Opening Game
Name Tag Switch
Help everyone relax, get moving, and remind them of the importance of names, which ties into the idea of their identity in Christ.
Instructions:
- Give everyone a blank name tag and a marker. Instead of writing their own name, have them secretly write the name of a famous person, fictional character, or historical figure.
- Once they’ve written the name, they stick the name tag on someone else’s back without them seeing it.
- When everyone has a name tag on their back, they mingle and ask others yes/no questions to figure out whose name they’re wearing. For example: “Am I a real person?” or “Am I alive today?”
- The game ends when everyone guesses their “identity.”
Briefly reflect on how people tried to figure out their identity.
- How did it feel to have someone else decide your identity in the game?
- Were you surprised by how people described you as you tried to guess your name?
- Do you think others’ opinions ever shape how you see yourself in real life?
That was a fun way to get moving and laugh together! But did you notice something about the game? Your identity—who you were pretending to be—was chosen by someone else. You had to figure it out based on what others told you. Sometimes in life, it can feel like our identity is shaped by what others think of us or expect from us.
In the game, your “identity” wasn’t real—it was just a name on your back. But in real life, who you are matters deeply. People may tell you who they think you should be. The world may pressure you to be popular, talented, or successful to feel valuable. But God has already given you a true identity that doesn’t depend on any of that.
Let’s read a passage from the Gospel of Luke. In this reading, Jesus sends out His disciples to do amazing things. But when they return, He reminds them of something even more important than their accomplishments. Pay close attention to what Jesus says about their identity and their joy. It’s a message that’s just as true for us today.
Scripture Reading
Read Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 (Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two): The Gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Discussion
Let’s talk about identity. It’s a word we hear a lot, but what does it really mean? Think about the question, “Who am I?” How would you answer that? You might start by talking about where you’re from, what you’re good at, or what your hobbies are. Maybe you’d mention your grades, your sports teams, or what your friends think of you. These things can feel like they define us, but is that really who we are?
In today’s Gospel from Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 of His followers to share God’s message and heal people. They come back excited because even demons listened to them! But Jesus says something surprising. He tells them, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
In other words, Jesus wants them to know that their joy shouldn’t come from what they’ve done or how powerful they feel. Instead, they should celebrate that they belong to God. Their identity isn’t based on their success, but on God’s love for them.
Have you ever felt like you had to prove your worth? Maybe you’ve worked hard to get good grades, make the team, or impress someone. It’s not bad to do your best, but it’s exhausting when you feel like your value depends on it.
What happens if you don’t win the game or your grades slip? Do you suddenly become less important? The world might make it seem that way, but God doesn’t see you like that. In God’s eyes, your worth doesn’t change, no matter what. Your identity in Christ is unshakable because it’s rooted in His love, not in what you do.
Think about this: when Jesus said their names were written in heaven, He was talking about something permanent. Have you ever seen a name written in cement? Once it’s there, it doesn’t go away. That’s how secure your identity in Christ is. God knows your name, and He calls you His own. You don’t have to earn it or fight to keep it. It’s a gift, freely given because God loves you.
But what about when life feels messy? Maybe you’ve made mistakes or feel like you’re not good enough. It’s easy to believe the lie that your failures define you. That’s when it’s important to remember what Jesus says. Your identity isn’t in your mistakes, your achievements, or what others think about you. It’s in the fact that you are a child of God. Nothing can take that away. God’s love for you is bigger than any failure and stronger than any fear.
Imagine you’re wearing a name tag that says, “Hello, my name is…” What do you usually write there? Maybe your name or something about yourself. But what if you wrote, “Child of God” instead? How would that change the way you see yourself?
When you know your identity in Christ, it changes everything. You can face challenges without fear because you know you’re not alone. You can celebrate others’ successes without comparing yourself to them. You can live with confidence because your value isn’t based on what you do but on who you belong to.
Jesus calls you to rest in this truth: you are deeply loved, completely known, and chosen by God. That’s where your identity comes from. It’s not something you have to build or protect. It’s already yours because of what Jesus has done for you. So, when you think about who you are, start here: you are a child of God, and your name is written in heaven.
What does that mean for you today? How would your life look different if you fully believed that your identity in Christ is secure? These are big questions, but they’re worth thinking about. Take a moment to reflect on how much God loves you and how that shapes who you are. Then, carry that truth with you into the world. It will make all the difference.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Facilitators, small group discussions are a great way to help youth open up and reflect on what they’ve heard. Encourage everyone to share honestly, but let them know it’s okay to just listen if they’re not ready to speak. Remind the group that what is shared stays in the group, so everyone feels safe. Keep the conversation focused on the message of finding our identity in Christ and help guide them back to this truth if the discussion wanders.
- What stood out to you most from the Gospel reading or today’s discussion?
- Have you ever felt like your worth depended on your achievements or what others think of you? How did that make you feel?
- What do you think it means that your name is “written in heaven”?
- When life feels hard or you feel like you’ve failed, how can remembering your identity in Christ help you?
- If someone asked you who you are, how would your answer change if you thought about your identity in Christ first?
- What does it mean to you to be called a child of God?
- How can knowing your identity in Christ affect the way you treat others or see yourself?
- What’s one thing you can do this week to remind yourself that your value comes from God’s love, not your achievements?
Take some time at the end of your discussion to pray together, thanking God for the gift of being His children and asking for His help to live in this truth.
Challenge
This week, challenge yourself to live like you believe your identity is in Christ. Start each day by reminding yourself that you are a child of God. When you wake up, take a moment to pray something simple like, “God, thank You for loving me and calling me Your own. Help me to live today knowing my worth comes from You.” Let this truth shape how you see yourself and how you approach the day.
When you face situations where you feel pressure to prove yourself—whether it’s in school, sports, or friendships—pause and remember that your value doesn’t come from those things. Instead of getting caught up in comparison or stress, try to act out of confidence in God’s love for you. Look for ways to share that love with others. Maybe it’s encouraging a friend, helping someone in need, or simply being kind to someone who feels left out. Living your identity in Christ means letting God’s love shine through you. Try it this week and see how it changes the way you think and act!
Prayer
Loving Father,
Thank You for creating us in Your image and calling us Your children. Help us to remember that our worth comes from You, not from what we do or what others think of us. Teach us to live each day with confidence in our identity in Christ.
When we face challenges, remind us that Your love never changes. Help us to share that love with others and to see them as You see them. Guide us to trust in Your plan and to live with joy, knowing our names are written in heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.
More Resources
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/70677/identity-in-christ-lesson/