Peer Pressure pt.1 - July 19th, 2011

Point of View:
Lets face it, we have all tried to fit into some type of group or “clique” before. Maybe it was to get close with a group of people, look/act more like them or to simply appear popular. We have all done it, but why? I think it’s because we all desire to be accepted. We want to feel as though we are a part of something, whether that’s a sports team, joining a band/choir or just having a tight group of friends, we all want to fit in somewhere. So as we spend time with those people we will generally become more like them, right? I mean you might feel the need to talk how they talk, do what they do or wear what they wear. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Realizing that we are going to be influenced by our friends, let’s not be influenced in a negative way. We have to realize that if we want to overcome peer pressure, we are going to have to learn to say no! It’s time to choose friends that influence you in a positive way rather than in a negative way. Remember, If you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to fit in, you are still not fitting in, you are just acting like someone they’d like. So…

The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to stand strong and not conform to the ways of this world! How can you do that? Learn to say no! If your friends want you to do something that your not comfortable doing (gossiping, partying or pushing you to get physical with someone), just say no! You can even memorize Romans 12:2 and recite it if they ask you why you wont do something you are not comfortable with. Tuesday we will be talking about whose approval we should be seeking, so… Part 2 comes next week.

Prayer Points:
• Thank God for making you unique. We all have different skills, let’s use them to bring God glory.
• Ask for wisdom, as sometimes it’s hard to explain why we don’t want to do something, but hey, that’s what being a Christian is all about, “Swimming against the current”
• Pray that you would be surrounded with a crowd of encouraging friends that will ultimately glorify God.

The Word:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2

So this week, I want to dig into peer pressure. Sorry if this inconveniences you, but I just see a need to run this one again as I have been noticing allot of people giving in to peer pressure this summer, and I want to address this now. We will resume with the media study next Monday (the 25th). Thanks for understanding.