Middle School Week 1 (March 25): Mindset #1
Study Overview:
There’s a difference between being told to “just be yourself” and actually knowing who you are.
Culture pressures you to define yourself quickly — what you believe, what you’re good at, where you’re headed, how you measure up… And the world tells you to build your identity from your feelings, your followers, your failures, or your future plans.
But what if the real question isn’t, “Who do I want to be?” What if it’s, “Who did God already create me to become?”
Throughout Do the True You, we’re going to stop chasing versions of ourselves that have nothing to do with our God-given purpose. But this transformation is going to take surrender — letting go of striving to be what the world wants and instead believing that Christ in you changes how you think, how you respond, and how you see yourself.
This study isn’t about hype. It’s about mindset. It’s about learning to think differently so you can live differently. Wrestling with the thoughts that keep you stuck, insecure, afraid, distracted, or discouraged, and replacing them with truth.
So let’s get started.
Ready to meet the true you?
Mindset #1: I’m not stuck unless I stop.
Action Step: Commit to progress.
Read Do the True You chapters 1-5 before your group meeting.
Watch the video: Encourage students to take notes on what stands out to them and what they want to remember.
What’s On Your Mind?
If you could instantly become the ideal version of yourself five years from now — smarter, more confident, more successful, whatever you want — would you? What do you think that version of you has that you don’t right now?
Optional activity: Unity Knot
Have youth stand in a circle, all facing inward. They will then reach across the circle and join hands with another person — right hand to right hand, and left to left. They can’t join hands with someone next to them, and they can’t grab both hands of the same person. Once this is done, they will have created a knot. The goal is now to work together as a team to untangle this knot, reforming the circle so that everyone ends up standing next to the people whose hands they are holding.
Ground rules:
They can’t let go of each others’ hands during the untangling. They’ll have to communicate on who needs to move and how.
If someone lets go, the challenge has to start all over!
You can set a time limit for added excitement.
Ask the group how they felt at the beginning, during, and at the end of the activity. (e.g., Were they excited? Confused? Frustrated?) Was there a moment when they lost hope in getting untangled? Tell them you’re going to discuss how the concept of “I’m not stuck unless I stop” can help us push through struggles and develop our faith.
Shift Your Mindset
What does the phrase “I’m not stuck unless I stop” mean to you?
Where do you feel stuck in your life? What are some areas where you feel tempted to quit?
Read Joshua 1:1-6. How do you think Joshua felt when this happened? (e.g., afraid, not enough, insecure, not a leader, etc.) But what did God say about Joshua that he might not have seen in himself?
Think of something in your life that feels stuck right now. If you changed the sentence from “I’m stuck” to “I stopped because _________,” what might fill in that blank? What’s a step you could commit to so you can start moving forward?
Prayer: God, thank You that we’re not stuck unless we stop. Thank You that You see the true version of us — the one still growing, still learning, and still becoming who You created us to be. When we feel discouraged or afraid to try again, help us choose progress over perfection. Give us courage to take one small step this week, trusting that You are working in us. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Go Further
Pastor Steven talked about how “just do you” can actually keep you stuck. Why do you think saying “This is just who I am” can sometimes stop us from growing?
Read Ephesians 4:22-24. What does it mean to “put off” your old self and “put on” a new one? How could doing that help us get unstuck?
“If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.” (pg. 32) What’s the difference between being honest about your weakness and using it as an excuse?
The book says changing is about “constant progress, not instant perfection.” Why do you think we get frustrated when change doesn’t happen fast? What does it look like to focus on progress instead of perfection?
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Go and DO the True You
“The point is constant progress, not instant perfection.” (pg. 15)
This week, choose ONE area where you’ve felt stuck. Instead of trying to fix everything, take a small step forward each day.
Examples:
If you’ve been avoiding prayer… Pray for two minutes.
If you’ve been fighting with someone… Send one kind text.
If you’ve been negative about yourself… Replace one bad thought with truth.
If you’ve been procrastinating… Work for 10 focused minutes.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress! Write down your one step somewhere you’ll see it every day.