Who do you think you are?
Being a doorway for others
by Brian Radcliffe
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To encourage students to consider their personal image and sense of value.
Preparation and materials
- You will need Jesus’ words found in the Gospel of John 10:9-10: ‘I am the gate/door’.
Assembly
- Ask the question: Who do you think you are?
Pause to allow time for reflection. - Explain the question more fully:
What sort of person do you think you are?
What is your identity? - Explain that for some of us, we may find our identity in being part of a particular family. We may have brothers or sisters here in this school. Our parents or guardians might have some reputation that impacts who we feel we are.
For others, our identity may be in being part of a group. Maybe a sports team or maybe a gang. We may have a particular role within the group. We may be the star striker for the netball team or the goalkeeper for the football squad.
Maybe our identity comes from some achievement we’ve made. Perhaps we’ve been on TV or scored the winning goal in a sports final.
Maybe we’re not really sure who we think we are. - Jesus knew exactly who he was. The Bible records a series of sayings where Jesus explains his identity to his listeners, in terms of some aspect of everyday life. Some of his comparisons are hard for us to relate to. We’re not too familiar with, for instance, desert shepherds and grapevines. However, others are more relevant. Let’s look at a few of them. Today we look at Jesus as a door or in some translations of the Bible a gate.
- Ask the questions: Where is your favourite doorway? Picture it in your mind.
Pause to allow imagination.
Why is it your favourite?
Is it because of the style?
Maybe it’s very old and holds historical significance. Maybe it’s the door to someone’s house and they’re special to you. Maybe it’s the door to somewhere you enjoy spending time. Maybe it’s a doorway into somewhere, a place you feel safe, a place of opportunities and experiences. Maybe it’s a doorway out, a way of escape from restriction, a doorway to freedom. Doorways can be entrances, and they can be exits. - Ask the questions:
Where do you stand in relation to this doorway?
Are you ready to go through it or are you prevented from doing so?
Are you biding your time, coming to a decision?
Is the doorway open or is it shut?
Is there good on the other side or would you rather not see what’s there?
Are you going through the doorway of your own choice or are you being forced to? Doorways can symbolise so much in our lives. - One way that Jesus described his sense of identity was as a door. He said that he represented a door to a good and enjoyable life; life as it was designed to be lived. His audience recognised that the doorway illustration was like that of the door to a sheepfold inside which his sheep could find safety from predators and food to eat. His doorway kept out everything that was a threat to the flock. By going through his shepherd’s door, the sheep could have a good life. Christians believe that Jesus was saying that, by following him, by putting him in charge, people could live a more satisfying life.
Time for reflection
So how might we be a door for those around us?
Could you be a doorway into a different way of life for someone?
Could we introduce someone to new friends, especially if they are new to this school?
Could we invite them to join a group we are part of?
Could we provide the reassurance and support that someone needs in a time of threat or vulnerability?
On the other hand, could we provide a way out for someone?
Maybe they’re caught up in an argument, a dilemma or a crisis. Could we intervene, with their permission, and show alternative ways to act and speak? If someone seems hemmed in by depression, fear or worry could we accompany them into a new freedom by our friendship, or could we take them to someone who might be able to help.
Remind students of help available in school.
Everyone wants a full and rewarding experience of life. Just imagine if we could be the doorway for others. What an identity that would be!
