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Beneath The Surface: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Identity SCRIPTURE: the Gospels DECORATING THEME: Ocean AGE GROUP: Students Who do you think you are? You might define yourself by what people see on the surface - like your style, look, abilities, or reputation. Those things might have something to do with who you are, but they don't quite capture the whole picture, do they? There is always so much more to who we are beneath the surface for each of us. But who are we, really? How can we discover who God made us to be? And how can following Jesus shape who we're becoming? In this four-week series, we'll look at four moments from the early years of Jesus' life. As we do, we'll see how God helps us discover who we're becoming and how God's words help us discover who we are. We'll also learn how t he right relationships help us discover how to grow and how Jesus helps us discover purpose . BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES God helps us discover who we're becoming. (The Boy Jesus at the Temple: Luke 2:40-52, Proverbs 2:1-6, 2 Corinthians 10:5) God's words help us discover who we are. (John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus and His Baptism]: Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 139:13-18, Romans 12:3-8) The right relationships help us discover how to grow. (Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael: John 1:43-49, Proverbs 27:17, Colossians 4:2-6) Jesus helps us discover our purpose. (The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 1:14-15, Colossians 1:9-12) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll focus on the time Jesus was a young boy in the temple and what the proverbs have to share about finding wisdom in God. Sometimes it might feel like you're expected to have your whole life figured out. But God doesn't expect that from us. He invites us to keep growing! When Jesus stayed behind in the temple, He was committed to growing in wisdom and understanding. His example shows that discovering who we're becoming takes time, curiosity, and connection with God. God helps us discover who we're becoming. This week, we'll explore Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist while a psalm from David shows us how God made us. When Jesus was baptized, God spoke directly: "You are my Son, whom I love." That moment mattered, naming Jesus' identity out loud. God's words have that kind of power for us, too. They remind us of who we truly are and who we were made to be. Instead of the world's labels and noise, God's words help us discover who we are. This week, we'll see how Jesus' relationship with Philip and Nathanael opened the chance for them to be his disciples. Philip and Nathanael didn't just meet Jesus, they followed Him together. Their relationship with Jesus gave them a new direction, and their friendship with each other helped them grow along the way. The people we surround ourselves with can call us higher, help us stay grounded, and walk with us through change. The right relationships help us discover how to grow. This week, we'll unpack the Great Commission to see how we can discover our purpose. Jesus didn't just give His followers something to believe. He gave them something to do. A mission to go, love, and teach. He gave them purpose.That purpose still applies to us today. When we stay connected to Jesus and step into what He's called us to do, we discover that life with Him is bigger than we imagined. Jesus helps us discover purpose. MEMORY VERSE: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:14 (NIV)

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