My 9th grade theology teacher required his students to memorize “I am a unique child of God full of potential.” For me, that was in the early 1990s. I’m not sure how long he was having students memorize the quote before my arrival to high school. In the early 2000s I became a theology teacher, teaching 12th grade theology at Lutheran North in Macomb, Michigan. Following the lead of my theology teacher, I required each student to memorize not only Holy Scripture, but the quote as well. Around 2005 or 2006 a fellow faculty member shared a chapel message focusing on being “washed in the blood of Christ.”
Recognizing that “I am a unique child of God full of potential” lacked the Gospel emphasis I wanted (and was needed) I added “washed in the blood of Christ,” to the end of the quote. Since the mid 2000s, my seniors have memorized, “I am a unique child of God, full of potential, washed in the blood of Christ.”
Around campus, especially in the classroom you can often hear me saying, “Child of God…” often to rebuke a student’s behavior or choice of words. Sometimes, “UCOG” (Unique Child of God) will find its way into the day’s lecture-often when I’m describing other individuals: “UCOGs that have graduated Lutheran North would be able to tell you…”
It’s not overly difficult to remember, but it is certainly impactful and worthy to remember.
You can read more about the meaning and importance of “I am unique child of God, full of potential, washed in the blood of Christ,” by follow this link.