Practical Biblical Lesson for Youth Peer Pressure Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 15:33-34; Luke 15:11-32 1.

Question: What is peer pressure? Write your answer on the blank.

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2. Read the scripture reference below carefully and thoughtfully. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NIV) Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character. 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of GodI say this to your shame. (BIblegateway.com) 3. In what ways, does bad company affect your attitudes and actions? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________
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4. How is God dishonored when we reflect Him in a negative manner? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

5. Read the Scripture reference of the Parable of the Lost Son. The Parable of the Lost Son (NIV) Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them.
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Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, How many of my fathers hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Lets have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 Your brother has come, he replied, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, Look! All these years Ive been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!
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My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. 6. What social pressure does verse 13 of this Scripture passage have to apply to us today regarding peer pressure? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 7. How can we avoid making mistakes in seeking friendships for the wrong reason(s)? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

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Questions for Discussion What do I do when my parents do not like my friends? What do I do when my parents do not like someone I am interested in dating? How do I get my parents to understand how I feel about things that we disagree about? How will I know that God is speaking to me about what I should do in a situation?

Scripture Quotes: BIbleGateway.com

Teachers Guide 1. What is peer pressure A pressure to do something (ex. dress, behavior, attitude) in order to be accepted by the group. 2. Read the Scripture reference (1 Corinthians 15:33-34) with the class. Here are some suggestions to read long passages: o each students reads one verse at a time taking turns o teacher reads all the verses o students reads a verse and calls on another student to read the next verse o teacher reads the verses and stops several times to make sure students are following calling a student to complete the verse 3. Bad company can have a negative influence on our attitudes, judgment, thinking, and decisions that we make. When we hang around those who do not agree with our morals or values we risk this happening. We can begin to think and talk like they do without even realizing it at times. We may begin to think that some things are ok where at one time we would not have felt that way. 4. God is disappointed when we forsake our good values and living for Him. We are a disappointment to those around us even those who think that we are not very cool or strange at times. Your friends will respect you when you hold a higher standard, but may not actually or verbally admit it. You are unable to be the kind of influence that God needs you to be to your friends when you participate in their bad activity and lower our morals. 5. Read the Parable of the Lost Son Scripture Passage (see notes above for reading suggestions) 6. People like us when we can make them feel good. If we can offer them something that makes them happy, they will be our friend. When things get tough, or we lose our health, those same friends may forsake us and find some new and more popular ones. If we are not careful, we will seek to please people for the wrong reasons. This is not the way to gain true friendship from others. 7. We can avoid seeking wrong friends if we are careful who we hang out with, spend the most time with, and taking note of who our friends

hang out with as well. Going to church can provide an excellent opportunity to meet other Christian young people with morals that are similar to what you and/or your parents may have. Avoiding places where people hangout who get involved in activities that are not Christ like will promote better friendships in your life. Questions for Discussion These answers will vary from student to student. Each home is different, and many times you may find out that the kids know these answers if they will really think about it objectively with a teacher and their classmates. They may be more open sharing and discussing these things with the teacher than their parents some times. Be there for them and listen in a nonjudgmental attitude. Include prayer and the Word in your time of counseling or teaching them. Encourage them to respect the wishes of their parents; talk with them without arguing and yelling; realize that your parents have gone through many things in life and have a greater understanding than may be believed; Gods Word will give answers; when we belong to Jesus Christ, he will not fail to lead us in all we do. If there is any doubt in participating in a certain activity, it would be best to refrain from it while spending more time in prayer until the way or idea is clear. Rev. Dr. Jeanne McIntosh July 6, 2011