Young Life Campaigners s2

Young Life Campaigners 1-12-06 PERSONAL APPLICATION: What do you need to work on in terms of how you view yourself? What are some specific ways we can help build Having Godly Self-worth and Contentment up each other’s sense of self-worth?  Annalese thinks she is awesome. She is convinced her drawings are Picasso- Young Life Campaigners 1-12-06 like, her songs are as good as the Beatles, and her jokes make Jerry Seinfeld look dumb. Is this reality? Having Godly Self-worth and Contentment  Most little kids think they are pretty special. What do most teenagers think?  Annalese thinks she is awesome. She is convinced her drawings are Picasso- Why? like, her songs are as good as the Beatles, and her jokes make Jerry Seinfeld look dumb. Is this reality? I. PRESSURE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL WORLD  Most little kids think they are pretty special. What do most teenagers think?  How many times do you hear people in your school (or you Why?

yourself) put themselves down for any of the following reasons: not I. PRESSURE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL WORLD being thin enough, not being smart enough, not being tall enough, not being good enough at a sport, and on and on.  How many times do you hear people in your school (or you yourself) put themselves down for any of the following reasons: not  Do you every feel like everyone else is more muscular, thinner, has being thin enough, not being smart enough, not being tall enough, nicer clothes, a cooler car, nicer house, a better family, or better not being good enough at a sport, and on and on. friends?  Do you every feel like everyone else is more muscular, thinner, has II. GOD GIVES US SELF-WORTH – He Cares! nicer clothes, a cooler car, nicer house, a better family, or better 1. Some comparing is okay, but it is ______friends? for Christians to be constantly measure themselves by others. II. GOD GIVES US SELF-WORTH – He Cares! 2. Why do we often focus on our faults (and other’s faults) instead of 1. Some comparing is okay, but it is ______strengths? for Christians to be constantly measure themselves by others. Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not 2. Why do we often focus on our faults (and other’s faults) instead of one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your strengths?

Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So 3. It is an insult to God, ______, to negatively don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. compare yourself to others.  We are God’s children, each one with unique looks, gifts, and 3. It is an insult to God, ______, to negatively personalities. We are exactly the way God created us and compare yourself to others. intended us to be.  We are God’s children, each one with unique looks, gifts, and III. DON’T WORRY…GOD WILL PROVIDE: Luke 12: 22-31 personalities. We are exactly the way God created us and intended us to be. 4. We need to ______that God loves and cares for us – as we are. Appearance, III. DON’T WORRY…GOD WILL PROVIDE: Luke 12: 22-31 material possessions, and ability are not the basis of our self- worth – Christ is. 4. We need to ______that God loves and cares for us – as we are. Appearance, material  As followers of Christ, we need to apply this to others. There is little room for possessions, and ability are not the basis of our self-worth – Christ judging, put-downs, constant criticizing, inappropriate expectations, is. comparisons, and basing our expectations of others on what they do rather than who they are.  As followers of Christ, we need to apply this to others. There is little room for judging, put-downs, constant criticizing, inappropriate expectations, comparisons, and basing our expectations of others on what they do rather than who they are. PERSONAL APPLICATION: What do you need to work on in terms of how you view yourself? What are some specific ways we can help build up each other’s sense of self-worth?

1. wrong and unhealthy 2. our Creator 3. constantly remind ourselves

Luke 12:22-31 (The Message) 22He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. 23There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 24Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

25"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? 26If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? 27Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. 28If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. 30People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 31Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.