Leader Guide

Objective
Students will be reminded that we’re labeled, not by the people around us, but by God’s love.

Warm Up
Supply students with a pen and a bunch of sticker labels. Instruct them to write out all the labels given to them by others, or that they give themselves (ugly, band geek, fat, hyper, hipster, skinny, nerd, etc.). Once they’ve written on all their labels, give these instructions.

For the next 90 seconds (adjust time longer/shorter based on group size), race to put your labels on others. If you run out of labels, start taking the ones stuck on you and giving them to others. When time is called, stop what you’re doing. Keep your labels on and take a seat.

Allow time for each student to read their labels. Instruct each student to peel off their labels as they read them to the group. As each label is read, stick them to the youth leader.

• How does reading all these labels make you feel?
• Are there any labels you tend to agree with?
• Do you think your labels were deserved? Why?

The Video
For KING & COUNTRY tackles the idea of what it means to be loved by God despite the labels we may give ourselves, or the labels others may give us. Let’s watch the video!

Play the music video for “Love Me Like I Am” by for KING & COUNTRY.

Bible Study
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13

• What’s happening in this passage?
• Why is Samuel in mourning?
• Who did Samuel assume would be the next king of Israel?
• Why did he assume this?
• Do you think you’d make the same assumption? Why/why not?
• Who was actually anointed the new king?
• What do you think made David stand out to God?

Read verse 7 again.

• How does this verse make you feel?
• As Jesus followers how should we look at others?
• Is it an easy thing to do? Why/why not?

Wrap Up
Supplies needed: Prepared labels. Use words or phrases that identify who we are in Christ (Chosen, Forgiven, Worth dying for, Favored one, Blameless, Loved, Precious, Adored, Righteous, etc.)

Thankfully, God doesn’t look at us the way we tend to look at ourselves. I look in the mirror and all I see is a list of imperfections… things I wish I could change about myself. Then I remember… even with the extra weight, or the too timid personality, or the not-as-smart-as-I’d-like-to-be mentality, Christ still found me worth dying for! How amazing is that!?

My imperfect reflection is shattered in the perfect image of Christ!

I wear labels now that reflect honor and pride because I know I’m loved by a God who can look past my perceived imperfections to the creation He made. He redeemed me through Christ. There is nothing greater in this world than knowing I’ve been chosen by the God of the universe!

As students leave hand them one of the new labels to wear proudly.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Self-Image” 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.