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Dangers To Our Families #3 Peer Pressure Introduction: While Germany was taking Europe, the French were preparing their borders to with stand the Germany Army. They set up their defenses toward the East, but the German Army came from the North. They actually attacked the French Army from the West. The French were not able to turn their border armor to fight. This illustrates that one must understand the nature of one’s threats. The same goes for our families. One danger our families face is peer pressure. I) BIBLICAL WARNINGS A) Exodus 23.2 1. People have a tendency to follow the crowd. a. Hair style, language, clothes, even in jumping to their death. 2. It takes courage to be different. B) Proverbs 1.10-19 1. Our "friends" can tempt us, set a snare for us, trick us into doing things we know better.v. 15 2. No one is above peer pressure, Galatians 2.11-13. C) 1 Corinthians 15.33 1. We can choose our friends and their influence on us. a. We have to be careful of who is influencing who, Proverbs 22.24-25 2. Our friends are a reflection on us, Proverbs 13.20. D) Why all the warnings? 1. There are natural consequences to our actions. Galatians 6.8. II) PEER PRESSURE IN THREE AREAS A) Gangs and violence. 1. Gangs can be a source of temptation. a. Become a surrogate family. b. Offer love, sense of belonging, security, excitement, drugs, sex, etc. c. Parents that are not involved, families without two parents, are high risk families. 2. Victims of violence. Stats a. Homicides are the 2nd cause of death of teenagers. b. 81% are male victims c. Teenage murder rate is 10 times higher that for the rest of the population d. 51% are non-white e. 9.1 per 100,000 for black teenagers f. 5.0 per 100,000 for Hispanic g. Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia account for ¼ of all such murders 3. There are natural consequences to our actions. B) Sexual attitudes and activities 1. 1960’s free love of the hippies, 1970s promiscuousness was accepted, 1980s saw some of the consequences with AIDS and STDs. a. There are natural consequences to our actions. Proverbs 20.11 2. Stats a. By age 13, 1 in 12 kids are no longer virgins b. By age 15 a third of the girls and 45% of the boys have had sex c. By age 19, 80% have engaged in sex d. Teens are more likely to have sex before 15 that those in Canada, France, Great Britain, and Sweden. e. One forth of the babies born in this country are to unwed teenagers 3. Young people and parents must be aware of the sexual temptations, 2 Timothy 2.22. a. Drinking parties, dances, parked cars. (Youthful lust—Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife) b. The number one place is at home. 4. Sex is not a casual relationship, Hebrews 13.4; David and Bathsheba.1 Corinthians 6.16 ; Proverbs 7.22 C) Drugs 1. Our friends can tempt us to drink or take other drugs. 2. The greatest difference in this area is in the 12-14 age groups. 3. Stats a. 68% of teens have friends who use marijuana b. 54% say the have been offered drugs c. 41% of teens say they have tried drugs 4. Actions have consequences, Proverbs 23.23-24. a. Addiction, death, genetic damage, etc. III) THE COMMON THREAD A) Those who are the most susceptible are those who parents are not at home and not involved. Mom’s and Dad’s are AWOL 1. 3/4 mothers work outside the home 2. 28 million children do not have a parent at home after school 3. 3.5 million children are under 13 years old 4. Trends in this group. a. 37% are more likely to experiment early in sex b. They are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol c. More likely to commit a crime or be a victim d. 27% more likely to be arrested Conclusion: Young people must understand the consequences of their actions,Eccl. 11.9-10. Forgiveness is possible, it is available in Christ, but it is better to not get involved and suffer the heartache. Parents must be aware of what their children are facing. Matthew 6.8 D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 01.21.07 |