Exploring Identity, Belonging, and Purpose in Youth Ministry
Delve into the themes of identity, belonging, and purpose in the context of youth ministry, as discussed by John McNeill and Chris Sasser. Discover how these concepts are addressed in worship, community dialogue, and processing of teen IBP. Explore the importance of a Jesus-centered narrative over false narratives and understand the struggles and questions that youth in church face regarding their identity, belonging, and purpose.
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Identity, Belonging, and Purpose John McNeill and Chris Sasser
Our Objectives & Plan 1. Provide space for worship and encouragement 2. Provide space for community and dialogue 3. Provide space to process teen IBP
Our Objectives & Plan 1. Devotion 2. Check-In/ Sharing 3. Presentation with Discussion
Devotion Song Prayer Scripture: Hebrews 11 Mediation: Keys, Cell Phone, Wallet, God
Small Group: Check-in Sharing How are you, your family, and your church doing this week? What are some ways you see God at work in this season?
False Narrative vs. Jesus-Centered Narrative
Our kids are in search of three main things with three main questions:
IDENTITY: Who am I?
BELONGING: Where do I fit?
PURPOSE: What difference do I make?
How do you see the youth in your church struggling with these ideas and questions? IDENTITY Who am I? BELONGING Where do I fit? PURPOSE What difference do I make?
When it comes to the false narrative vs. the Jesus-Centered narrative, Fuller did research with students across the country to find out how kids are currently answering some of these questions. * Pre-COVID
I AM IDENTITY What others expect (most common) Not _________ enough My personal brand More than my label Still choosing who I am
What we want them to know about identity: I am enough in Christ!
I am not _____ enough I am what others expect I am my personal I am my personal brand brand I am still choosing who I am IDENTITY IDENTITY I am more than my label I AM ENOUGH IN CHRIST!
I BELONG BELONGING When I feel safe (most common) If we share __________________ (an experience) If I know I m needed
What we want them to know about belonging: I belong because I m a part of God s family. God is with us.
I belong if we share ___________ (an experience) I belong when I feel safe I belong if I know I m needed BELONGING BELONGING I BELONG BECAUSE I AM A PART OF GOD S FAMILY. GOD IS WITH US.
I MATTER When I m helping others (most common) If I follow the rules If I make real choices When I m headed towards a good future When I m doing God s will PURPOSE
What we want them to know about purpose: I matter because I am a part of God s bigger story.
I matter when I am helping others I matter if I follow the rules I matter if I make real choices I matter when I m headed towards a good future PURPOSE PURPOSE If I m doing God s will I MATTER BECAUSE I AM A PART OF GOD S BIGGER STORY.
As people who strive to point youth to a real relationship with God, we have to be aware of how they are processing identity, belonging and purpose.
Discussion: Q & A Final thoughts and questions?
Identity, Belonging, and Purpose John McNeill and Chris Sasser