Strengthening Children’s IdentitySample

The disciples sat face to face with Jesus and received this mission: Go, preach, heal, raise the dead, touch the untouchables and cast out the demons. I wonder what was twirling around in their mind as Jesus’s words dripped off his mouth like a thundering drum. It sounds like the best locker room pep talk before a big game! The disciples received his direction and every single one of them said, "Yes, Lord!" They left the “pep” talk and ran out onto the field to play their very best game. Now, Jesus’s words are so much more important than a pep talk, it is a mission we are called to carry out with an eternal impact. Jesus created each of us - his disciples- to be World Changers for him in the Kingdom of God carrying out this mission. That is who we are! World Changers on mission for Jesus!

This summer at Church in our prayer time, I asked the children to ask the Lord for a word over their school year. One boy walked up to share with the entire class. Eagerly, he held up his piece of paper to share a word and a picture the Lord gave him. The word written on his paper was the word "bold" and the picture was of a child laying hands on another child's shoulder. He joyfully explained to the class the Lord was telling him to walk in boldness and pray for people that need healing at school this year. He proceeded to pray and release this word over the entire class ending with a confident smile. This precious boy is a world changer ready to be on mission for Jesus in his school.

Empower your children to carry out their mission as world changers at school. You can have them sit and visualize sitting in front of Jesus as he released the mission to the disciples in Matthew 10. Tell them, they too are disciples of Jesus and Jesus sees them as a world changer for his Kingdom on mission for Him. Changing the world by being a world changer at school - it is who you are!

Continue to speak the truth of their identity over them - they are a child of God, they are mighty, they are a world changer, they carry Jesus, they shine bright and they are warriors for Christ so they CAN carry out this mission with power to advance the Kingdom of God.

Bring this concept to life for your children by engaging as a family in the following activity:

Repeat the following bible verse often with your children:

Matthew 10:7-8: Motions with this verse to make it fun to learn!

BV Motions:

ALL Together- *shout* Matthew 10: 7-8

Leader - What are we going to do? (Place your hands next to your mouth like a megaphone)

Children - Go! (Children throw one arm into the air)

Leader - What are we going to preach? (Throw hands up to represent asking a question)

ALL Together -The Kingdom of God is at hand (Hold up one hand and bounce with every word spoken)

ALL Together - And we are going to heal the sick, raise the dead (Hold up one hand and bounce with every word spoken)

ALL Together - Kick out the demons (Kick one foot in the air)

ALL Together - And touch the untouchables - (Clap your hands lightly flipping them over)

ALL Together - Why? (Throw hands up to represent asking a question)

ALL Together - Because freely I have received, so freely I give. (Place both hands on your chest and then throw both hands out to show “giving”)

AMEN!

Activity Video