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JONATHAN RIVERA

Middle School YTHX – Worship Experience #5

July 9, 2026
• 41min. read
•
Youth
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DISCUSSION GOAL:

REVIEW

Ask youth to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If youth have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

READ SCRIPTURE

Read the main scripture passages used in the sermon:

GROUP DISCUSSION: Explore The Scripture

  • Read Matthew 16:13-18. Imagine you were one of the other disciples listening to this conversation. What would have surprised you the most about the way Jesus talked to Peter?

  • Read Matthew 16:17-18. Jesus called Simon "Peter" before Peter had done anything to deserve that name. Why do you think Jesus gave him a new identity before Peter acted like "the rock"?

  • Read Jeremiah 1:5. God knew you before you were even born. If God has always known who you are, why do you think it's still so easy to believe the labels other people put on us?

  • Pastor Jonathan said God made us (Jeremiah 1:5), He owns us (1 Corinthians 6:19), and He bought us (1 Corinthians 6:20). Why do you think those three things give God the right to tell us who we are?

GROUP DISCUSSION: Apply It To Your Life

  • Pastor Jonathan said labels can come from friends, family, social media, culture, or even ourselves. Where do you think middle school students hear the most labels about who they should be? What kinds of labels are they hearing?

  • Jonathan challenged us to stop believing labels that don't come from God. What's one truth from God's Word you want to remember about who He says you are this week? (e.g, a child of God, loved, chosen, set apart, called, anointed, strong, faithful, good, etc.)

PRAYER PROMPT:

“Jesus, thank You for making us, loving us, and giving Your life for us. Help us stop believing labels that don't come from You. Remind us our identity isn't found in what other people say or even what we think about ourselves, but it's found in what You say. Help us believe we are loved, chosen, forgiven, and created with purpose. This week, help us live with the confidence that we are who You say we are. In Jesus' name, amen.”