Artificial Identity Week 1
Middle & High School Students
Wednesday, October 2nd
6:30 – 8:30

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Renowned author and theologian Henri Nouwen defined three lies about identity: I am what I have. I am what I do. I am what others think of me. This series encourages us to consider that our Creator determines our value, our worth, and what God thinks about us is the most important thing about us.

THIS WEEK’S BOTTOM LINE: 
The authentic you is honest with yourself and others.

iGroup Discussion Questions

PREPARING FOR iGROUPS

BOTTOM LINE: The authentic you is honest with yourself and others.

SCRIPTURE: John 8:31-33, Colossians 3:9-10

GOAL OF SMALL GROUP: To encourage students to see what lies they may be believing and to embrace a more authentic version of who God has made them to be. 
 
THINK ABOUT THIS: If there’s one thing middle and high schoolers value, it’s authenticity. They can sniff out what’s fake faster than you might think, and they’re put off by what doesn’t seem genuine or real. What’s interesting is that while your students look for and at times even demand authenticity from others, they don’t always hold themselves to that same standard. They may be putting up a front or delivering a persona that’s not who they really are. Why? For all kinds of reasons! They might be believing a lie about where their worth and value come from, they might be trying to change an image or hide a part of themselves they think will be rejected, or they just might be searching for who they really are. As you start the conversation on identity this week, lay the groundwork for the way you want your students to show up to Small Group during this series and beyond. No masks and no lies, but with authentic honesty to discover who they really are in God’s eyes and to show that person to themselves and others in a real, consistent way. 

TRY THIS: This series is a great opportunity for your iGroup to do a little self-reflection. Where might they be buying into one of the lies we talked about this week? If they’re not sure, encourage them to ask a trusted friend, iGroup members, or mentor to speak into where they may see them basing their identity in something that isn’t true about them. This takes some bravery, so be there for your students and make sure to give them time to talk and reflect during iGroups. Let this be their first step to embracing more of what’s true about them.
AI: Artificial Identity
iGroups for October 2

Ask the group to…

1 Describe what an identity is. 
2 List some things a high schooler might find their identity in.
3 Rate these lies we talked about today. Which one do you struggle with most and which do you struggle with the least?
   1 I am what I have.
   2 I am what I do. 
   3 I am what people say about me.
4 Look at the list above. Why do you think we believe these lies? What problems can these lies cause in your life, if you believe them? 
5 Think & share. What do you know to be true about who God says you are? 
6 Raise your hand if you believe that God loves you (and likes you!) just the way you are? Why or why not?
7 If you believe God loves you (and likes you) does that change how you feel about yourself?
8 Write down one step you can take to be a more authentic version of who God has made you to be with yourself and others? *Discuss with your group if you need help deciding and help hold each other accountable this week!

Bottom Line... The authentic you is honest with yourself and others. 
Scripture... John 8:31-33, Colossians 3:9-10

Memory Verse… Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Memory Verse Challenge…
- Take a memory verse card with Romans 12:2 to memorize. Quote the memory verse to your table leader OR a volunteer to earn a Llama Dolla!!  
- On the back of your memory verse card write down the step you plan to take everyday this week to get to know and connect with God more.