OBJECTIVE: To encourage each youth to be a positive influence on others and to withstand negative peer pressure. Review enrichment activity 1 in the lesson manual for which the following activity illustrates.

5 Visuals (Color and Black & White) with instructions and a Scripture Challenge card.

LESSON DETAILS (below)

TO FIND LESSON (visit https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/primary...): Present Lesson 32 – Primary 6 Manual – Old Testament: Rehoboam (see enrichment activity 1 that this activity illustrates).

ACTIVITY: Peer Pressure cross-match puzzle
Read the quote from Robert D. Hales (Ensign, May 1990, p. 40): “A true friend makes it easier for us to live the gospel by being around him.” Help youth learn how to respond to pressure situations, and to be a positive influence on friends.
To-Do cross-match: Draw an arrow from the pressure situation (listed in the center column) to the left (negative peer pressure). Then draw an arrow from the pressure situation to the right (positive influence).

Talk About the consequences of each decision. Option: Use different colors to draw arrows.

TO MAKE Print and cut out the Peer Pressure cross-match for each child.

THOUGHT TREAT: Peer Pressure Pop. Open a can of pop and talk about the pressure that comes as you lift the lid. Talk about peer pressure as you pour each youth some pop into a small cup. Tell them a similar pressure (to this can of pop opening) is felt when friends suggest you do something that is wrong. You feel uneasy and restless. You can ease this pressure if you know your values (what you believe in). You know what is right and you can say “no.” This way you can be a positive influence on others.

“And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

THE ABOVE Peer Pressure Cross-match puzzle illustrates the following

1. Write situations such as the following on slips of paper and put them in a container. Have each class member draw out a slip of paper and then take turns telling how they should respond to the situation. Remind the children that they can be a positive influence on others in many ways.
   1. You have a friend who often asks you to skip school and spend the day playing. How could you be a positive influence on your friend?
   2. You are staying the night at a friend’s house. Every night before getting into bed you kneel down and say your prayers, but you know your friend does not have that habit. What could you do when it is time to say your prayers?
   3. A group of your friends wants you to go to a movie with them. You know that your parents consider the movie to be inappropriate, but your friends beg you to go. How could you be a positive influence on your friends?
   4. You want to go to church on Sundays, but some friends want you to stay home and play soccer with them. How could you be a positive influence on your friends?
   5. You have a friend who wants you to go with her to help a widow who lives down the street. You would rather play. What should you do? Why?
   Ask the children to share experiences they have had or have observed when someone’s example has influenced others for good.