In the famous movie, The Lion King, Simba finds himself at a crossroads. He has lost his father, Mufasa, in a tragic accident, and blames himself for Mufasa’s death. Simba runs away from his home and family and joins up with a ragtag duo who seek to enjoy a “worry-free” life by hanging out and eating bugs all day. Simba appears to be happy, but deep down, he struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life. Then one day, everything changes.
After meeting the unique character Rafiki, Simba sees a vision of his father, who reminds him that he is not just any lion, but the son of the king. Mufasa repeats this phrase to Simba: “Remember who you are.” Once Simba remembers his identity as the son of the king and the reigning king of Pride Rock, everything about his life changes. Simba knows his purpose is to take back his rightful kingdom from Scar and rule Pride Rock with justice for the sake of his people.
Our teenagers wrestle with similar questions about who they are and why they exist. Why did God make my body like this? Am I enough? Does my life really count? Too often, they have forgotten their identity as children of the King and walk through each day apathetically, on autopilot, feeling as though there is no meaning or purpose in their lives. As youth ministers, one of our tasks is to remind our teenagers who they are in Christ. Our prayer is that they will delight in the Lord, serve him faithfully, and live their lives with purpose. Like Rafiki, we offer them a vision of who God is so they can see and remember their identity in Christ.
What it Means to be “In Christ”
Before discussing how identity in Christ gives our teens purpose, we need to understand how the Bible defines “identity in Christ.” Identity in Christ means that God has united us with Christ; we are one with him. When we hear the gospel, repent of our sin, and turn in faith to pledge our allegiance to Jesus as our Savior and King, the Bible teaches that God gives us a new identity as being “in Christ.” Christians are holy and beloved children of God (John 1:12; Col. 3:12; 1 John 3:1-3).
We are united with Christ through receiving his Spirit who lives within us. Our life is now in him and he in us (John 17:22-25; Col. 3:1-4). It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us through his Spirit (Gal. 2:20). Ephesians 1:1-14 describes the wonderful blessings of our new identity in Christ, blessings which are important to teach to and remind our teens. In Christ, we have every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3); we are chosen by God (Eph. 1:4); we are adopted as sons (Eph. 1:5); we have redemption from sins (Eph. 1:7); we receive the riches of God’s grace (Eph. 1:8); we have a heavenly inheritance (Eph. 1:11), and we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:14).
Therefore, considering our newfound identity in Christ by faith, here are three ways our students’ union with Christ gives them meaning and purpose.
Reason to Live
First, union with Christ gives teenagers a reason to get out of bed each morning. Many teenagers often struggle with depression and wonder aimlessly about what they will do with their lives. But now, as children of God, teenagers have been called into God’s mission to be co-laborers with him, making disciples of all nations. God has given them abundant life in Jesus to live life to the full, as they glorify and enjoy him in everything they do.
This means that every sports practice, school day, band recital, workday, or chore list is a “holy moment” to worship the triune God. It is an opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ and make his name great in all they say, do, and how they treat others. Teens who are in Christ also have the promise that all their work in the Lord will never be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58) and God will use it to bring abundant fruit in his time.
Reason to Learn
Second, union with Christ motivates teenagers to grow in their knowledge of God and his world. Most teens struggle to have a desire to read, study, and meditate on Scripture. It becomes easy for them to treat Bible reading as part of a to-do list. However, when they remember their identity in Christ as God’s beloved children, their “checklist” transforms into communion with their heavenly Father.
Remembering how God has adopted them into his family through Christ, helps to motivate students to grow in their intimacy with their heavenly Father—not so they can merely follow rules—but rather to enjoy their relationship with him. Additionally, union with Christ gives teens purpose in walking in God’s commands as they learn his heart through the Scriptures. As teenagers begin to understand their identity, they will see the beauty of God’s ways, which brings true peace and joy.
Teenagers also learn about God’s world through their studies in school. As mentioned earlier, teens who recognize their union with Christ can view every school day as a mission trip to share their faith with others. They can also find purpose in their academic studies. For teens united to Christ, boring algebra equations and biology lessons become opportunities to marvel at how God has created and ordered the universe. Studying history allows teenagers to see God’s sovereign hand at work in all the events that have transpired and how he is working all things for their good and his glory. A teenager’s identity in Christ helps them see that their schoolwork now matters to God and is an opportunity for them to glorify him by working hard at it for him, not for people (Col. 3:23).
Reason to Love
Third, union with Christ gives teenagers purpose in their relationships. Knowing that God has adopted them into his family by grace in Christ, students can seek to share this same love with others. In Christ, teenagers begin to see that their friends are not commodities to be used for selfish gain and personal pleasure, but rather as people made in God’s image to be cared for, loved, and served. Union with Christ empowers students to forgive others, bear their burdens, and be patient, compassionate, and gracious with them, just as Christ has treated them. This is key in the difficult process of discipleship as students seek to help their friends follow Jesus.
In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul urges us to set our minds on the things above because God has hidden our lives with Christ. Union with Christ in his death and resurrection by faith is not simply a part of our lives; it is our life and our identity. When our students remember this indicative statement that their identity is now in Christ, they will grow in motivation and empowerment to live out the imperatives of living, learning, and loving God and others for the glory of his name.
If you’re looking for support in teaching teenagers with theological depth, Rooted has resources that can help! Check out our video training courses on Rooted Reservoir.
