Empowered 2 ActEmpowered 2 ActLesson 2: Value of SelfLesson 2: Value of Self

GoalsGoals

• Self-image influences thoughts and actions.Self-image influences thoughts and actions.

• People used worldly standards to measure value.People used worldly standards to measure value.

• Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for you.for you.

• Personal talents should be used to serve our Lord.Personal talents should be used to serve our Lord.

• Dating decisions are influenced by our self-image. Dating decisions are influenced by our self-image.

DiscussionDiscussion

Name some common physical traits that Name some common physical traits that indicate someone is attractive.indicate someone is attractive.

DiscussionDiscussion

Standards of beauty have changed over Standards of beauty have changed over time.  "Ultra-thin" and "pleasantly plump" time.  "Ultra-thin" and "pleasantly plump" have both been popular.  Long hair vs. have both been popular.  Long hair vs. short hair is a constant style issue.  What short hair is a constant style issue.  What changes in style will occur in the future? changes in style will occur in the future?

DiscussionDiscussion

Who is primarily responsible for setting the Who is primarily responsible for setting the rules regarding beauty?rules regarding beauty?

DiscussionDiscussion

Besides physical looks, what other Besides physical looks, what other personal traits tend to increase a personal traits tend to increase a person’s value or perceived value?person’s value or perceived value?

DiscussionDiscussion

1 Peter 3:3,41 Peter 3:3,4 says that beauty should not come says that beauty should not come from outward appearance and even references from outward appearance and even references braided hair and jewelry.  Does this mean you braided hair and jewelry.  Does this mean you should not wear jewelry or make yourself should not wear jewelry or make yourself attractive?attractive?

DiscussionDiscussion

We know that God tells us that He loves us We know that God tells us that He loves us unconditionally and that we are special in unconditionally and that we are special in His eyes. Why is that statement so hard to His eyes. Why is that statement so hard to believe?believe?

DiscussionDiscussion

Imagine a condition that caused a weight gain Imagine a condition that caused a weight gain of 200 pounds.  How would you respond if that of 200 pounds.  How would you respond if that happened to:happened to:                    

Your best friendYour best friend            One of your teachers            One of your teachers            Someone who is generally mean to you            Someone who is generally mean to you            You            You

How would that person’s value change? How would that person’s value change?

A Look Inside: Self-Evaluation A Look Inside: Self-Evaluation FormForm

• List your positive traits.List your positive traits.

• If you could change some things about yourself, If you could change some things about yourself, list list what they would be?what they would be?

• List characteristics that you value in others. List characteristics that you value in others.

• List characteristics that you want in a person you List characteristics that you want in a person you date.date.

A Look Inside: Self-Evaluation A Look Inside: Self-Evaluation FormForm

continued…continued…• Take a minute and think, realistically, about your Take a minute and think, realistically, about your

ideal spouse (forget the billionaire or supermodel!!). ideal spouse (forget the billionaire or supermodel!!). List List those characteristics you want that person to have? those characteristics you want that person to have?

• Assuming you find the ideal person who is your perfect Assuming you find the ideal person who is your perfect match, list what you are doing now to live up to some match, list what you are doing now to live up to some of those traits? of those traits?

• If you mess up in some way, how can you be sure If you mess up in some way, how can you be sure that God will forgive you and help you make positive that God will forgive you and help you make positive changes?changes?

Activity: Empowered Activity: Empowered RelationshipsRelationships

A strong relationship with Christ is the A strong relationship with Christ is the foundation for positive dating relationships foundation for positive dating relationships and eventually a great marriage and eventually a great marriage relationshiprelationship. . This assignment is to consider This assignment is to consider the following: Jesus Christ is the most the following: Jesus Christ is the most important person in your life and He wants important person in your life and He wants a stronger relationship with you. Consider a stronger relationship with you. Consider that thought between today and the next that thought between today and the next session. session.

Activity: My DecisionsActivity: My Decisions

Make a mental note of any decisions that Make a mental note of any decisions that you make before the next class. Some you make before the next class. Some could be big, but most will be relatively could be big, but most will be relatively minor. Still, keep track of each decision minor. Still, keep track of each decision and come next time prepared to talk about and come next time prepared to talk about those choices that were made. Also note those choices that were made. Also note how God’s Word played into your how God’s Word played into your decisions.decisions.

Activity: You are SpecialActivity: You are Special

Write down at least one positive trait of Write down at least one positive trait of every other person in the group – none of every other person in the group – none of which are physical.which are physical.

Activity: Too Hot to Handle?Activity: Too Hot to Handle?

Role-play a dating situation in which the Role-play a dating situation in which the boyfriend feels he is so hot that his boyfriend feels he is so hot that his girlfriend should feel honored to become girlfriend should feel honored to become sexually active with him. Then do another sexually active with him. Then do another role-play reversing the roles.role-play reversing the roles.

Activity: What do you Think?Activity: What do you Think?

Comment on the following statements:Comment on the following statements:

• People who have the healthiest self-People who have the healthiest self-image image are those who take good care of are those who take good care of themselves.themselves.

• The best way to feel good about yourself The best way to feel good about yourself is is to find one or two of your strengths and to find one or two of your strengths and work every day to build on them.work every day to build on them.

Activity: What do you Think?Activity: What do you Think?Continued…Continued…

• People who have a positive self-image People who have a positive self-image are are usually focused on serving others.usually focused on serving others.

• God gives us our talents, but our self-God gives us our talents, but our self-worth worth is determined by how we use is determined by how we use those talents.those talents.

• God expects us to treat people God expects us to treat people differently differently based on their talents. We based on their talents. We know that know that because God is the One who because God is the One who gives gives different talents to people.different talents to people.