Youth Group Lesson on Influence: Equip Students to Make a Kingdom Impact

In today's rapidly changing world, students are often unaware of the powerful influence they hold. Our 4-week series, 'For The Youth,' focuses on empowering them to use their influence to make Jesus famous. Through key scriptures like Ephesians 4:14-15 and Matthew 28:19-20, students will learn to speak truth, give generously, and live their lives on mission. This series is designed to transform passive faith into active evangelism, equipping students to impact their schools and communities for God's kingdom.

Why Influence Matters for Today's Students

Today's students face unprecedented pressure from social media and cultural norms to conform. According to Common Sense Media, teens spend an average of seven hours a day on screens, often influencing their perceptions and self-worth. In this context, teaching students about biblical influence is critical. They need to understand how their actions can reflect Jesus amidst societal pressures. By learning to speak truth and live missionally, students can become beacons of light in their communities, offering hope and direction in a world often filled with confusion and doubt.

What Your Students Will Walk Away With

• A deep understanding of how to use their voice to speak truth in love.
• Practical ways to be generous with their resources, reflecting God's provision.
• Strategies for building authentic community and encouraging others.
• The confidence to live on mission, sharing the gospel through their actions.
• Inspiration to see their daily lives as opportunities for kingdom impact.

Series Overview: For The Youth

This 4-week series, 'For The Youth,' equips students to leverage their influence for Jesus. Each week builds on the last, guiding students from understanding their impact to actively living it out. The series includes a focus on speaking truth, being generous, building community, and shining as lights in the world. Explore the full For The Youth series to see how this can transform your youth group.

Week 1: Use Your Voice

Proverbs 12:17, Galatians 6:1-3, and Ephesians 4:14-15 focus on the power of speaking truth in love. Many students struggle with confrontation, fearing it may lead to conflict or rejection. Yet, speaking truth is essential for spiritual growth and community health. Start with a personal story of when truth-telling saved you from a mistake, making it relatable for teens. Encourage students to be bold yet gentle, emphasizing that sharing truth is an act of love. **Bottom Line: Share the truth with others.**

Week 2: Use Your Hands

Luke 6:38 and related passages teach the value of generosity. Students often associate generosity solely with money, but it's more about a heart posture. Share a story of radical generosity you've experienced to illustrate its impact. Encourage students to consider what they can give—time, resources, or skills. **Bottom Line: Share your resources with others.**

Week 3: Use Your Life

Psalm 133:1-3 and Matthew 9:10-13 highlight the importance of community. Teens often feel isolated even when surrounded by peers. Discuss how Jesus' life exemplifies doing life with others, especially those marginalized by society. Challenge students to seek authentic relationships where they can both give and receive encouragement. **Bottom Line: Share your life with others.**

Week 4: Use Your Light

1 Peter 2:12 and Matthew 28:19-20 empower students to live missionally. In a world where blending in is the norm, standing out for Christ is crucial. Share an inspiring story of someone who lives radically for Jesus. Encourage students to live in a way that clearly reflects Christ's light. **Bottom Line: Share the gospel with others.**

Discussion Questions to Get Your Students Talking

1. Why is it important to speak the truth in love?
2. What does it mean to share your resources with others?
3. Why is it so important that we do life together with others?
4. How can you publicly honor God this week with the way you live your life?
5. Are you living a life that looks different from the world? Why or why not?

How to Teach This Series

Set up your room to foster connection, using circles instead of rows to encourage discussion. Utilize the series bumper video for a dynamic start. Structure your teaching block with an engaging opener, solid teaching, and time for small group discussions. Encourage participation by asking open-ended questions and using props or visuals to illustrate points. Adapt your approach based on group size, ensuring every student feels seen and heard. For larger groups, consider breaking into smaller discussion circles.

What's Included When You Get the Full Series

Access everything you need to launch this series: editable sermon outlines (PDF, DOCX, Google Docs), series graphics (JPG + PSD), title slides, bumper video, small group discussion questions, and social media graphics. See everything in the For The Youth series. Members get access to all 200+ series, equipping you for every teaching moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does each influence lesson take? Each lesson is designed for a 30-45 minute teaching block, including discussion time.
• What age group is this influence series designed for? The series is tailored for middle and high school students.
• Can I customize the influence outlines? Yes, outlines are fully editable to fit your unique context and teaching style.
• What scripture does this influence series cover? Key scriptures include Proverbs 12:17, Galatians 6:1-3, and Ephesians 4:14-15.
• Is there a free trial available for the series? Yes, a free sample lesson is available to preview before purchasing the full series.
• How can I adapt the series for different group sizes? Use breakout groups for larger settings and more intimate discussions for smaller groups.