PEER PRESSURE: Primary Lesson Helps, Old Testament Lesson 32 Activity – Rehoboam, Primary 6 manual

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.

DISCUSSION IDEAS (and spotlight the Scripture Challenge card above):

1 Kings 12:1-20

Rehoboam is Solomon’s son, and he becomes the next king. One leader, Jeroboam, asks for Rehoboam to relieve the people of the burdens that his father Solomon had implemented. Rehoboam seeks counsel from the men who counseled his father, Solomon. They advise him to serve the people and speak kindly towards them. However, Rehoboam does not listen to their counsel, and instead, listens to the counsel of his friends. 

To discuss: What promise did King Rehoboam ignore from the old men, taking the advice of his “peers” (young friends), which led to his worshipping idols and the 10 tribes revolting against him?

1 Kings 12:7 “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.”

Instead of serving his people, Rehoboam took the advice of his friends to make the burdens heavier on the people. As a result, the 10 tribes of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam, and made Jeroboam their king (leaving only 2 tribes under the rule of Rehoboam). 

Application:

Discuss times we face peer pressure, such as the scenarios included in the activity. How can we stay true to what we believe and not give into peer pressure? 

Help the youth understand the consequences of Rehoboam giving in to negative peer pressure. How could things have been different if Rehoboam had listened to the old men? How can we listen to the good influences in our life? (parents, church leaders, good friends):

#1 Study prophetic teachings (put the things you learn on paper – set a goal – and practice living the principles taught)

#2 Engage in scripture study (read, pray, reflect on messages, schedule time to study, use study aids, underline, search topical guides, record your thoughts, discuss, , make messages personal by inserting your own name)

#3 Seek uplifting friendships (be a good friend, share good values, participate in church activities, serve those in need)

#4 Personal teachings (live by faith-filled inspirations from prayer, counsel, and good friends)

#5 Bear testimony of truths (seek the Spirit for revelation, study the teachings of Jesus, ask God in faith, listen to the Spirit, live principles learned, write your impressions or promptings in a journal, know God is speaking directly to you, share your inspirations, apply principles to daily living to see the moral or lesson God wants you to see)

John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know “of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”