God bless

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • December 30, 2015

      You’re welcome!

      Reply 1 Response
      1. David Gafo
        • August 26, 2020

        A good message

        Reply
  2. Meredith
    • January 18, 2016

    I loved how this was just two verses, but you really just took the important, deep truths out of it. This is what I needed to hear. Thanks so much!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • January 20, 2016

      Nice 🙂

      Reply
  3. dexter
    • January 30, 2016

    I really like this simple yet deep and straightforward study. Thanks! God bless you with more wisdom!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • January 30, 2016

      Awesome Dexter. Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  4. Munamati Hove
    • March 6, 2016

    Very empowering lesson, I will take it to my Youth class this Sunday.Thanks Nick and be blessed

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • March 6, 2016

      Awesome!

      Reply
  5. Annetta Sukhdeo
    • May 28, 2016

    Very Inspiring

    Reply
  6. Mincel Grace Limbawan
    • June 19, 2016

    Indeed, this is amazing! 🙂
    Can I download this for free? I believe, this topic will anchored in the hearts of our Youth in our place.. :_ Hallelujah!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • June 20, 2016

      Yes, you can download it for free. Just click the “download pdf” link and we’ll automatically email it to you. It’s a great lesson. One of my favorites!

      Reply
  7. Emily Dobbins
    • July 2, 2016

    This is what I have been looking for, except for one little part that I believe needs correcting. Please forgive me but I felt this should be pointed out. Where it says “This is a person that I love. I want to know this person better. I chose you.” God already knows us. He knows every single detail of our lives. He knows knows us inside and out. He sees our heart, our innermost thoughts. No one can know us better than God. Perhaps, it should instead read, “I want you to get to know me” instead of the other way around. Other than that, this lesson will come in handy at church camp next week. Thank you!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • July 5, 2016

      Great point Emily! What you shared is much better than what’s originally there. Thanks!!

      Reply
  8. Judith
    • August 1, 2016

    Good starting point to teach youth of their identity very simple and clear to the point. Thank you will use for my family as I have 3 youths. God bless you and continue to share the biblical truths to this world generation.

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • August 2, 2016

      Judith, that’s great. Glad to help!

      Reply
  9. kay nkomo
    • January 20, 2017

    a powerful lesson to young people

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Becky Forkel
      • January 21, 2017

      Thank you Kay. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. sereena naicker
    • September 15, 2017

    Really beautifully put.

    Reply
  11. connie
    • May 24, 2018

    love this

    Reply 1 Response
  12. Alexander
    • July 11, 2020

    Thanks. Rich, simple and well put together.

    Reply
  13. Yahs
    • March 13, 2021

    Thanks for doing this and may God continue to bless you…

    Reply
  14. Verona Mundthree
    • November 17, 2021

    Love this! Im using it for my teenagers at church. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  15. Aaron
    • November 2, 2022

    Thanks for this. So appropriate in our time especially.

    Reply
  16. Diana
    • September 8, 2023

    These are awesome lessons for our youth ,we need them rooted in Christ ,Thee solid Rock ,I love them ,may God bless you and Team in abundance ❤️🙏

    Reply
  17. Zoey Smith
    • February 20, 2024

    Thank you so much for this lesson. I am 13 years old. I am in a youth ministry myself and we don’t have a youth pastor at the moment. Usually we have someone else say our sermon but he wont be here this Wednesday. So with this presentation I am able to continue the word and teachings of God!!!!! I am so blessed to find this website and lesson plan. Bless you and everyone around you!

    Reply

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