Dig In Discipleship: True Identity

True Identity is part of the exciting Dig-in Discipleship study series which gets kids aged 10–12 digging into God’s word as preparation for youth group and high school.

Combining fun games and activities for individuals and groups, True Identity unpacks Colossians 3:12–17, which teaches us how to live as children of God. Each verse reminds us of our true identity and the actions that spring from our position in God’s family.

Also available: Pastures, Paths and Parties Follow the Leader Battle Gear

ISBN 978-1-922000-92-7

9 781922 000927

study 1

The chosen ones

PART 1

SA

M

PL E

Think of a time when you were chosen to do something you really wanted to do.

Write about, or draw it here.

Who chose you? _______________________________________________________________________ Why were you chosen? _______________________________________________________________________ How did you feel about this? _______________________________________________________________________ 13

study 1

The chosen ones

PART 1

SA

M

PL

E

Think of a time when you were chosen to do something you really wanted to do.

Write about, or draw it here.

Who chose you? _______________________________________________________________________ Why were you chosen? _______________________________________________________________________ How did you feel about this? _______________________________________________________________________ 13

study 1

The chosen ones

PART 1

SA

M

PL

E

Think of a time when you were chosen to do something you really wanted to do.

Write about, or draw it here.

Who chose you? _______________________________________________________________________ Why were you chosen? _______________________________________________________________________ How did you feel about this? _______________________________________________________________________ 13

Look up Colossians 3:12. Tick the word that correctly answers all of the following questions.

Who chooses us?

Who loves us?

Who makes us holy?

Dad

God

Grandpa Puppy

Santa

Teacher

Friends

Next-door-neighbour

Minister

Little Brother

PL E

Mum

Priest Big Sister

Stop for a minute and consider the God who loves and chooses you. What words would you use to describe him? _______________________________________________________________________ John 3:16–17

SA

Matthew 19:26

M

Read the following verses and write your own ‘Amazing God’ announcements:

14

Acts 2:32

Colossians 1:16

Amazing God—sent his own son so I could have eternal life!

PART 2 To be ‘holy’ means to be without fault before God: completely perfect, without sin, and made right again. (Note: It does not mean full of holes—that would be ‘holey’!)

‘Sin’ is the Bible’s word for anything (actions, thoughts, words) where people choose their own way over God’s way.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 HOLY

M

UNHOLY

PL E

Think about this definition of the word ‘holy’. How naturally holy are you?

Look up Romans 6:22–23 and discuss the following questions.

SA

1 What is the natural consequence of sin? _______________________________________________________________________

2 How does God deal with our sin? _______________________________________________________________________

3 What are the benefits of life in Christ Jesus? _______________________________________________________________________

4 If you trust in Jesus, how holy does God see you? Mark your answer on the line.

1 UNHOLY

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 HOLY

15

PART 3

1 If you were chosen for the following roles, what would you wear?

A skydiver for a cola commercial _________________________ Part of a scientific expedition to Antarctica _________________________ An actor in a movie called Planet of the bears ________________________

PL E

2 Would any of these roles change the way you lived? Why or why not? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

M

Consider the ‘outfit’ listed in Colossians 3:12 and give yourself an honest score out of 10 (where 1 is ‘not-at-all’ and 10 is ‘always’.)

How compassionate are you?

/10

How kind are you?

/10

How humble are you?

/10

How gentle are you?

/10

How patient are you?

/10

What’s your total score?

/50

What do you think Jesus’ score would be?

/50

The difference between us and Jesus is huge. We can try harder to be kind and gentle and so on, but that sounds like a lot of work and like the lies that were being taught in Colossae all those years ago. The good news is that, as Christians, we don’t have to be more like Jesus in our own strength.

16

Look up Colossians 1:10–11. Where does our strength and power to live like Jesus come from? _______________________________________________________________________ Take a look at the list of ‘fruit’ from Galatians 5:22–23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

22

PL E

Circle the virtues that are the same as those in Colossians 3:12.

Tricky question:

What do you think the connection is between our identity as ‘God’s people, holy and dearly loved’ and our attitudes of ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’?

M

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

_______________________________________________________________________

Spend some time thinking about how much God loves you. Thank him for his love and ask him to help you grow by his Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus.

If you don’t think God loves you, or you are unsure, find someone who has been following Jesus longer than you and talk to them about it.

A good question to ask might be: How do you know that God loves you?

17

Colossians 3:12–17 is a wonderful passage that teaches us how to live as children of God. Each verse reminds us of our true identity and the actions that spring from our position in God’s family. As you progress through this study you will build a unique identity kit to help you remember all that you’ve learned. Glue or tape an envelope to the inside cover of this booklet and use it to store your collectable cards until you have assembled the kit in Study 6.

Identity Card 1: Chosen by God

PL E

You are not just anybody—you have been chosen by God to be his child!

M

Download your first ID Card template from www.discipleship.net.au Complete all the required details on your card and attach a passport-sized photo to the designated space. Store your ID Card in the storage envelope (as explained above) until Study 6.

Colossians 3:12

SA

Clothe yourself in Colossians 3:12 this week.

Allocate one colour for each quality listed: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Every time you get dressed this week practise the memory verse by clothing yourself with a different coloured item to represent each quality. Your ‘clothing’ could include: backpacks, ribbons, pieces of coloured wool, arm bands, socks, shoelaces, earrings, zinc cream etc.

Test date Colossians 3:12

18

Checked by Person #1

Checked by Person #2

Memorised?

Yes/No

Look up Colossians 3:12. Tick the word that correctly answers all of the following questions.

Who chooses us?

Who loves us?

Who makes us holy?

Dad Grandpa

Puppy

God

Santa

Teacher Friends

Next-door-neighbour Minister

Little Brother

E

Mum

Priest Big Sister

PL

Stop for a minute and consider the God who loves and chooses you. What words would you use to describe him? _______________________________________________________________________

John 3:16–17

SA

Matthew 19:26

M

Read the following verses and write your own ‘Amazing God’ announcements:

14

Acts 2:32

Colossians 1:16

Amazing God—sent his own son so I could have eternal life!

PART 2 To be ‘holy’ means to be without fault before God: completely perfect, without sin, and made right again. (Note: It does not mean full of holes—that would be ‘holey’!)

‘Sin’ is the Bible’s word for anything (actions, thoughts, words) where people choose their own way over God’s way.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

PL

1

E

Think about this definition of the word ‘holy’. How naturally holy are you?

HOLY

M

UNHOLY

10

Look up Romans 6:22–23 and discuss the following questions.

SA

1 What is the natural consequence of sin? _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

2 How does God deal with our sin? _______________________________________________________________________

3 What are the benefits of life in Christ Jesus? _______________________________________________________________________

4 If you trust in Jesus, how holy does God see you? Mark your answer on the line.

1 UNHOLY

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 HOLY

15

PART 3

1 If you were chosen for the following roles, what would you wear?

A skydiver for a cola commercial _________________________ Part of a scientific expedition to Antarctica _________________________ An actor in a movie called Planet Of The Bears ________________________

E

2 Would ould any of these roles change the way you lived? Why or why not?

PL

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

M

Consider the ‘outfit’ listed in Colossians 3:12 and give yourself an honest score out of 10 (where 1 is ‘not-at-all’ and 10 is ‘always’.)

How compassionate are you?

/10

How kind are you?

/10

How humble are you?

/10

How gentle are you?

/10

How patient are you?

/10

What’s your total score?

/50

What do you think Jesus’ score would be?

/50

The difference between us and Jesus is huge. We can try harder to be kind and gentle and so on, but that sounds like a lot of work and like the lies that were being taught in Colossae all those years ago. The good news is that, as Christians, we don’t have to be more like Jesus in our own strength.

16

Look up Colossians 1:10–11. Where does our strength and power to live like Jesus come from? _______________________________________________________________________ Take a look at the list of ‘fruit’ from Galatians 5:22–23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

22

E

Circle the virtues that are the same as those in Colossians 3:12.

TRICKY QUESTION:

PL

What do you think the connection is between our identity as ‘God’s people, holy and dearly loved’ and our attitudes of ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’?

M

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

_______________________________________________________________________

Spend some time thinking about how much God loves you. Thank him for his love and ask him to help you grow by his Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus.

If you don’t think God loves you, or you are unsure, find someone who has been following Jesus longer than you and talk to them about it.

A good question to ask might be: How do you know that God loves you?

17

Colossians 3:12–17 is a wonderful passage that teaches us how to live as children of God. Each verse reminds us of our true identity and the actions that spring from our position in God’s family. As you progress through this study you will build a unique identity kit to help you remember all that you’ve learned. Glue or tape an envelope to the inside cover of this booklet and use it to store your collectable cards until you have assembled the kit in Study 6.

Identity Card 1: Chosen by God

E

You are not just anybody—you you have been chosen by God to be his child!

M

PL

Download your first ID Card template from www.discipleship.net.au Complete all the required details on your card and attach a passport-sized photo to the designated space. Store your ID Card in the storage envelope (as explained above) until Study 6.

Colossians 3:12

SA

Clothe yourself in Colossians 3:12 this week.

Allocate one colour for each quality listed: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Every time you get dressed this week practise the memory verse by clothing yourself with a different coloured item to represent each quality. Your ‘clothing’ could include: backpacks, ribbons, pieces of coloured wool, arm bands, socks, shoelaces, earrings, zinc cream etc.

Test date Colossians 3:12

18

Checked by Person #1

Checked by Person #2

Memorised?

Yes/No

study 1

The chosen ones

PART 1

SA

M

PL

E

Think of a time when you were chosen to do something you really wanted to do.

Write about, or draw it here.

Who chose you? _______________________________________________________________________ Why were you chosen? _______________________________________________________________________ How did you feel about this? _______________________________________________________________________ 13

Look up Colossians 3:12. Tick the word that correctly answers all of the following questions.

Who chooses us?

Who loves us?

Who makes us holy?

Dad Grandpa

Puppy

God

Santa

Teacher Friends

Next-door-neighbour Minister

Little Brother

E

Mum

Priest Big Sister

PL

Stop for a minute and consider the God who loves and chooses you. What words would you use to describe him? _______________________________________________________________________

John 3:16–17

SA

Matthew 19:26

M

Read the following verses and write your own ‘Amazing God’ announcements:

14

Acts 2:32

Colossians 1:16

Amazing God—sent his own son so I could have eternal life!

PART 2 To be ‘holy’ means to be without fault before God: completely perfect, without sin, and made right again. (Note: It does not mean full of holes—that would be ‘holey’!)

‘Sin’ is the Bible’s word for anything (actions, thoughts, words) where people choose their own way over God’s way.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

PL

1

E

Think about this definition of the word ‘holy’. How naturally holy are you?

HOLY

M

UNHOLY

10

Look up Romans 6:22–23 and discuss the following questions.

SA

1 What is the natural consequence of sin? _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

2 How does God deal with our sin? _______________________________________________________________________

3 What are the benefits of life in Christ Jesus? _______________________________________________________________________

4 If you trust in Jesus, how holy does God see you? Mark your answer on the line.

1 UNHOLY

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 HOLY

15

PART 3

1 If you were chosen for the following roles, what would you wear?

A skydiver for a cola commercial _________________________ Part of a scientific expedition to Antarctica _________________________ An actor in a movie called Planet Of The Bears ________________________

E

2 Would ould any of these roles change the way you lived? Why or why not?

PL

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

M

Consider the ‘outfit’ listed in Colossians 3:12 and give yourself an honest score out of 10 (where 1 is ‘not-at-all’ and 10 is ‘always’.)

How compassionate are you?

/10

How kind are you?

/10

How humble are you?

/10

How gentle are you?

/10

How patient are you?

/10

What’s your total score?

/50

What do you think Jesus’ score would be?

/50

The difference between us and Jesus is huge. We can try harder to be kind and gentle and so on, but that sounds like a lot of work and like the lies that were being taught in Colossae all those years ago. The good news is that, as Christians, we don’t have to be more like Jesus in our own strength.

16

Look up Colossians 1:10–11. Where does our strength and power to live like Jesus come from? _______________________________________________________________________ Take a look at the list of ‘fruit’ from Galatians 5:22–23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

22

E

Circle the virtues that are the same as those in Colossians 3:12.

TRICKY QUESTION:

PL

What do you think the connection is between our identity as ‘God’s people, holy and dearly loved’ and our attitudes of ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’?

M

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

_______________________________________________________________________

Spend some time thinking about how much God loves you. Thank him for his love and ask him to help you grow by his Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus.

If you don’t think God loves you, or you are unsure, find someone who has been following Jesus longer than you and talk to them about it.

A good question to ask might be: How do you know that God loves you?

17

Colossians 3:12–17 is a wonderful passage that teaches us how to live as children of God. Each verse reminds us of our true identity and the actions that spring from our position in God’s family. As you progress through this study you will build a unique identity kit to help you remember all that you’ve learned. Glue or tape an envelope to the inside cover of this booklet and use it to store your collectable cards until you have assembled the kit in Study 6.

Identity Card 1: Chosen by God

E

You are not just anybody—you you have been chosen by God to be his child!

M

PL

Download your first ID Card template from www.discipleship.net.au Complete all the required details on your card and attach a passport-sized photo to the designated space. Store your ID Card in the storage envelope (as explained above) until Study 6.

Colossians 3:12

SA

Clothe yourself in Colossians 3:12 this week.

Allocate one colour for each quality listed: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Every time you get dressed this week practise the memory verse by clothing yourself with a different coloured item to represent each quality. Your ‘clothing’ could include: backpacks, ribbons, pieces of coloured wool, arm bands, socks, shoelaces, earrings, zinc cream etc.

Test date Colossians 3:12

18

Checked by Person #1

Checked by Person #2

Memorised?

Yes/No

Look up Colossians 3:12. Tick the word that correctly answers all of the following questions.

Who chooses us?

Who loves us?

Who makes us holy?

Dad Grandpa

Puppy

God

Santa

Teacher Friends

Next-door-neighbour Minister

Little Brother

E

Mum

Priest Big Sister

PL

Stop for a minute and consider the God who loves and chooses you. What words would you use to describe him? _______________________________________________________________________

John 3:16–17

SA

Matthew 19:26

M

Read the following verses and write your own ‘Amazing God’ announcements:

14

Acts 2:32

Colossians 1:16

Amazing God—sent his own son so I could have eternal life!

PART 2 To be ‘holy’ means to be without fault before God: completely perfect, without sin, and made right again. (Note: It does not mean full of holes—that would be ‘holey’!)

‘Sin’ is the Bible’s word for anything (actions, thoughts, words) where people choose their own way over God’s way.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

PL

1

E

Think about this definition of the word ‘holy’. How naturally holy are you?

HOLY

M

UNHOLY

10

Look up Romans 6:22–23 and discuss the following questions.

SA

1 What is the natural consequence of sin? _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

2 How does God deal with our sin? _______________________________________________________________________

3 What are the benefits of life in Christ Jesus? _______________________________________________________________________

4 If you trust in Jesus, how holy does God see you? Mark your answer on the line.

1 UNHOLY

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 HOLY

15

PART 3

1 If you were chosen for the following roles, what would you wear?

A skydiver for a cola commercial _________________________ Part of a scientific expedition to Antarctica _________________________ An actor in a movie called Planet Of The Bears ________________________

E

2 Would ould any of these roles change the way you lived? Why or why not?

PL

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

M

Consider the ‘outfit’ listed in Colossians 3:12 and give yourself an honest score out of 10 (where 1 is ‘not-at-all’ and 10 is ‘always’.)

How compassionate are you?

/10

How kind are you?

/10

How humble are you?

/10

How gentle are you?

/10

How patient are you?

/10

What’s your total score?

/50

What do you think Jesus’ score would be?

/50

The difference between us and Jesus is huge. We can try harder to be kind and gentle and so on, but that sounds like a lot of work and like the lies that were being taught in Colossae all those years ago. The good news is that, as Christians, we don’t have to be more like Jesus in our own strength.

16

Look up Colossians 1:10–11. Where does our strength and power to live like Jesus come from? _______________________________________________________________________ Take a look at the list of ‘fruit’ from Galatians 5:22–23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

22

E

Circle the virtues that are the same as those in Colossians 3:12.

TRICKY QUESTION:

PL

What do you think the connection is between our identity as ‘God’s people, holy and dearly loved’ and our attitudes of ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’?

M

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

SA

_______________________________________________________________________

Spend some time thinking about how much God loves you. Thank him for his love and ask him to help you grow by his Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus.

If you don’t think God loves you, or you are unsure, find someone who has been following Jesus longer than you and talk to them about it.

A good question to ask might be: How do you know that God loves you?

17

Colossians 3:12–17 is a wonderful passage that teaches us how to live as children of God. Each verse reminds us of our true identity and the actions that spring from our position in God’s family. As you progress through this study you will build a unique identity kit to help you remember all that you’ve learned. Glue or tape an envelope to the inside cover of this booklet and use it to store your collectable cards until you have assembled the kit in Study 6.

Identity Card 1: Chosen by God

E

You are not just anybody—you you have been chosen by God to be his child!

M

PL

Download your first ID Card template from www.discipleship.net.au Complete all the required details on your card and attach a passport-sized photo to the designated space. Store your ID Card in the storage envelope (as explained above) until Study 6.

Colossians 3:12

SA

Clothe yourself in Colossians 3:12 this week.

Allocate one colour for each quality listed: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Every time you get dressed this week practise the memory verse by clothing yourself with a different coloured item to represent each quality. Your ‘clothing’ could include: backpacks, ribbons, pieces of coloured wool, arm bands, socks, shoelaces, earrings, zinc cream etc.

Test date Colossians 3:12

18

Checked by Person #1

Checked by Person #2

Memorised?

Yes/No