Practical Lessons for Youth Healthy Self-Esteem Scripture References: Psalm 139:13-14; I Samuel 16:7; Genesis 1:27; I Peter

2:9 1. Write in your own words what you feel self-esteem means to you? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 2. Read Psalm 139:13-14
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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 3. How does God show us He loves us, and that we are important to Him? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

4. Read I Samuel 16:7

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But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 5. Can you think of any examples or circumstances on how God does not look on the outward appearances regarding service to Him, but on what is in the heart? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

6. Read Genesis 1:27

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So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 7. Do you believe that God would make an individual in his own image that he did not love and care for very much? Explain you answer. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

8. Read Peter 2:9

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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 9. How do we know that we are special to God? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Questions for Discussion How can I help my friend who is having trouble with selfesteem? What should I do when others treat my friend unkind? What can I do to help myself overcome low self-esteem and develop a healthy perspective on my value as a young person? How will serving God help me in this area of self-esteem?

Rev. Dr. Jeanne McIntosh July 2011.

Teachers Guide 1. Self-esteem is the confidence we have in our personal value and worth as an individual. 2. Read Psalm 139:13-14. Reflect on what you read. Ask for a volunteer. If there are no volunteers, read the passages yourself. Never force a youth to read that could cause embarrassment to them. Some do not read well. Rather than allowing them to struggle over many words, just tell them the word or explain to the class that there are some difficult words in the Bible even some that you cannot even pronounce. It is ok! 3. He created us, has a plan for our lives, and loved us enough to send his Son to die in our place. 4. Read I Samuel 16:7 - reflect 5. God is interested most of all in our motives and the condition of our heart rather than how well we can sing, play an instrument, perform, or do any kind of activity. He chooses not who WE think should do the job, but who he wants to do complete certain special tasks that will honor Him. 6. Read Genesis 1:27 - reflect 7. Read John 3:16 to the class. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son for our sins. Read Romans 5:8. Even though we were sinners, He died for us out if this great love. Read I John 3:1. He loved us so much that he has adopted us calling us his children. There is nothing that can separate us from His great love. What love! 8. Read Peter 2:9 - reflect 9. God cares even about the little things that go on in your live. He has even numbered the hairs on your head. He cares when you are hurting, when you feel rejected, when you feel no one loves you, when you feel ugly or have a secret problem that no one knows about. He cares that much for you. He is interested in all that you are going through from the smallest thing to the biggest He cares. He has made each one of us different, giving us different talents and gifts. He wants us to use these for His glory to honor Him in the Body

of Christ. Sometimes, we may try different things to see what that gift is. He will show us if we are faithful and seek Him. Questions for Discussion We need to support our friends and be there for them. Never side in against them with other friends. Be careful in kidding on certain things that could be offensive to your friend or others. Any kind of personal remark that pertains to the individual is not wise to joke about. (For example: weight, speech, facial features, body parts that are different, ect). When we serve God and spend time in prayer and the Word and our self identity is in Christ, we will not need the approval so much from others. If we are confident that we are what He has made us to be and are doing our best, we can be assured that He is pleased and take rest in that. Most people need affirmation, and that is good. We just need to be careful not to seek attention, and do what we do for the wrong motives. Rev. Dr. Jeanne McIntosh July 2011.