Created in God’s Image

The Price Tag Shuffle

This game is meant to be silly and a little chaotic. It helps everyone relax and laugh before getting serious. You will need sticky notes, markers, and a timer. Before the session, write random “price tags” on the sticky notes. Use things like $5, $20, $1,000, “priceless,” “clearance,” or even odd ones like “buy one get one.” Stick one note on each person’s back without letting them see it.

Tell the group that their job is to figure out their “value” by how others treat them. For five minutes, everyone walks around and interacts with each other based on the price tag they see. They can greet people warmly, ignore them, act impressed, or act bored. No one is allowed to say the price out loud. When time is up, have everyone guess what their price tag said before revealing it.

After the reveal, take a moment to let the laughter settle. Some youth will feel amused. Others might feel awkward or surprised. That reaction is part of the point. Make sure the tone stays light and kind. This is not about teasing. It is about noticing how behavior changes based on perceived value.

Follow-Up Questions for the Group

• How did people treat you during the game, and how did it make you feel?
• Did your guess about your price match how you were treated?
• Was it easier to be kind to some people than others? Why?
• Did anyone feel uncomfortable or left out during the game?

That game was silly, but it showed something real. In just a few minutes, people were treated differently based on an invisible label. No one actually changed as a person. Only the label changed. Yet behavior shifted quickly. That happens in real life too, even if we do not always notice it right away.

Every day, the world puts labels on people. Some labels come from grades, clothes, money, sports, or social media. Others come from rumors, mistakes, or family situations. These labels can affect how people are treated and even how they see themselves. Over time, it can start to feel like those labels define who you are.

Now we are going to hear a different message. Scripture tells us where our worth really comes from. It does not come from a label or a price tag. It comes from God. As we listen to the reading and move into discussion, keep that game in mind. Think about the labels you carry and what God says about you instead.

God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.”

God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.

Genesis 1:26–31

When you hear the word worth, what comes to mind? Many of you have probably thought about grades, sports, looks, friends, or money. You might think your worth goes up when people notice you and goes down when they ignore you. That way of thinking is very common. You see it every day at school, online, and even at home. But this way of measuring yourself will never bring peace. It keeps you anxious and always trying to prove something.

Think about how often you compare yourself to others. You might look at someone’s clothes, phone, or social media posts and feel like you do not measure up. Or maybe you feel proud because you think you are doing better than someone else. Both reactions come from the same problem. They place your value on things that change all the time. Possessions break. Popularity fades. Skills grow and then weaken. If your worth depends on these things, then your sense of value will always feel shaky.

God offers a different answer. In Genesis, we hear that God created human beings in His image. That means your worth started before you ever did anything. Before you spoke your first word or made your first mistake, God already saw you as good. Your value does not depend on your talents, your future job, or how much money you might make. It does not depend on your grades or your athletic ability. It does not even depend on how strong your faith feels right now. God’s choice to create you gives you dignity that nothing can erase.

When God finished creating the world, He looked at everything He made and called it very good. That includes you. God did not say, “This is good, but only if they succeed.” He did not say, “This is good, unless they fail.” He called it good because it came from Him. When you understand this, it can change how you treat yourself. You do not have to hate yourself for your mistakes. You can take responsibility and grow, while still knowing you are loved.

Knowing your worth also changes how you treat other people. If every person is created in God’s image, then every person matters. This includes the people who annoy you, the people who are different from you, and the people who seem weak or ignored. The world often treats people as valuable only when they are useful or impressive. God does not think this way. He looks at each person with love, even when others look away.

You might wonder where your friendships and family fit into all of this. Relationships are important. God created us for community. But your worth does not come from how many friends you have or whether you are dating someone. Those relationships are gifts, not measurements. When you know your worth comes from God, you are freer in your relationships. You do not have to cling or pretend. You can be honest and kind because you are not trying to earn value.

You might also wonder about the future. Many of you feel pressure to succeed and to plan your life early. It is good to work hard and use your gifts. God wants that for you. But your worth does not rise or fall with your success. Even if plans change or dreams fall apart, your dignity stays the same. God does not love you for what you might become. He loves you because you belong to Him.

This is why faith practices matter. Prayer, Mass, Scripture, and community help remind you of who you are. They pull you away from the noise that tells you that you are only as good as your last achievement. When you spend time with God, you slowly learn to see yourself the way He sees you. This takes time, and it is okay if it feels hard at first.

So when you ask, “What is my worth?” remember this answer. Your worth comes from being created and loved by God. Nothing you do can add to it. Nothing you fail to do can take it away. You are valuable because God says you are. That truth can steady you, guide your choices, and give you hope, even on days when everything else feels uncertain.

Invite everyone to listen with respect and patience. Remind the group that sharing is optional and that no one has to speak if they are not ready. Encourage honesty, not “right answers.” Keep the focus on personal reflection, not fixing or correcting others. What is shared in the group should stay in the group. Your role is to guide the conversation gently and make sure everyone feels safe and valued.

• When you think about the word worth, what messages do you hear most from school, social media, or friends?
• Can you name something you sometimes use to measure your value, even if you know it should not define you?
• How does it feel to hear that your worth comes from being created in God’s image?
• What part of your life makes it hardest to believe that God calls you good?
• How might your choices change if you truly believed your worth could not be taken away?
• How do you usually treat yourself when you make a mistake or fail at something?
• What difference does it make to know that God values every person, even those the world ignores?
• How does knowing your worth affect the way you treat people who are different from you?
• What helps you feel close to God and remember who you are in His eyes?
• What is one truth from today’s discussion that you want to remember this week?

This week, take a simple challenge. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Notice the moments when you feel tempted to measure your worth by grades, looks, popularity, or success. When that happens, pause and remind yourself that you are created in God’s image and called good. You might say a short prayer, write a note on your phone, or keep a verse nearby that helps you remember who you are.

Also, look for one way each day to treat someone else as valuable because they are made in God’s image. Sit with someone who seems left out. Speak kindly instead of sarcastically. Put your phone down and really listen. You can also spend a few quiet minutes with God each day, even if it feels awkward. These small choices help turn what you learned into real life.

Let us quiet our hearts and place ourselves in God’s presence.

Loving God, thank you for creating each of us in your image. Thank you for calling us good and for loving us before we ever did anything to earn it. Help us to remember that our worth comes from you, not from what we own, achieve, or post for others to see.

When we doubt ourselves or feel pressure to prove our value, remind us of your truth. Heal the places where we feel broken or not enough. Teach us to see ourselves with your eyes and to treat others with the same care and respect.

Stay close to us this week. Guide our choices and our words. Help us live as your beloved children, confident in your love. We place our trust in you and thank you for the gift of who we are. Amen.

Themes

• Created In God’s Image: Catholic teaching begins with the belief that every person is made by God. This gives each life value from the very start. Nothing can remove this gift.
• God Given Dignity: Human dignity comes from God, not from success or skill. It does not depend on age, health, or strength. This belief guides how Catholics treat all people.
• Called Good By God: God looked at creation and called it good. This includes every human life. That goodness remains even when people struggle or fail.
• Loved Before Action: God’s love comes before anything we do. We do not earn it through good behavior. We respond to it with trust and faith.
• Made For Relationship: People are created for relationship with God and others. Faith grows in community, not isolation. This shapes how Catholics live and worship.
• Equal Worth For All: Every person has the same value in God’s eyes. No one is more important than another. This belief challenges pride and judgment.
• Respect For Life: Catholic teaching protects human life at every stage. Worth does not fade with weakness or age. This lesson supports care for the vulnerable.
• Christ Shows Worth: Jesus treated each person with care and attention. He welcomed those others ignored. His actions reveal God’s view of human value.
• Faith Shapes Identity: Identity is rooted in God’s love, not labels. This helps believers stand firm in changing situations. It brings peace and direction.
• Freedom From Comparison: Catholic faith frees people from constant comparison. Worth does not rise or fall based on others. This allows joy and gratitude to grow.
• Hope In God’s Love: Knowing our value gives hope in hard times. God’s love does not disappear during failure. This truth supports trust and perseverance.
• Living With Purpose: Knowing our worth leads to meaningful choices. People act with care when they know they matter. Faith guides how that purpose is lived.

Background Material

This lesson plan fits deeply within Catholic teaching about human dignity and identity. From the beginning of Scripture, the Church teaches that every person has worth because God created them. Genesis tells us that God made human beings in His image and likeness. This truth is the foundation of how Catholics understand the value of every human life. It comes before any discussion of sin, success, or failure.

The Church teaches that being made in God’s image gives each person dignity that cannot be lost. This dignity does not depend on age, health, ability, or achievements. It does not come from approval or usefulness. It comes from God alone. This lesson plan helps youth hear that message clearly and apply it to their daily lives.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this teaching in simple but strong words. It says, “The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God” (CCC 1700). This means dignity is not earned. It is given. The Catechism also teaches that every person is created out of love and held in existence by love. God does not stop caring for us when we struggle or fall.

Catholic teaching also says that humans are created for relationship. We are made for communion with God and with each other. The Catechism states, “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God” (CCC 27). This lesson plan reflects that truth by pointing youth toward prayer, worship, and community. It shows that knowing our worth helps us grow closer to God.

This understanding of dignity shapes how Catholics view others. Because every person is created in God’s image, every person deserves respect. This includes the poor, the sick, the unborn, the elderly, and those who are ignored or rejected. Catholic teaching rejects the idea that worth is based on strength, beauty, or success. This lesson plan helps youth see why kindness and respect matter, even when it is difficult.

Jesus reinforces this teaching through His actions. He spent time with people others avoided. He healed the sick. He welcomed children. He forgave sinners. Through His life, Jesus showed that God’s love is not limited to the strong or successful. This lesson plan helps youth connect that message to their own experiences of pressure and comparison.

Catholic social teaching also flows from this belief. The Church teaches that society should protect human dignity and promote the common good. Youth who understand their own worth are better prepared to stand up for others. This lesson plan lays that groundwork in a clear and age-appropriate way.

By grounding worth in creation and God’s love, this lesson plan stays faithful to Catholic teaching. It gives youth a truth they can return to again and again. They are valuable because God created them and calls them good. This belief supports faith, hope, and love in everyday life.

Music Suggestions

• How He Loves by David Crowder Band
• Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray
• Hold Us Together by Matt Maher