1.0        PERSONAL IDENTITY

Personal identity is:

*      knowing one’s name; what it sounds like, looks like, its origin.

*      understanding that one’s name stands for who one is and what one is like.

*      expressing one’s preferences.

*      identifying one’s physical traits such as color of eyes, skin, or hair.

*      knowing one’s gender--boy or girl.

*      identifying one’s roles: son, daughter, sister, brother, musician, student, swimmer, etc.

*      defining one’s self in terms of name and physical appearance.

*      realizing who one is in Christ.

Christ expresses it when He responds to Satan’s temptation (Mt 4:1-10), shows amazement at hearing the Centurion’s faith (Mt 8:10), is in Temple proclaiming Isaiah (Lk 4:16-19), is at the wedding feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-11), declares that “before Abraham came to be, I AM” (Jn 8:58), warns the unbelievers (Jn 8:21-24), tells us we will do greater things than He did in His Name (Jn 14:12), says, I know where I came from (Jn 9:14-18), speaks during His last discourse (Jn 19:11), is giving up His last breath (Jn 19:30).

It is important because:

*      knowing one’s self is the first step in making one’s self-known to others.

*      we often reveal to others how we feel about our identity through everyday conversations.  In so doing, we invite others to value our culture, roots, background, or roles.

*      knowing one’s self is the foundation for good decision-making.

*      a person is identified and known by others through one’s name.

*      when one is known by name, one tends to feel important and valued.

*      physical traits, gender, roles, and ethnic and cultural background distinguish an individual as unique.

*      knowing who one is in Christ is the foundation for laying hold of one’s destiny.

One would exhibit it by:

*      noticing one’s self in a mirror.

*      responding to one’s name.

*      pointing to one’s self.

*      naming one’s self. 

*      writing one’s name.

*      expressing preferences.

*      noticing and discussing gender; roles in families; roles in community; employment; athletic abilities; ethnic and cultural foods; dress; and customs.

*      understanding and discussing one’s role as a Christian.

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

For young children, coming to know themselves in terms of their name, family, and preferences are significant and worthy of support from parents.  Children need to be able to notice and describe their physical characteristics, talk about themselves in terms of their family, and know what they like and dislike.  When children are able to know and accept their uniqueness, they are more likely to be accepting of others.