Identity is defined by Psychology Today as the knowledge of who we are (Timothy Pychyl, “Teenagers, Identity Crisis & Procrastination: On the Benefits of Knowing Who You Are”, Psychology Today, April 2008).

63% of teens say they “know who they are” while 37% do not fully know their identity yet (Stage of Life, “Did You Know: High School Facts and Figures”, 2008-2018.).

Teens search for identity in status, work, race, ethnicity, education, family, opinions of others, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, friends, money, power, talent, etc. Technology and social media, no doubt, proves finding identity even more confusing and difficult, giving them more possible versions of “self” than ever before to constantly edit, As well they have an endless supply of people to compare themselves with. They risk a vicious cycle of seeking constant online approval, causing unhealthy online dependency or a misconception that online identity equals real life. (Chandra Johnson, “Growing Up Digital: How The Internet Affects Teen Identity”, Desert News Family, May 2014) (Mary Madden, et al., “Teens, Social Media, and Privacy”, Pew Research Center, May 2013), (Solstice RTC, “Self Identity in Teens: Social Media Is Getting in the Way”, 2019).

The truth about their identity is found in only one place, the Bible. Our Creator says our identity is found in Him because we are created in His image (Genesis. 1:27). Before we were born, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5) and had plans written for us (Psalms 139:16). Jesus said we find our true life if we give ours to him (Luke 9:23-25), He then sends us the Holy Spirit to live in our Spirit to sanctify us, to enable us to be children of God (John 1:12) to live a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and be in relationship with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17) all through our identity in Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28). Our citizenship is in heaven and eventually on a new earth. (Philippians 3:20 & Revelation 21:1-4).

Sadly, in our post Christian world children are no longer taught the truth from God’s word by parents and certainly not at our public teaching institutions, schools and universities. Moreover, increasingly our institutional churches are no longer preaching God’s Word having compromised with the world on its changing moral values. The good news is provided in my last post: HARVEST RIPE: THE GOSPEL WELCOME NEWS TO THE YOUNG. Each of us just needs to be attuned to what God is doing and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.

Source of information Tough Topics (for Teens) by Zeal Bible Club. Go to whosoevers.com to support this great work.