Leader Guide

Objective
Students will learn their identity is in Christ and how they can begin living to the fullest now.

Warm Up
Mind Map (Part 1) - Have each student write “Who am I?” in the center of a sheet of paper. They will be making a “mind map” of sorts where they write down who they perceive themselves to be in various areas of life. These could include relationships, culture, likes, dislikes, hopes, etc. DO NOT write on the back of the paper.

Transition
“Who am I?” is often answered with what we do and rarely who we are. The key is finding the difference between what we are and who we are. Once we understand who we truly are, we can live the life that God intended for us.

The Video
Watch Peabod’s “Alive” music video.

• Does it sound like he is enjoying life?
• What do you think is the reason behind his enjoyment of life?

Transition
Living the way God intended us to unlocks the ability to see the world as He does. The song mentions this when it says, “I’ll fall in love with the world again, when I step into the light.” When we live our lives fully alive in Christ it allows us to bring that same life and the light of Christ to those in the world around us.

• What stops us from living a life that is fully alive in Christ?

Bible Study
Read Colossians 3:1-3
There’s a point at the beginning of the song where Peabod says “The room is spinning no more, feet are back on the floor I missed.” When we try to live by the world’s standards, it can feel like we are spinning, but our identity in Christ gives us the foundation we need to stand.

• Have you ever gone through an “identity crisis” or known someone who has?
• Why do you think it’s important to focus on “things that are above, not on things that are on earth?”
• What do you think it means to be “hidden with Christ in God?”

Read Ephesians 1:3-14
There’s a split second in the song where Peabod questions if maybe there are other routes he could take to bring him the joy he is after. He asks “couldn’t something good amount by other routes life finds?” But ultimately the truth is found not in what we find in this life, but what we find in God. Who we are is who God is. Once we understand who God is and what He has to offer us, we can begin to understand who we are.

• What are some truths of who God says we are in this passage?
• Would you rather have the world’s or God’s identity for you? Why?

Read John 10:10
“What a time to be alive.” It’s easy to let our circumstances, mistakes, and responsibilities weigh us down, but God offers something far greater. He doesn’t want us to just go through the motions of this life, but rather He wants us to live life to the fullest and live life fully alive.

• Do you feel like there are things in life that have been stolen from you?
• How can we be sure to live an “abundant life?”

Read Ephesians 5:15-17
Peabod mentions how he is the “sum of his summers”. More than just a catchy hook, he may be saying that we are what we make time for. The time he spends on his summer matters. The time we spend on this earth matters.

• How are you spending the time that you have?
• Are you making the most of every opportunity given to us?
• What does it mean to “walk like the wise?”
• How can you make the best use of your time on this earth?
• Do you know what the will of the Lord is for your life?

Wrap Up
Mind Map (Part 2) - Have them create a mind map on the back side of their paper based on “God says I am.” Encourage them to perceive themselves the way God perceives them.

This life is too short to spend it trying to figure out who we are. Rather, we should rest in who God already says we are and live this life fully alive. It will enable us to do far more than we ever thought possible.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Self; Identity In Christ” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.