Students will be reminded that even in times of difficulty they can be different because they have been set apart by God for good works.

 

Ask students to share something that they feel is different about them from everyone else. 

Ask them if they like the thing that is different about them? Why/Why not?

Share your own story about something that is different about you. Maybe something you felt was different about you when you were younger. Share whether or not you struggled with that and how you deal with it today.

 

Share with the group that we are all different. We all have things about us that make us different. Differences however can be a good thing. We must learn to embrace the things about us that make us different and unique. God created each of us in His image but also with all of our different qualities. Let’s watch the video.

 

Hand out the Student Guides. Encourage students to watch the video carefully. Have them write down any words or phrases that catch their attention. Ask them to focus on words or phrases that speak to being different.  

 

Ask students to share the words or phrases they have written down. Ask them to explain why those phrases caught their attention. Be prepared to share your own list to give them an example.

 

Pass out Bibles. Say, “As we discussed earlier, we all are different. God created us different so that through our differences we could glorify Him more. Let’s look at some other verses from scripture that point to this truth.”

 

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Ask, “The King James version uses the phrase “peculiar people.” What do you think that means?”

 

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Say, “As Christ followers, we are supposed to be different from the rest of the world. Not because we are better, just because we are forgiven.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” Ask, “What does this verse say to you?” “What does it mean that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

 

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

 

1 Peter 1:6-9 – “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

 

Say, “Remember, we are all different. God has uniquely created each of us to display His glory to a lost and dying world. Sometimes we even go through difficulties that help us become the person that God desires us to be. Your differences are what makes you unique. Don’t worry about being someone you are not. Embrace your differences and be the person that God created you to be.”