EVEN WHEN CULTURE TRIES TO LABEL US, GOD DEFINES OUR IDENTITY.

SCRIPTURE | Daniel 1:1-21

CENTRAL TRUTH

Culture pushes us to conform and embrace what it loves, to accept what it accepts, to tolerate what it celebrates. But as God’s children, our identity can’t be taken away from us unless we allow it—unless we choose to embrace “Babylon” instead of living as exiles and citizens of a better kingdom (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:10).

KEY QUESTION

DOES GOD REALLY EXPECT US TO BE FAITHFUL IN “BABYLON”—IN CULTURE OR TOUGH SITUATIONS? WHY?

KEEP IN MIND

Our students want their lives to matter—to make a difference. Jesus charged them to live in such a way that their presence changes the environment around them. He expressed the concept like this: Live like lights in a dark world; be like salt, preserving life around you (Matt. 5:13-16). But in reality, many of our students struggle to make a difference. Why? They can’t make a difference in culture because they’re not willing to be different from culture. Students may be wrapped up in what’s popular or acceptable, and instead of shining like lights and taking a stand, they blend in with the world. Many are afraid of being different, being gossiped about, being laughed at, and losing friends. We can lovingly remind students that in the end, they won’t regret living like light and salt, but they will regret the moments they wasted conforming to this world.

APPLICATION

WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN WE WANT TO COMPROMISE AND ACCEPT THE “KING’S FOOD”?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: When students give in to compromise, they are left starved. Jesus promised to send a Helper—the Holy Spirit—to dwell within them and to guide them. Every step of obedience our students take strengthens them for the next step of obedience.

FOR THE LEADER: As leaders, we know that giving in to the “king’s food” doesn’t satisfy us. Refusing it is difficult because it appeals to us—to our God-given desires, our needs, and our flesh. But worldly “food” can’t satisfy us. Instead, we can model how living for God gives us abundant life.