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2026-09-18: Dare to Be Different (HSG Sunday School)

When I look around at my peers at school, it seems like everyone has Instagram and TikTok, everyone has a boyfriend, everyone is going to homecoming and prom, everyone is watching the latest movie or TV Show, everyone dresses a certain way, everyone curses, everyone drinks alcohol even underage, everyone uses AI to do their assignments. And then I hear from my strict parents that we don't do those things. And I hear from my Sunday School servants that we don't do those things. And I hear from Abouna in the sermon (or now in the class) that we don't do these things.

And maybe I obey. I don't keep social media. I don't have a boyfriend. I don't curse. I'm responsible with my use of AI. I don't go to events that aren't fitting for me.

But it's uncomfortable. Why is being different so uncomfortable? Why am I different? Why are my parents different? Why is my Church different?

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2)

Are we actually called to be different?

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. A lamp on a lampstand will give light. 

Being Different is Uncomfortable
  1. Maybe I am embarrassed - worried about rejection or ridicule

  2. Maybe I am shy - I don't want to reveal too much about myself, and thus be vulnerable

  3. Maybe I think it is humility - I don't want to stand out, or else it will be prideful or "showing my righteousness"

  4. Maybe I don't want others around me to feel uncomfortable - they may feel the need to act differently around me
Courage (Dare)

It takes courage to be different.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Be willing to look weird. Be willing to take the lower grade. Be willing to get second place.

The Beginning of Discernment

Sometimes I can't tell if something is right or wrong; if something is good or bad; if something is for me or not for me.

The beginning of discernment is to assess right from wrong. St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians, gives us four principals:

  1. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.
  2. All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 
  3. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
  4. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

Is it lawful for me? Is it good for me? Does it build me up (or build others up)? Is it controlling? Could it cause someone else to stumble?

Activity: Apply these Principals to the Following
  1. Social Media
  2. Relationships
  3. Homecoming
  4. Prom
  5. Latest movie or show that your friends are watching
  6. Revealing clothing
  7. Cursing
  8. Drinking Alcohol
  9. Using AI to do my Assignments
    • What if it's allowed?
    • What if it's last minute?
  10. Music
    • With curse words
    • No curse words, sexual content
    • No curse words, no sexual content, secular
Little Foxes

"Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes." (Song of Songs 2:15)

  • Imagine you have a garden, and you see some cute foxes and you think "they're so cute" or "they're so small" or "they're not a big deal" so you let them into your garden.
  • They will spoil the vines

If I give myself concessions on small things, I am ruining for myself the big things.

  • A small concession to start having social media... before I know it, I'm addicted, I'm watching inappropriate things, and having bad conversations with my "friends," I'm obsessed with likes and follows, vanity, looking at others' page in jealousy or judgment or hatred or lust
  • A small concession to open myself to a relationship... before I know it, I am attached, I am considering forsaking my purity, I am convinced he is "the one" and I am rebelling against my parents and my servants and Abouna because of him
  • A small concession to go to homecoming... before I know it, my dress is immodest, I'm going WITH someone, I'm dancing, I'm invited to a party, I go, a relationship comes out of it, I forsake my purity, I go to more parties, there's alcohol there...
  • A small concession to the kind of music I listen to... before I know it, the music gets more extreme, the words are coming out of MY mouth, I'm bored in hymns class and in the liturgy
I Feel Like I'm Deprived of EVERYTHING
  • Who here has a phone? A new model iPhone...
  • Who here has their own bedroom, and the privacy of their bedroom...
  • Who here has a driver's license
  • Who is trusted by their parents to stay home alone
  • Who participates in extracurricular activities... volleyball, soccer, basketball, etc. music classes, etc. 
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