"King Me" Part 1

We kicked off the 2012-2013 school year by starting a 3-week teaching entitled "King Me."  We learned that as we study the book of 1 Peter, we will learn that "WHO we are ultimately determines HOW we will live."  Our IDENTITY affects our ACTIONS.

1 Peter is set up in such a way as to remind us of who we are (our Identity) and how that identity should affect our lives (daily living).  So our focus this past week had us asking ourselves a very simple, yet complex life question- "Who is King of my life?"  Is it is Jesus or yourself?  There is no third option. 

Oftentimes, in a youth ministry, you will hear topics based on behavior...Watch/don't watch this movie, have these types of friends, obey your parents, etc... And these are all good topics.  But if you look closely, they are all "action-based"...they stem from who you are- your identity. 

What we want to do these first thee weeks is show you that an identity that is found in Jesus will free you up from having to gain approval, love, and acceptance from the world around you...that with your life found in Jesus, you have everything you already need, and in that, every aspect of your life (media, friends, forgiveness, parents, etc...) will stem from your identity in Jesus.

So.
Who is king of your life? Who calls the shots? Where is your identity?

Sin has a way of making us big and God small.  Of making us King and Him a second thought.  When we think of us being our own King and ruler of our lives, we like that...we think there is freedom there.  The problem with that line of thinking is that, what happens when everyone else around you wants to be their own King?  And they want to rule all...just like you?  Problems happen.  Want to know why?  Because we were created to be second...we were created to have a perfect King rule over us...and with God has King, we have true freedom!

Use these questions and passages of scripture to help take you deeper this week.
1.  Read Genesis 2:4-25 and then Genesis 3:1-13.  Make a list of the differences. 
- Who is King in chapter 2?
- Who is King in chapter 3?
- In which situation does life seem to work better- when God was King or when Adam & Eve wanted to be "like God?"

2. Look particularly at Genesis 3:11-13.

- Do you see the blame game going on?  Adam is looking out for himself only- he blames Eve.  Eve is looking out for herself only- she blames the snake.  This is what sin does...It cause us to look out for what we want, what would make us most comfortable, and what would make us "King"- it's selfishness at its core.

- How has your desire to be King of you own life, caused pain in someone else's life?

- How has someone else's desire to be King of their own lives, caused pain in your life?

3. Read 1 Peter 1:3-4.

- When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, and His forgiveness of our sins, what do we get?

- Our inheritance...or our right standing with God can never "perish, spoil, or fade"- does this give you hope?

4. Read 1 Peter 1:6-7.  Oftentimes we want the blessing of getting to go to heaven without losing the "fun" of life...

- What does Peter promise us if we live for "King Jesus" instead of "King Me" in this life?

- What is the point of our suffering? (verse 7)

5. Before we talk about how to live everyday like Jesus is King of your life, answer this question...

- Who is King of your life?  Jesus or you? 

- If He is King- how have you discovered freedom and everything you need for life?

- If you are King, how has you being King of your life left you wanting more out of life?