To study, in a group, how family, media, friends, and faith complement and compete with each other to determine how one defines oneself.

OVERVIEW

Youth workers can help young people understand how different authoritative influences define one's sense of identity and teach them to think intelligently about those influences.

LEADER PREPARATION

• Ask some young people what defines their identities. Find out how they describe themselves and what makes them feel good or bad about themselves. Also ask them what they need to make them satisfied with who they are becoming.
• Review the media. Search current movies for clips that describe of some of the inner and outer traits influencing your youth group. Collect scenes that depict group stereotypes (jocks, rockers, etc.) for the group presentation.
• Survey your own youth group for the five strongest influences defining them.

GROUP BUILDING

Divide the group into any category that demonstrates how shared variables can influence how we identify ourselves and others (i.e., hair color, birth order). Ask participants to discuss similar and different experiences related to this variable.

GROUP PRESENTATION

• Discuss briefly how people define themselves by both shared and unique experiences.
• Show the movie clips. Encourage them to comment on any scenes that reflect with how they define themselves. Take note of comments and use them in later discussion.
• Ask any of the following questions:
  • What or who influenced this character to express him- or herself this way? How does that relate to how he or she might see or identify him- or herself?
  • Can you relate to similar influences in your life?
  • Who tells you who you are? Friends? Parents? Family? Media?
  • How does God tell us who we are? How does our shared experience as a community of faith help to tell us who we are?
  • As appropriate to the group, present passages of scripture that show how God defines us. A text search of the terms "I am" and "You are" will provide a good list of biblical traits for identity.

GROUP DISCUSSION

• What differences are there between how God and society define a person? Differences between God and family? And friends? And yourself?
• What does it mean to be a person of faith in this country, in this state or region, in this city or town, in your school, and in your family?
• How is your sense of identity affected by this youth group?
• How can this youth group more effectively help you understand Godly traits of your identity?

WRAP-UP

A young man, David, was one of the youngest of a large family, so he was given the job of heading the sheep. From that job, he became a court musician of King Saul, then a warrior, and finally a King himself. Working out his identity and direction in life wasn't easy. For a few of his thoughts, check out Psalm 139. Psalm 139 offers several ideas that will protect you from negative messages transmitted by family, friends, and the media.

EVALUATION

Talk to several participants in the following week. Discuss their responses with your leaders.

Robert Jackson and Dean Borgman cCYS