Peer Pressure

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this module is to address the social difficulties kids are facing among their peers, and to teach and encourage them to overcome the negative and go the extra mile to make a positive impact, as this is our way of sharing God's light with those around us. Through this lesson they should understand the consequences of peer pressure along with ways to resist it, and instead make better choices that reflect God's likeness in us.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Picture yourself standing at the side of a river that is quickly flowing, and in your hand is a small pebble. Now toss the pebble into the river and watch how it behaves. Does it remain where you tossed it or does it follow the direction that the river flows? Which one is stronger, the pebble or the river?

Now picture a big rock in the same river. Does it move with the water? Does it hold firm to its position? Explain to the children that when we give in to peer pressure, we are like the small pebble that is swept in the direction of what is moving around it.

Who are our peers and how can they influence us? - Our peers are those around us such as our classmates, our friends, our family, etc. They can influence the way we act, the way we talk, or even the way we joke around. Have you ever experienced peer pressure? How did you feel?

Help the children understand that just as we can be negatively influenced by those around us, we can also show others an image of Christ through ourselves and be a positive influence on them.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

The Story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37

The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel according to St. Matthew

Memory Verse - "Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 1 Corinthians 15:33

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Let's look at the story of Joseph and his brothers and see how their actions affected each other.

We remember the story of Jacob, the son of Isaac, who had twelve sons, but his son Joseph he loved most of all, because he was the son of his old age.

Ask the children if they can remember some specific examples of why Joseph's brothers hated him so much. They should mention how their father gave Joseph only a colorful tunic. They should also mention the dreams that Joseph told his father and brothers about that caused his brothers to hate him even more (See Genesis 37:5-11).

One day Joseph's brothers went to Shechem to feed their father's flock, and Jacob sent Joseph to Shechem to make sure that his brothers were doing well (Genesis 37:14). As his brothers saw him from far away, they began to conspire against Joseph and wanted to kill him

"But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands and said, "Let us not kill him." (Genesis 37:21) Reuben, the eldest brother, convinced the others not to kill Joseph, but instead throw him into a pit so that he can later come back and save Joseph. However, as the brothers were sitting together, a group of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt were coming toward them. Judah, another one of Joseph's brothers suggested to the rest they sell Joseph to these Ishmaelites so the blood of Joseph will not be on their hands, and his brothers listened and sold Joseph for 20 shekels of silver. When Reuben returned to the pit, he did not find Joseph there and tore his clothes.

Ask the children, where do we see peer pressure occurring in this story? We see that the brothers all listened to Reuben when he said to them let us not kill Joseph. We also see peer pressure occurring when Judah suggests that Joseph be sold to the Ishmaelites.

Ask the children, how could Reuben have had a positive influence on his brothers? Reuben had good intentions in his actions, but since he was not courageous enough to speak up to save Joseph, he did not save him.

Another example of peer pressure in the scripture is seen in the actions of the people and the Pharisees throughout the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. When Our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, the people laid their clothes and palm branches on the road and praised Him saying "Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:9)

As Our Lord Jesus Christ continued preaching to the multitudes the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders, gathered together and began to turn people against Christ and soon after He was arrested and crucified. The same people who were gathered and heard Christ preach later were supporting His crucifixion Emphasize the strength of peer pressure

When we talked about serving our community, we learned the importance of surrounding ourselves with good people who can support us and bring us closer to Christ. It is also important for us to be good people and show our peers an image of Christ in us and to be courageous and choose the right thing even when it is not the popular thing to do.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Ask the kids to tell about a time they experienced peer pressure in their lives. Has anyone else experienced this same situation? How did you feel in that situation?
Is peer pressure only negative or can it also be positive?
Is it easy or hard to do the right thing when everyone else is doing the wrong thing? How can we resist negative peer pressure? We should always pray first and ask God for strength and guidance to do the right thing
How can we have a positive influence on those around us?

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

When we know that others are experiencing things similar to ourselves, it helps and encourages us through struggles. Encourage the kids to share their experiences with peer pressure so that they can support each other.
Peer pressure can be very positive. We can encourage those around us to make better choices that bring us closer to God. For example, we can be nice to everyone we meet and help those in need around us and set an example that others will be motivated to follow.
Remember that by keeping God always before us and remembering to ask Him for strength and guidance before acting, we can live in His image and likeness while also helping those around us grow closer to Him.

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Create a list of things that you can say to stand up to peer pressure in various situations. Try to get 10 different things on the list. You may complete this as a group or split the class into two teams and have them compete to see who can reach 10 sayings first

OR

Divide the class into groups and have them create skits and act out different scenarios they may face and act out the scene when they give in to peer pressure and one when they overcome the pressure.

Responding to Peer Pressure PDF

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Talk to your children about some qualities that they should find in all of their friends and encourage them to surround themselves with people who make good choices.

Encourage them to speak up when there is something wrong and reassure them that it is difficult to go against the crowd, but sometimes the consequences of the negative action can be worse.