Who I am matters to God.
Most of us have probably daydreamed about being famous at one point or another—or we’ve at least wondered what it would be like. Maybe you’ve dreamed of being a famous athlete, or singer, or actor, or businessperson. Or maybe you just really want to be popular and well-liked at your workplace or in your community.
Fame can feel like a really big deal in the world we live in today. Through social media, it seems like we get to see more of famous people’s lives than ever before. It can also seem like anyone can become famous. Our culture teaches us to chase after fame and popularity—to try to become famous or popular, or to at least be aware of what all the famous and popular people are up to.
The Bible actually has a lot to teach us about fame. And, the truth is, though they have their perks, fame and popularity aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. While fame itself isn’t necessarily bad, it’s something you have to be really careful with. If we live our lives seeking after fame and doing everything we can to get other people’s attention, we’re going to miss out on other things in life that are way more important.
Think about this. Which is more important: who you are and how you live your life, or how many people know you and what people think about you? The Bible tells us that how we live our lives is much more important than being famous, but sometimes that’s hard for us to believe. This season, we’re going to try to understand this better. We’re going to try to look at our lives from God’s perspective instead of from the perspective of the world around us. We’re going to look at the things that God says matter most, compared to fame and all the stuff fame brings with it—things that the world says matter most.
Jesus, the Son of God—the actual most famous person to ever live—once said, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37)
Your soul is what makes you who you are. It’s your character, your thoughts and actions and what you believe all rolled into one. It’s the core of who you are. The point of Jesus’ question is that nothing is worth more than your soul. You could gain anything and everything the world has to offer. You could have fame, money, power, influence, success, or anything else. Everyone could know your name. But none of it is worth more than your soul and who you actually are.
Conversation Starters
- What is something you might want to be famous for?
- What would be good about being famous? What would be bad about it?
- What are you most excited for this season?
Go Deeper
Open Mark 8:36-37 in BibleGateway (NLT)This week, read Mark 8:36–37 with your child. Explain that your soul is who you are inside. In the center of a piece of paper, write “Who I Am.” Encourage your child to write or draw things that make them who they are or that are important to them: family, friends, hobbies, personality, values (being brave, being kind, etc.). If you have a younger child, coach them through the activity. For an older child, get your own paper and do the activity alongside them, then compare. Pray out loud for your child, thanking God for who they are and asking Him to bless them this season and help them grow.