Tonight we're going to be thinking whom we are, the way we are, and the
times we try to be something that we aren't. To help us think about this,
we're
going to watch the music video for "Complicated" by the lovely Avril Lavigne.
[Watch video - mail me if you can't get hold of a copy. Note the
video is available on 'my world' DVD ]
The Middle Bit
I think the video we just watched tells a story. What do you think
it's about?
A guy she liked the way he was…
But he kept thinking he had to do other things to impress her.
How that complicated things for her
Do you think people sometimes show off or pretend to be things they
are not?
Can anyone give an example of when someone has done this?
What happened?
[Give an example]
Why might people sometimes pretend to be something they are not?
Want to impress someone
Think they aren't good enough as they are
Is pretending to be something you aren't a good idea?
You get found out eventually once people get to know you
Like it says in the song, things get complicated...
People might like you for who you are anyway.
Wouldn't you rather be known for who you really are?
Personal example from Nigel/Rachel/Dan/Jonathan(?). E.G. for me
(Jonathan): When I was at school I decided that instead of pretending I
didn't really bother with this Christian stuff I didn't hide it, so people
found out. Some people took the mick at first, but after a while people
started to respect me for it, some even asked me to pray for stuff for them,
e.g. exams.
Some people would say we are the way we are for a reason. What do you
think of that idea?
Reading: Jeremiah 1 Chapter 3 Verses 4-5: "The Lord said: “Before I made
you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart
for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
What do you think this reading is saying?
God created us the way we are
He took care creating us the exact way we are
We are the way we are for a reason
Conclusion
God loves us as we are, and for who we are. He also made us for a purpose
and we are the way we are so we can fulfil that purpose.
Sometimes there are things that can stop us being who we really are, and I
think it would be good to stop and think about those.
I've got some pieces of paper in the shape of people here.
On one side write the kind of person you think you are and the good things
about you.
On the other side write the kind of things that stop you being what you
want to be.
Pin it up so that the side with the things that stop you being what you
want to be are hidden.
