Artificial Identity Week 2
Middle & High School Students
Wednesday, October 9th
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: 
My stuff does not define me.

iGroup Discussion Questions

PREPARING FOR iGROUPS

BOTTOM LINE: My stuff doesn’t define me. 

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:17-22, 27

GOAL OF SMALL GROUP: To help students see how they might be finding an artificial sense of identity in their possessions and to point them toward choosing a more authentic motivation and sense of self.
 
THINK ABOUT THIS: In a conversation about our stuff, it’s important to keep the context of your iGroup in mind. You likely have students from all kinds of backgrounds and financial circumstances sitting in your circle. Be sensitive to those who can’t afford or don’t have the things they want, while also avoiding a guilt trip for those who do have more means and access to the things they want. Keep the focus not on the want itself. After all, it’s not a bad thing to want. This isn’t about asking students not to desire stuff for themselves. It’s about helping them learn to pause long enough to think about the motivation behind the want. Is it rooted in authenticity? Or is it rooted in something artificial? As you lead this week, help your students see the way they may be linking a part of who they are or who they hope to be perceived as with the things they have. Help them shift their thinking to be motivated by better, healthier things. 

TRY THIS: Share this challenge with your iGroup: Have you ever tried to take a spending break? Try doing it for one day (or more!). Avoid any spending on stuff you don’t necessarily need. That morning latte, the latest sneakers, the new seasonal wardrobe, the most recent tech upgrade, literally anything from Amazon—whatever it is you desire, attempt to avoid making the purchase for a designated time. Let it challenge you to consider your own motivations when it comes to your stuff.
AI: Artificial Identity
iGroups for October 9

Ask the group to answer…

1. When was the last time you were influenced to buy something you didn’t really need? Tell us about it!
2. Fill in the blank as many ways as you can: “Most high schoolers think if they just had ________, their life would be so much better.” 
3. Can pursuing more, bigger, or better stuff give us a sense of artificial identity? How? Why? 
4. In your own words, how would you describe what it means to be “discontent”?
5. How might linking our identity to what we have or don’t have cause discontentment?
6. What might change for you if you looked to God to define what was real and authentic about you?
7. Whenever you find yourself wanting something new, how can you consider what might be motivating that desire?
8. Write down one step you can take to move toward appreciating how God made you? *Discuss with your group if you need help deciding and help hold each other accountable this week!

Bottom Line... My stuff doesn’t define me. 

Scripture... Mark 10:17-22, 27

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.