Identity & Purpose

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Who am I and why am I here?
What is the true source of the brokenness around us?
Is marriage still relevant?
Sex only within marriage—is that realistic?

Genesis 1–3 is a compelling narrative with familiar names but it also deals with hard, profound questions about life—questions that need God’s answers.

Essential issues for your teens: how they are made in God’s image, vocation, marriage, sex, Sabbath, sin, the promise of a Redeemer, and more.

3- and 4-week studies (13 sessions in all). Download a free lesson!

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Sessions in this Study

Download Sessions at a Glance PDF

UNIT 1: In the Beginning (4 weeks)

Session 1

Q. Who am I and why am I here?
A. Since God is the Creator and I am his creation, the only way to understand my identity and purpose is to live in dependence upon him.

Scripture: Psalm 139:1–18; Ephesians 1:3–6; Psalm 104; Psalm 136:1–9

Session 2

Q. Why is knowing who God is so important to my identity and purpose?
A. Because knowing that God is our good, wise, all-powerful Creator assures me that I am not here by chance and that I have value.

Scripture: Genesis 1

Session 3

Q. Do I have worth and value?
A. I am a person of great worth because God created me in his own image, after his likeness.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1–2:1–9

Session 4

Q. What role did God give his image-bearers?
A. God made people to glorify him by wisely managing, developing, and caring for his creation.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26–31; Psalm 8; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Revelation 4:11

UNIT 2: Living with Purpose (4 weeks)

Session 5

Q. Who, me—work?
A. Yes, God intended work to be a blessing and privilege for people.

Scripture: Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:1–22; selected passages (printed in Examine)

Session 6

Q. Is marriage still relevant?
A. Yes, God designed marriage for our good and his glory.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27–28; Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:3–6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 5:31–32

Session 7

Q. Sex only within marriage—is that realistic?
A. Yes, sex is a God-created gift for marriage and is intended to glorify him.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24–25; Hebrews 13:4; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27–30; 1 Corinthians 6:12–20; Proverbs 5:1–14

Session 8

Q. Why set aside one day?
A. God created the Sabbath for rest and worship, which points us to the ultimate redemption of creation.

Scripture: Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:1–2, 8–11; Hebrews 3:16–4:4; Hebrews 8–10; Matthew 11:28–29

UNIT 3: Matter of Life and Death (3 weeks)

Session 9

Q. What does the Garden of Eden have to do with us?
A. It teaches us about God’s good and generous character and our place in the story he created for us.

Scripture: Genesis 1:28–31; Genesis 2:8–17; Revelation 22:1–3, 14

Session 10

Q. Bait and switch?
A. As God’s and our enemy, Satan uses doubt, deception, and lies to entice us to distrust and disobey God.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1–6; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2; John 8:44; James 1:13–15; Matthew 4:1–11; Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 4:15–16; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Session 11

Q. What is the true source of the brokenness around us?
A. The rebellion of Adam and Eve resulted in spiritual and physical death for everyone—alienation from God, from each other, and from creation.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1–19

UNIT 4: God’s Word of Hope (2 weeks)

Session 12

Q. Is there hope?
A. Yes, God promised and sent a Deliverer who defeated Satan, sin, and death.

Scripture: Genesis 3:8–19; Ephesians 6:10–12; selected passages (printed in Examine)

Session 13

Q. Will things ever get better?
A. God promises that our struggles with sin, suffering, and death will end when all of creation is restored in the new heaven and earth.

Scripture: Genesis 3:20–24; selected passages (printed in Examine)

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13 Responses to Identity & Purpose
  1. Katherine Spratt
    April 6, 2020 | 10:14 am

    I want to order the study on Genesis 1-3 for ministry to our youth. I’ve used it before and it is such a wonderful tool for answering questions young people have

    • So What? Studies
      April 6, 2020 | 10:53 am

      That’s wonderful to hear! God bless you as you minister to your students!

  2. Craig Fyfe
    August 11, 2018 | 1:11 pm

    I am leading a small group of high school students and want to teach both “The Christian Mind” and “Identity & Purpose”. Does it matter which one I teach first? Should I teach one before I teach the other?

    • So What? Studies
      September 7, 2018 | 10:55 am

      We recommend starting with Identity & Purpose. That one is our foundational study on biblical worldview. It digs into Genesis 1–3 to lay the groundwork for a Christian’s view of God, man, sin, and redemption. Then use The Christian Mind, which further builds on Identity & Purpose to create a biblical worldview.

  3. TJ
    July 11, 2016 | 2:47 pm

    Has this study been used for teen groups with Asperger’s, ADD, etc.? Identity is so important for teens, but especially for those whom the world wants to “label”. Thank you!

    • So What? Studies
      July 18, 2016 | 9:13 am

      We are sure it has, but don’t have any specific feedback about that. If you do, please share! Thank you for serving God by teaching teens!

  4. Latifan freeman
    January 20, 2016 | 6:55 pm

    Thankful for this study to teach my students!

  5. GANDONU, Babatunde Michael
    June 5, 2014 | 6:42 am

    Your So What studies have been marvelous and educational. Do you have some Bible correspondence courses the youths can subscribe to to keep them busy while at home?

    • So What? Studies
      June 9, 2014 | 3:35 pm

      We do not have correspondence courses, but we do have journals that are included in the Student Packs for each of the studies. This gives the students something to do during the week that reinforces the lesson and gives them an opportunity to spend time on their own in the Bible.

  6. Barbara M. Haigler
    February 16, 2014 | 6:40 pm

    Do you have Bible studies similar to these for adults?

    • So What? Studies
      February 17, 2014 | 5:24 pm

      We have a wide variety of Bible studies for adults that cover many topics and books of the Bible. Visit http://www.gcp.org and go to Worship Resources/Adult Discipleship to see everything we have available. You may also contact us at Contact Us. Thank you for your interest!

  7. Angela Franklin
    January 9, 2014 | 10:47 am

    I just finished Identity and Purpose and loved it. This is a great series for all ages in the youth group. Even the adult leaders, myself included, left with a new perception of Genesis 1-3. How amazing is it that God entrusted us to be the keepers of ALL of creation!

    • So What? Studies
      January 9, 2014 | 10:59 am

      We are so thankful for your leadership and passion for God’s Word and your students. Thank you for this wonderful report!

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