2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Introduction: Why This Matters for Your Faith Journey
As teenagers, you’re constantly figuring out who you are. Whether it’s through friendships, social media, or school, it’s easy to feel pressure to fit in or be someone you’re not. But the Bible reminds us that our true identity comes from being in Christ. When we follow Jesus, we become a new creation—our worth and identity are no longer defined by the world, but by Him.
This lesson will help you discover what it means to have your identity rooted in Christ and how that impacts the way you live, think, and see yourself.
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- When you accept Christ, you are made new. Your past mistakes, labels, and struggles don’t define you anymore—Jesus does.
- Being a new creation means living in the freedom and identity that God gives you, not what others say about you.
- The “old” refers to the sinful life we lived before knowing Jesus, and the “new” represents the transformation that happens when we follow Him.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What do you think it means to be a new creation in Christ?
- How does knowing that your identity is in Jesus change the way you see yourself?
- Can you think of areas in your life where you’ve been holding on to “the old” instead of embracing the new life Jesus gives?
Bible Reading: Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- When we follow Jesus, it’s no longer just about what we want or how we want to live. Christ now lives in us and shapes who we are.
- This means that our identity is no longer based on external things like popularity, achievements, or appearances, but on the fact that Jesus lives in us.
- Living by faith means trusting that God’s plans for us are better than anything we could plan on our own.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does it feel to know that Christ lives in you and that your identity is found in Him?
- What are some pressures you face that try to define your identity (e.g., social media, friends, school)?
- How can you live by faith, trusting that Jesus has the best plan for your life?
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- You were created by God with purpose, on purpose. He knows you inside and out, and He made you exactly the way He intended.
- Being “fearfully and wonderfully made” means that you are valuable just as you are, and God doesn’t make mistakes.
- When you understand that your identity comes from God, it helps you to see yourself with confidence and self-worth.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to you that God created you on purpose and with purpose?
- How does this passage challenge the way you see yourself?
- How can you remind yourself daily that you are fearfully and wonderfully made?
Youth Group Game: “Identity Challenge”
- Objective: Help students see the difference between how the world defines their identity and how God defines it.
- Create two columns on a whiteboard or large piece of paper—label one “World’s Identity” and the other “God’s Identity.”
- Have students brainstorm things that define their identity according to the world (e.g., appearance, social status, talents, popularity). Write these in the “World’s Identity” column.
- Then, ask the students to brainstorm what defines their identity in Christ (e.g., child of God, forgiven, loved, chosen). Write these in the “God’s Identity” column.
- Debrief: Discuss how much of our identity is influenced by the world versus God. Encourage students to think about how they can begin to root their identity in Christ rather than what the world says about them.
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- You are God’s masterpiece, created with a purpose. Not only did God make you special, but He also has specific good works for you to do in this life.
- Your identity isn’t just about who you are; it’s also about what God has called you to do. When you live out your identity in Christ, you are fulfilling the purpose He has for you.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to you that you are God’s “handiwork” or “masterpiece”?
- How can knowing your identity in Christ motivate you to do good works and make a difference in the world?
- What are some ways you think God might be calling you to live out your purpose?
Closing Prayer
Let’s close in prayer:
“Lord, thank You for reminding us that our identity is not found in what the world says about us, but in who You say we are. Help us to live as new creations in Christ, knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Give us the confidence to embrace our identity in You and to trust that You have a purpose for our lives. Guide us to do good works that reflect who we are in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
This lesson is designed to help teenagers understand that their identity is in Christ, not in the labels or pressures of the world. It provides practical ways for them to embrace their true identity and live confidently as followers of Jesus.