Identifying with Jesus

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

Lesson 6
Winter 2024-25
By: RLD Editorial Team
January 05, 2025

Lesson Focus:

Baptism involves identifying with Jesus.

Bible Basis:

Matthew 3:13-17

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Guest speaker (church leader who can speak on your church’s views on baptism)
Paper
Pens/pencils
Optional: Brochures about baptism from your church

Summary & Links:

In order to gain a clearer understanding of identifying with Jesus, students will watch a video about two fraternal twins who can identify with one another despite their differences.

Memory Verse:

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.
—Galatians 3:26-27

In order to gain a clearer understanding of identifying with Jesus, students will watch a video about two fraternal twins who can identify with one another despite their differences.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

After students arrive, go around the large group and ask students whom they identify themselves with or to whom they “belong.” Explain that this very likely is their family and extended family, but could also be a friend group at school, a sports team they are a part of, a musical group or drama performance team, etc. To clarify, you may want to describe yourself. (Example: I am Mrs. Ellen Smith, I identify with my husband and children as a part of the Smith family; however, I’m also a violinist and identify that way as a part of the Cleveland, Ohio city orchestra. I’m also a Christian, a neighbor of Sunset Village, and a part of my church community.) Remind students that there are many “identifiers” that make up a person’s identity. Encourage them to think outside of the box, but also, not forget with whom they identify! If students are comfortable, invite a few to introduce themselves in this way.

When you think of twins, what picture comes to mind? (Answers will vary. Many will probably say they think of two people who look alike and act alike. Some may mention knowing twins who do not look alike.)
What is the difference between a fraternal twin and an identical twin? (Although fraternal twins share the same mom, dad, and birthday, they aren’t identical—they might share some physical features as any sibling would, but they are not mirror images of one another.)

Ayon and Azirah are twins. They are biological siblings but fraternal twins. They are different—so different, in fact, that it is hard for some people to believe they are twins. But the siblings don’t need to define themselves by their differences, rather, as they grow, they can learn to identify with each other through what makes them similar…the fact that they are biological twins and siblings.

Let’s watch the following clip about these siblings.
Share this video with your students [7:27; stop at 1:51]: The One In a Million Twins Born With Totally Different Skin Colours | Good Morning Britain

Ask:

How uncommon do you think it is for fraternal twins of biracial parents to look completely different? (It is quite rare; accept all reasonable responses.)
What are some ways these siblings will be able to identify with one another? (Answers will vary but might include that they share the same family, the same birthday, and possibly the same classes and teachers at school. It is quite possible they will share the same friends, etc.)

Although these twins have different skin colors and are different genders, they have many similarities as well. They’ll be able to identify with being twins, having the same parents, living in the same home, and so much more. As they grow up, this brother and sister will have the choice to focus on their true identity as twins instead of becoming hung up on their differences. They can choose to embrace their unique siblinghood.

Today we are going to talk about identifying with Someone just as twins Ayon and Azirah can with each other. Let’s find out more.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Guest speaker (church leader who can speak on your church’s views on baptism)
Paper
Pens/pencils
Optional: Brochures about baptism from your church

If your class is meeting online, invite the guest speaker to your virtual classroom to share. Instruct students to bring supplies with them to class.

Prior to this lesson, discuss with your church leaders the best way to discuss baptism as it relates to your church. If possible, invite another church leader to help you navigate this lesson today. Give them an opportunity to share briefly about your church’s teachings on the ordinance of baptism. You may want to open a time of Q&A so that your students can ask specific questions of your guest speaker.

If you are unable to have a guest speaker visit the class, pass out any brochures your church has available on the topic of baptism (or show information from the church website). You may want to read through these with your students or summarize key points.

Have your students think about Jesus’ baptism. Remind students that Jesus insisted on being baptized because, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b).

How does baptism involve identifying with Jesus? (Answers will vary, allow students to express their feelings or share things they may have learned from the guest speaker or brochures.)

Direct students toward today’s memory verse and say it together: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26–27).

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have those items ready at home) and invite them to write down ways they identify with Jesus. For example, as a Christian, as someone who follows His principles, as a worshiper, as a member of the Body of Christ, in baptism, as brothers and sisters with those in my youth group and church, etc.

Next have students write down one way they will let others know this week that they identify with Jesus (or identify as a Jesus-follower). People may already sense you are different because of your faith or by your words and actions. Share the following verse “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15).

Close in prayer encouraging your students to identify with Jesus through baptism and to think about and act upon their identity with Him this week.

About

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

Connect With Us

Search Lessons

Disclaimer of Third Party Content

In some lessons, we may provide you with suggestions of third party content or provide links to third party websites that may align with the lesson topic. At the time a lesson is written, our editors carefully review the cited third party content and websites. However, we do not own or control the third party content or websites and they may change over time including, for example, the addition of advertisements, suggested content, pop-ups, etc on a website page that may not be appropriate for children or classroom use. We take no responsibility for such third party content or websites or for your use of them, including your use of them in a lesson. Please review each cited content or website carefully before utilizing in a lesson.

| Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School