Devotion on Negative Peer Pressure

A Bible Study Reflection for Adolescents and Teens on Bad Influences

Sep 18, 2008 Stella Walsh

There are teachings in the Bible that give advice and encouragement to adolescents and teenagers on resisting negative peer pressure and avoiding bad influences.

The adolescent and teenage years are a time of intense conflicting emotions and desires for many young people. They have a much stronger need to "fit in" than at any other time in their lives. Without a solid grounding in Biblical teachings, they can be very susceptible to negative peer pressure.

The Contemporary English Version of the Bible entitled Extreme Faith, produced by the American Bible Society, is a good version for use with children and teenagers. It uses clear, modern day language.

Bible Study Scriptures on Negative Peer Pressure

The following scripture readings are useful for Bible study on negative peer pressure:

Proverbs 1:7-19

These verses explain that fear of God is the most basic foundation for wisdom. Not knowing God and not submitting to His will is the same as refusing to be wise.
It is stated that the teaching in this reading is coming from a father and a mother to their son (meaning child).
The parents tell the story of sinners luring their son (child) into a fallen way of life. The lessons on how destructive this life is are explained throughout the story.

Romans 12:1,2

In these two verses, St. Paul talks about the body being a living sacrifice to God. Bodies are not just for personal pleasure, but to be used in pleasing service to Him.
St. Paul also discusses renewing the mind and dedicating it to God’s teachings, not the teachings of the world. If people follow the world they will not have a solid foundation to live on.

Galatians 6:1-5

In these verses, St. Paul talks about how to behave toward fellow Christians if they have fallen into sin. He warns people to be careful when helping others - sometimes the temptations that they are experiencing can be too much.
St. Paul also warns that a Christian who is helping another person should not fall into the trap of thinking that they are better than the one who is fallen. People should examine their own lives and compare it to Jesus’ teachings, not to what others are doing.

Ephesians 5:1-20

St. Paul discusses several things in these verses:

He discusses the fact that people should strive to be imitators of God’s actions. Christians should demonstrate the same type of love for sinners that Jesus does.
St. Paul warns about the many dangers of society that can tempt believers into sin. He warns that getting too close to sinful activity, even to observe it, is a mistake. People need to walk very carefully through the world to avoid bad influences.
He also discusses the need to apply oneself to learning scripture that will increase wisdom in discerning the will of the Lord.
There is a section toward the end of this reading where music and singing are discussed as a natural response to being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is very relevant to young people who enjoy these activities.

Youth Group Activities on Negative Peer Pressure

The following suggestions can help an adolescent or teen group reflect further on the scripture teachings:

The members could read the given scriptures together and have a discussion on how they apply to today’s culture. They could brainstorm what they have learned and make a chart.
The group could create and perform a dramatic piece on the story told in Proverbs 1:7-19.
The teens could write their own prayers about using God’s teachings to resist negative peer pressure. These could be shared with the group.
The musical members of the group could produce and perform a song on this subject.
The group could perform a service for a charity as an example of a work that would be pleasing to God.
Each member could choose a favorite section of scripture to memorize as a way to increase wisdom about resisting peer pressure.

Youth need Bible study and activities that will arm them against the influences of negative peer pressure.

For more family devotion to support adolescents and teens see Family Morning Devotion and Create Daily Family Devotion Time. For prayer support, see Devotion on the Lord's Prayer.

The copyright of the article Devotion on Negative Peer Pressure in Personal Development is owned by Stella Walsh. Permission to republish Devotion on Negative Peer Pressure in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bible Study on Negative Peer Pressure