Who Am I? (Part 1)

October 21, 2011

Main Point: If we want to really know ourselves, we must be willing to take a hard, long look inside to see who we truly are.

Discussion Starter: What Will You Do for $5?
Granted, this one might get a little expensive, but it’s worth it. Grab a few 5 dollar bills and a few simple supplies so you can give your students an opportunity to find out who they really are.

Say, “OK, I need 5 student volunteers up front right now. I’ve got $5 to give each of you…if you’re willing.” After getting the students up front, show them the money and then ask them if they want it. They’ll definitely say “yes!” Then tell them they have to do one of the following:

OPTIONAL: Funny videos
This isn’t necessary at all, but to help set up your discussion starter, you could play a few funny videos from the past before going into your challenge.

What would you do for a Klondike Bar? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwpBNEg7wgE

What would you do for a Klondike Bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctyQ9TXLEkQ

Transitional Statement:
OK, that was a lot of fun. Truth be told, some of those guys might have said “no” if they were asked earlier today if they would eat a sardine and eat spinach, or volunteer for dual wet willies, or chug down prune juice. They might not have thought they had it in them. In other words, they might not have known themselves as good then as they do now. How well do you know yourself? What’s inside you? Have you taken a look inside your heart to see who you really are? If you haven’t we’re gonna give you the opportunity to do so now.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

AROUND THE CIRLCE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and what we’d have to get paid to put someone else’s dirty sock in our mouth.

ASK A FEW: Do you think those students knew they had that in them?

ASK A FEW: How well do you think most people know themselves?

ASK A FEW: How well do you think you know yourself?

ASK A FEW: Are you willing to take a long, hard look inside yourself…even if you don’t like what you find?

Read the following passage:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

ASK SOMEONE: Who is the psalmist talking about?

ASK A FEW: The writer of this psalm was King David. Based on this passage, how well did he think God knew him?

ASK A FEW: Do you think God knows us as well as He knew David? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: David lists all the things he knows God knows about him in this passage. If you were writing this, what would you leave off or add?

ASK A FEW: David asks God to search his heart to see if there is anything wicked in him. If you were to honestly let God do that, what would He find deep in you?

ASK A FEW: How would God feel about what He found in you?

ASK A FEW: Would God find Himself in you?

ASK A FEW: What do you need to do to make sure God is pleased by who you are on the inside?

Wrap Up:
A few of us learned what we’re willing to do for $5. Hopefully all of us found out who we are.

It’s never easy to take long, hard looks inside our hearts. There’s so much there…good and bad. There’s usually a lot to be upset and ashamed of, too. But, we must do what David did and take a long, hard look at ourselves to see who we truly are.

I want to give you a few private minutes to do just that. We’re gonna play some worshipful music, and we’re gonna pass out the lyrics of a song that was written just for you. Yes, we actually have a song that was written for every single one of you, personally. That song is actually Psalm 139, the psalm that we read a little from, earlier.

(Pass out copies of Psalm 139 and give students a few minutes to read it over. Then, when everyone has finished reading, ask them to ponder these questions: