H.O.P.E CYCLE EIGHT: PEER PRESSURE/SELF CONTROL (LESSON)
How to have a student-led club:
A student opens and closes meetings in prayer
A student explains the purpose of First Priority
Students read verses and questions for the week
Students share their answers to questions
A student shares his/her faith story and a student reads the gospel message on Engage Week
Week One: HELP
After Daniel was captured from Israel, he was taken to Babylonia and became an advisor to the kings. He was under
constant pressure to give up his faith in God and worship the kings. However, Daniel stayed faithful to God and in return,
God protected him. Staying faithful and obedient to God helps us to say "no" and stand strong when we are faced with
peer pressure.
1) Read Daniel 6: 7-9; 10, 16 and 19-22. What was Daniel being pressured to do? What was the result of Daniel's
faithfulness to God?
2) What kinds of things do your friends pressure you to do? Is it hard for you to say "no" to these things? Why or why
not?
3) Read Galatians 5:16, 17 and 22 and Proverbs 25:28. What do these verses tell us about self control? How would you
describe self control? Share a time when you used self control to avoid negative peer pressure.
4) What does Psalm 18:21-24 instruct us to do in order to receive God's blessings and rewards? How do these verses
HELP you stay faithful to God when you are faced with peer pressure?
Club Challenge: Ask students to pray for 2 friends to attend First Priority.
Week Two: OVERCOME
1) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three of Daniel's friends (See Week One) who were pressured to worship a
statue of gold, rather than God. Read Daniel 3: 19-20, 24-27. How were they punished for refusing to give in to peer
pressure and how did God protect them?
2) Read Psalm 46:1-2, Philippians 4:13 and Ephesians 3:16. Describe a situation when you encouraged a friend to say
"no" to peer pressure OR describe a time when a friend encouraged you to say "no". How did this encouragement help
you OVERCOME sin and stay obedient to God?
3) Read Daniel 3:28-30. How did the King's opinion of God change after God protected Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego? What message does it send to others when you say "no" to sin?
4) Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven." What kind of example do you want to be to your friends and family? In what ways can you "let your light
shine" at home, school or work?
Club Challenge: Ask students to pray about which student will share his/her testimony during Engage Week.
Week Three: PREPARE
1)"Holiness" means saying "no" to sin and being dedicated to God for His purposes. What instructions does 1 Peter
1:13-16 give to followers of Christ and how can you apply this to peer pressure?
2) Why are we to be holy and how can you show others that you are living a holy life for God?
3) Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us that as followers of Christ, we are to "put away" the old self we used to be. What actions or
thoughts do you need to "put away" so that you can become a new person in Christ? How can these verses help you
handle peer pressure?
4) Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. How do these verses encourage you to glorify God as you PREPARE your faith story about peer
pressure and self control?
Club Challenge: Ask students to invite at least 2 friends to the meeting next week.
Week Four: ENGAGE
Use your faith story to ENGAGE your campus for Christ. Share the gospel message and invitation.
Club Challenge: Ask students to invite 2 friends to church or youth group this week.