ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH,
NIGERIA.
RADIANT LIFE (TEACHERS GUIDE)
TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE
SEASON 14, UNIT 6.
JANUARY – JUNE, 2023.
SUNDAY, 11TH JUNE, 2023.
Unit 6: MEDIA ALERTRADIANT LIFE (TEACHERS GUIDE)
TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE
SEASON 14, UNIT 6.
JANUARY – JUNE, 2023.
SUNDAY, 11TH JUNE, 2023.
Study 2: MIRROR IMAGE
Text: Gen 1:27; Romans 4:7; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:7; 1 Peter 3:3-4
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (NIV).
>>Focus
Glamour shots and Photoshop cover a multitude of blemishes – things movie studios and fashion magazine editors would never want us to see. A little digital editing here, a bit makeup there, maybe a tummy tuck, some plastic surgery, a crash diet, and a workout programme that would exhaust a professional body builder. Those are the kinds of things today's movies, magazine covers, and advertisements have used to create a false reality. Not everyone is a 6-foot-tall, a dark tan, and no body fat. God didn't make most of us to be like that.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to look our best or wear nice clothes. It is wrong, however, to abuse ourselves with extreme exercise routines that push our bodies far beyond what is needed for normal health, physical conditioning, or reasonable weight Ioss.
As you prepare to teach this study, consider your own attitudes about your appearance and the appearance of others. Are your expectations for yourself reasonable? What about your expectations for others? If your expectations are unreasonable, resolve to seek God's help in forming realistic expectations and help your students to do the same thing.
>>The Basic Message: Explain to students...
•WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?
Today's society is obsessed with physical perfection; God is more concerned with what's in our hearts.
•WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Physical traits are temporary and superficial, but a relationship with God brings lasting fulfilment.
•HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Allow God to define your value, and seek the qualities that he desires for your life.
>>Study Overview: Explain that today's study will consider:
•Why people today are obsessed with physical appearance.
• How pursuing the media's physical ideals can lead to destructive behaviour.
•What it means to be made in God's own image.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (NIV).
>>Focus
Glamour shots and Photoshop cover a multitude of blemishes – things movie studios and fashion magazine editors would never want us to see. A little digital editing here, a bit makeup there, maybe a tummy tuck, some plastic surgery, a crash diet, and a workout programme that would exhaust a professional body builder. Those are the kinds of things today's movies, magazine covers, and advertisements have used to create a false reality. Not everyone is a 6-foot-tall, a dark tan, and no body fat. God didn't make most of us to be like that.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to look our best or wear nice clothes. It is wrong, however, to abuse ourselves with extreme exercise routines that push our bodies far beyond what is needed for normal health, physical conditioning, or reasonable weight Ioss.
As you prepare to teach this study, consider your own attitudes about your appearance and the appearance of others. Are your expectations for yourself reasonable? What about your expectations for others? If your expectations are unreasonable, resolve to seek God's help in forming realistic expectations and help your students to do the same thing.
>>The Basic Message: Explain to students...
•WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?
Today's society is obsessed with physical perfection; God is more concerned with what's in our hearts.
•WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Physical traits are temporary and superficial, but a relationship with God brings lasting fulfilment.
•HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Allow God to define your value, and seek the qualities that he desires for your life.
>>Study Overview: Explain that today's study will consider:
•Why people today are obsessed with physical appearance.
• How pursuing the media's physical ideals can lead to destructive behaviour.
•What it means to be made in God's own image.
>>Inform and Discuss
a). Body Image
1. Read or have a volunteer read 2 Cor 4:7. What does it mean to have treasure in jars of clay?
>>Guide: Explain that while our culture is obsessed with what's on the outside, the Bible refers to our bodies as jars of clay. The physical bodies we worry so much about are just temporary vessels. The real treasure is the Spirit of God within those who have surrendered their lives to Christ. As Christians, we have the hope of eternal life in heaven without our present flawed bodies.
2. Does that mean we shouldn't care how we look?
>>Hint: lt's normal to want to look our best. And it's good to care about our hygiene and health. But we don't have to get caught up in the world's way of thinking. Pursuing society's physical ideals only leads to frustration and wrong priorities.
3. Read or have a volunteer read Romans 12:2. In what ways does God want to transform us?
>>Hint: God wants to change our way of thinking, including our values, priorities, and desires. He doesn't want us to be like the rest of the world but to be more like Him.
b). Polished Image
>>Guide: Explain that very few people look like magazine models. The fact is, even models themselves don't look as perfect as the pictures we see. These people get zits and have flaws just like the rest of us. Hair and makeup artists, lighting, airbrushing, digital photo technology, and even plastic surgeons often contribute to the finished product.
1. Ask students to describe some of the negative consequences that can result from attempting to keep up with the media's ideal for physical appearance.
>>Guide: After listening to students' responses, talk about the following dangerous behaviours that could result from pursuing the body ideals portrayed in the media:
Drug abuse: The desire to appear muscular and athletic has led to many young people -both male and female-to use steroids. But such drugs are never the answer. In addition to opening the door to sinful bondage and idolatry, steroids can wreak havoc on the human body, potentially causing a number of serious side effects, including death.
Immodesty: It's possible to be fashionable and modest. Unfortunately, many of the fashions depicted in the media violate biblical standards of modesty. Revealing parts of your body that should be saved for your future spouse detracts from the sacred and special nature of marriage, demonstrating a lack of respect for yourself, and may cause other Christians to face temptation.
Eating disorders: Not every female body was designed to be thin. A woman with a naturally full frame can be just as physically fit, healthy, and beautiful as one with a smaller build. Self-starvation, be t through avoiding |meals, binge eating and purging, or excessive exercise, is a sinful and destructive behaviour that violates God's plan for us. It is also physically hazardous. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can lead to chronic illness, infertility, and death.]
2. Read or have a volunteer read each of the following verses and describe what it tells us about the physical versus the spiritual:
1 Timothy 4:8:
>>Guide: Explain that while our culture is obsessed with what's on the outside, the Bible refers to our bodies as jars of clay. The physical bodies we worry so much about are just temporary vessels. The real treasure is the Spirit of God within those who have surrendered their lives to Christ. As Christians, we have the hope of eternal life in heaven without our present flawed bodies.
2. Does that mean we shouldn't care how we look?
>>Hint: lt's normal to want to look our best. And it's good to care about our hygiene and health. But we don't have to get caught up in the world's way of thinking. Pursuing society's physical ideals only leads to frustration and wrong priorities.
3. Read or have a volunteer read Romans 12:2. In what ways does God want to transform us?
>>Hint: God wants to change our way of thinking, including our values, priorities, and desires. He doesn't want us to be like the rest of the world but to be more like Him.
b). Polished Image
>>Guide: Explain that very few people look like magazine models. The fact is, even models themselves don't look as perfect as the pictures we see. These people get zits and have flaws just like the rest of us. Hair and makeup artists, lighting, airbrushing, digital photo technology, and even plastic surgeons often contribute to the finished product.
1. Ask students to describe some of the negative consequences that can result from attempting to keep up with the media's ideal for physical appearance.
>>Guide: After listening to students' responses, talk about the following dangerous behaviours that could result from pursuing the body ideals portrayed in the media:
Drug abuse: The desire to appear muscular and athletic has led to many young people -both male and female-to use steroids. But such drugs are never the answer. In addition to opening the door to sinful bondage and idolatry, steroids can wreak havoc on the human body, potentially causing a number of serious side effects, including death.
Immodesty: It's possible to be fashionable and modest. Unfortunately, many of the fashions depicted in the media violate biblical standards of modesty. Revealing parts of your body that should be saved for your future spouse detracts from the sacred and special nature of marriage, demonstrating a lack of respect for yourself, and may cause other Christians to face temptation.
Eating disorders: Not every female body was designed to be thin. A woman with a naturally full frame can be just as physically fit, healthy, and beautiful as one with a smaller build. Self-starvation, be t through avoiding |meals, binge eating and purging, or excessive exercise, is a sinful and destructive behaviour that violates God's plan for us. It is also physically hazardous. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can lead to chronic illness, infertility, and death.]
2. Read or have a volunteer read each of the following verses and describe what it tells us about the physical versus the spiritual:
1 Timothy 4:8:
While physical exercise brings some benefits, pursuing what God desires most leads to reward both in this life and in eternity.
1 Peter 3:3-4:
1 Peter 3:3-4:
God values the internal qualities of godly character over physical traits. Teens are exposed to the media more than most other age groups.
c). God's Image
1. Read or have a volunteer read Gen. 1:27.
c). God's Image
1. Read or have a volunteer read Gen. 1:27.
What do you think it means that we are created in God's image? [Hint: Being made in the "image of God" means that we can respond to God and have relationship with Him. And although humanity fell into sin by rejecting God's plan, we can be made righteous by identifying with Jesus' death and resurrection. This means that we enter into relationship with Christ and become more like Him, forming the image we were designed to reflect.]
2. Read or have a volunteer read 2 Cor 3:18.
>>Daily Dew Drops
Mon: Raised to Serve - Luke 4:18-19.
Tues: Learn from the Master - Mark 10:42-45.
Wed: Empty Yourself - Phil 2:5-8.
Thurs: Prefer One Another - Rom 10:9-13.
Fri: Valued through Service - Luke 7:1-5.
Sat: Faithfulness is the Key - 1 Cor 4:1-3.
2. Read or have a volunteer read 2 Cor 3:18.
Why should we prioritize reflecting Christ's image rather than looking like the media's images? [Guide: Explain that God wants us to be transformed inwardly. We have to decide what's more important to us: looking like the media's images or reflecting the image of Christ. Chances are, we'll ultimately spend our time pursuing one of the other. If we concern ourselves too much with physical appearance, we'll never be truly happy or fulfilled because that's not what we were created to pursue. But when we seek fulfilment in a relationship with Christ, we won't be disappointed.]
>>Involve Them: INTERNAL USE ONLY
Divide students into small groups and challenge them to write an advertisement for a line of "inner beauty" or "internal grooming" products. Explain that their commercials should briefly describe why inner beauty (or attraction) is superior to the physical kind. Have each group present their commercial for the class. You may want to videotape the performances.
>>Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg..), explaining WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.
>>Guide: Explain that our value isn't defined by such superficial things as our body shape, height, skin tone, or clothes, God loves us just as we are. But that doesn't mean He wants to leave us in our current condition. He looks past the exterior into our hearts, and His desire is for us to become more like Him on the inside. His value should guide how we value ourselves and other people.
>>Ministry Activity: Have students bow their heads for a time of quiet reflection as they revisit the idea of what they would most like to change about themselves. This time they should focus on the inner qualities they would most like to develop. Lead the class in prayer, asking God to help your students see themselves as He sees them and pursue the kinds of traits He desires for them to have.
>>Invitation Option: If you have students in your class who are yet to receive Jesus as their Saviour. Invite them to allow the love of Christ to transform them from the inside out: and offer to pray with them.
Conclude by challenging students to focus on developing godly character on the inside. It's easy for teens to get caught up in looks, which will fade. But godly character will serve them well their whole lives and into eternity.
>>Teacher Hint: Ask yourself...
1. Do students understand why they don't need to be obsessed with their physical appearance?
2. Can they describe some of the negative consequences that can result from attempting to keep up with the media's ideal for physical appearance?
3. Are they able to explain what it means to be made in God's image?
4. Are they aware of the importance of affirming the inner character of others?
>>Involve Them: INTERNAL USE ONLY
Divide students into small groups and challenge them to write an advertisement for a line of "inner beauty" or "internal grooming" products. Explain that their commercials should briefly describe why inner beauty (or attraction) is superior to the physical kind. Have each group present their commercial for the class. You may want to videotape the performances.
>>Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg..), explaining WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.
>>Guide: Explain that our value isn't defined by such superficial things as our body shape, height, skin tone, or clothes, God loves us just as we are. But that doesn't mean He wants to leave us in our current condition. He looks past the exterior into our hearts, and His desire is for us to become more like Him on the inside. His value should guide how we value ourselves and other people.
>>Ministry Activity: Have students bow their heads for a time of quiet reflection as they revisit the idea of what they would most like to change about themselves. This time they should focus on the inner qualities they would most like to develop. Lead the class in prayer, asking God to help your students see themselves as He sees them and pursue the kinds of traits He desires for them to have.
>>Invitation Option: If you have students in your class who are yet to receive Jesus as their Saviour. Invite them to allow the love of Christ to transform them from the inside out: and offer to pray with them.
Conclude by challenging students to focus on developing godly character on the inside. It's easy for teens to get caught up in looks, which will fade. But godly character will serve them well their whole lives and into eternity.
>>Teacher Hint: Ask yourself...
1. Do students understand why they don't need to be obsessed with their physical appearance?
2. Can they describe some of the negative consequences that can result from attempting to keep up with the media's ideal for physical appearance?
3. Are they able to explain what it means to be made in God's image?
4. Are they aware of the importance of affirming the inner character of others?
>>Daily Dew Drops
Mon: Raised to Serve - Luke 4:18-19.
Tues: Learn from the Master - Mark 10:42-45.
Wed: Empty Yourself - Phil 2:5-8.
Thurs: Prefer One Another - Rom 10:9-13.
Fri: Valued through Service - Luke 7:1-5.
Sat: Faithfulness is the Key - 1 Cor 4:1-3.
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