Esteem

OBJECTIVE

Our thoughts, words, and deeds are all reflections of Christ. As His child, we are called to choose what is right and to do what is right in the face of wrong, always.

To make a distinction between unbiblical self-esteem and Biblical self-esteem
To get students thinking about their value as a Child of God and a member of the Body of Christ
To get students to place value in being a Child of God and member of the Body of Christ

INTRODUCTION & HOOK -2 Minutes

Close your eyes. Think about the best compliment you' ve ever received. When was it? Who gave it to you? What did that person tell you? How did it make you feel? Why did it make you feel that way?

Generally, we gain value from the way that other people look at us, from how other people see us. We start to think we are funny or smart because other people tell us we are. But other people are not the ones we should be seeking to impress, they are not the ones who know us, the real us, better than we know ourselves. This week, we think about who we really are, who we are called to be, and how we value ourselves by better understanding our role as Children of God.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 2 Minutes

Memory Verse: "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem is defined in the dictionary as: confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect.

Unbiblical self-esteem comes from our worldly understanding that self value is "me-centered" and independent

Unbiblical self esteem is competitive, it compares our worth to that of other people, it is based on material things to make ourselves feel good about who we think we are.

Christian, Biblical, self-esteem is the OPPOSITE

Biblical self-esteem comes from placing value in being part of a community, it is not about competition or being the best, it is about fellowship and service
The world is made up of individuals, and how we see ourselves life is important
- It matters who does what, when, and how
We need to be good people and fixed in an identity that is built on Christ

So what binds us together is how we see ourselves and live as individuals? How do I define myself? What is my identity? What makes me who I am?

Our relationships define us and the way we think--how we perceive ourselves

What is it that makes us, us? We need to be fixed on an identity that is clear. We get our self-esteem from our relationship with God.

Mark 3:35: For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.

What is the will of God? That we enter into His Kingdom. That we are holy.

How do we live as a brother and sister in Christ?
- Are we good brothers and sisters in Christ?
- Do we live in a way that strengthens the body of Christ?

We know we are the body of Christ, but is that the way we live? Do we live in a way that makes the rest of the body of Christ better and stronger?

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 15 Minutes

You Have Value Because God Created You.

Read Genesis 2:7: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

What does it mean to you that you were created by God?
What does it mean to you that you were created in His image and His likeness?

A lot of people have a hard time having a positive self-image. Often, we base our image on things we do, stuff we have, or other people's view of us. But if you get your value from those things, what is going to happen? At some point, you are going to feel like you have no value because those things come and go. The fact that you were created by God means you matter, and that will never change.

Have someone read Romans 8:35-39 to wrap up this point.

LIFE APPLICATION - 2 Minutes

We already know by now that our thoughts, words, and deeds are reflections of our identity. So what do we do with our thoughts, words, and deeds to promote a well-balanced, Christian view of ourselves?
Our sense of being a good person should not depend on accomplishments or gaining value from materialistic things,, but rather on who we are in Christ.
We need to humble ourselves before Him, and He will honor us. Psalm 16:2 reminds us, "I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
In order to value ourselves, we need to value Christ. In order to be confident in ourselves, we need to have confidence in Christ in us.
Christians attain self-worth and esteem by having a right relationship with God. We can know we are valuable because of the high price God paid for us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ

ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes

PART 1: Refocusing our Identity

How do we define ourselves?

Write down the skills and talents that you have. What are you good at?
Now, cross off every characteristic that is worldly, or against Christ's image of you.
- Do you place value in them? How can you reduce your value in the things that do not matter to Christ, in the things that don't glorify Him?

Highlight the characteristics that are Christ-like.

How can you use them to make the body of Christ stronger?
How can you use them to do the Lords' will?

PART 2: Christian Affirmations Worksheet

(To be continued as part of homework if no time remains)

Come up with a list of 5 Christian affirmations. Be sure to recite these 5 affirmations in the morning, in the afternoon, and before you sleep everyday. Come next week, we will discuss how it positively affected your self-esteem.

Rules for Making Affirmations:

Affirmations are about yourself. They should be about your own behavior, never someone else's.
Affirmations start with the words "I am..."
Affirmations are positive. Never use the word "not" in an affirmation. For example, instead of writing "I am not afraid to share my Christianity," you could write, "I am confidently sharing my Christianity"
Affirmations are short
Affirmations are specific. For example, instead of writing, "I am praying more often," you would write, "I am wholeheartedly praying for peace more often"
Affirmations are in the present tense"
Affirmations have a "feeling" word in them. Examples include "confidently," "successfully," or "gracefully"

SERVANT RESOURCES

Christian Ethics and Morals - Diocese of Los Angeles
Self-Esteem By H.G. Bishop Angelos
Designing Christian Affirmations Worksheet (See Attached)
Christian Affirmations Worksheet (See Attached)
Self Esteem Article - Southern Diocese (See Attached)

HOMEWORK

Pen and paper for each individual student for "Part 1: Refocusing our Identity"
Christian Affirmations Worksheet. Complete and recite every evening.