Hello World: It’s Me!
Who am I?
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider the themes of personal identity, self-awareness and the concept of being created in the image of God.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (Hello World: It’s Me!) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Welcome the students to the assembly. - I would like to ask you a very short question. In some ways this is a very simple question. In other ways, it could be considered a very complex question. I want to invite you to notice any thoughts or feelings you have about this question.
- Show Slide 2.
My question is: Who are you?
Take your time to notice any thoughts you have in response to this question. Take your time to notice any feelings or emotions you have in response to this question. - Perhaps we can easily respond to the question. Perhaps we are finding it challenging?
- To help us out, let’s have a look at this simple template. Let’s have a go at filling in the blanks.
- Show Slide 3.
The template states: Hello, my name is _________ and I __________.
Who would like to tell us something about themselves using this template?
Take responses from some students. If students are not forthcoming, you could ask staff to contribute. - In some ways the question, ‘Who are you?’ is simple to answer. We can give a quick, simple answer by stating our name. We can add some more detail by giving a fact about ourselves, such as where we live, what football team we support, our favourite subject or how old we are.
- In other ways, this is a very difficult question to answer, as any of these simple facts about us don’t give the full picture. We are more that the football team we support. We are more than where we live. We are more than how old we are.
- Each of us is unique. We all have unique fingerprints; a powerful reminder that there is only one of us in the world! Yet, it remains challenging to fully answer the question, ‘Who are you?’
- In some ways, it takes a lifetime to answer the question, because as we live our lives, we change and develop. Life experiences shape us. We are not the same as when we were babies. Events and relationships in life have impacted us. The natural process of human development has changed us.
- However, there may also be things that remain constant about us and our personality.
If possible, give a personal example such as: ‘I have always loved the taste of strawberries, but I have always hated eating tomatoes.’
Perhaps from a young age, our family recognised us as an optimistic, upbeat personality who found it easy to laugh and joke. If so, this may well still be true of us. Our core values can be consistent and change little. For example, if we are loyal, we are likely to connect with our sense of loyalty in different scenarios and at different times. - So, let’s consider the question again: ‘Who are you?
As we ponder this question, let’s consider:
- our likes and dislikes
- facts about ourselves – where we live, how old we are etc
- our values
- our personality traits
Each of these aspects feed into the answer as to who we are. - For people who have faith in a Creator God, part of the answer to the question, ‘Who am I?’ draws on the belief that they are created by God. Christians and Jews use the phrase ‘made in the image of God’ to help explain who they are. This phrase, taken from the book of Genesis in the Bible, presents the idea that each of us reflect something of God.
Who we are helps to reveal something of God to the world. For example, if we are creative, or kind, or generous, or honest, this can be seen as a reflection of God’s creativity, kindness, generosity, or honesty. - Within the Hindu tradition, there is a similar belief that humans reflect the divine. Part of the answer to the question, ‘Who are you?’ includes the idea that we carry something of the divine in us. You may have heard the word ‘namaste’. This is a word from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, and translates to ‘the divine in me greets the divine in you’. This word reflects the Hindu belief that there is a sacredness and potential of every human person.
Time for reflection
With the question, ‘Who are you?’ in mind, and the idea that many people believe we reflect God or the divine in some way, let’s use some questions to help us reflect upon the assembly.
Question 1: How do you feel about the phrase ‘you are made in the image of God’?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
To what extent do you believe that each human carries something of the divine within them?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Finally, let us hear the words of a well-known reflection, quoted by the South African President, Nelson Mandela, when he was inaugurated into office.
As we listen to the words, let’s keep on considering our own responses to the question, ‘Who am I?’
Show Slide 4.
Our Deepest Fear.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
Written by Marianne Williamson.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Each of us have been created to be unique, a one off, a masterpiece!
I am me!
And there is no one else in the world quite like me.
Working out who we are in life can feel challenging.
Help us to be more aware of who we are, what are values are and how we want to live our lives.
Help us to reflect on what it means to be made in the image of God.
Help us to be ourselves and to live and love well.
Amen.
