Taking It to the Streets

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

Lesson 9
Fall 2023
By: RLD Editorial Team
October 29, 2023

Lesson Focus:

Spread the word about God.

Bible Basis:

2 Chronicles 17:1-10

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Index cards (1 per student)
Pens/pencils (1 per student)

Summary & Links:

Students will consider their influence with others and how they can use their influence to spread the Good News.

Memory Verse:

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
—Mark 16:15

Students will consider their influence with others and how they can use their influence to spread the Good News.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

Who are your favorite TikTokers, YouTubers, Snapchatters, or Instagrammers? What do you like about them? (Answers will vary; accept all reasonable answers. Students may appreciate different accounts for being funny, candid, or inspiring.)
How have these social media personalities impacted what you like, buy, eat, do, or aspire to? (Answers will vary; accept all reasonable answers. Students may or may not have considered how they are influenced by those they follow online. Some examples may be overt: “Buy this!” while others may be more covert “I want to emulate her style or confidence.”)

There is a lot more happening on social media than just entertainment. Someone who has gained a following online and therefore has influence on his or her online followers is called an “influencer.” Over time, they’ve built a digital relationship with their followers or subscribers and now their opinion matters to others, so much so that their opinion can impact people’s choices on what to do, eat, buy, and wear. Many brands now want to capitalize on the power of influence these bloggers and vloggers have on those who follow them.

Social media presences and influencers even impact the way we think about the world, the news we consume, and the way people vote. If someone has a platform, they might be an expert on something—sports, inspirational quotes, memes, fitness, and so on. However, although everyone has a right to share their opinions, being an influencer doesn’t necessarily mean that these individuals have accurate information about the news or politics.

Invite students to watch the following video [3:56; stop at 2:33]:
NBC 26 Today talks to Dr. Ellen Selkie of UW Health Kids.

Do you think it might be dangerous to look to influencers for our information or opinions about the way we see the world? (Accept all reasonable answers. Be sure to mention that people who have lots of followers don’t necessarily have information about current events. They may be experts about fashion or exercise, but that doesn’t mean they’re experts about news or politics.)
Would you want to be an influencer, whose everyday life or social media account generates tons of followers and impacts people’s choices? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable answers. Students may think it sounds fun, or the power would be nice. Others might be more private or find it a big responsibility.)

As Christians, our motivation isn’t money or fame, but our mission is similar—share a message with multitudes; influence others for Christ. The man in the Scripture passage we’ll be looking at today wasn’t able to harness the power of social media, but he sent out influencers just the same.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Index cards (1 per student)
Pens/pencils (1 per student)

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class.

“Sharing” is part of our everyday life online, but it can feel weird in real life.

Do you have social media accounts? What do you share online? (Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable answers.)
Would you be more comfortable sharing something silly online or in person? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Would you be more comfortable sharing something personal online or in person? Why? (Accept all reasonable answers. Often, posting a quote or something that describes how we’re feeling might be more comfortable, or is an easier opportunity, than looking someone in the eye and telling them.)

As Christians we have good news to share. But sharing it can feel awkward if we don’t know what to say or how to say it. Or, we might feel that talking about our faith will make others uncomfortable. Sometimes sharing our faith might feel like selling a product that nobody wants. In reality, it’s more like telling a story, which is what a good influencer does. In the same way that we listen to influencers’ stories and trust them to point us in the right direction, the people in your circle of influence will listen to your story because they know you and trust you to be authentic and helpful.

If you were an online influencer, you would have a relationship with your audience, an authentic message, and a way to share your message with your audience in a personal way. Let’s apply that illustration to sharing our faith.

Distribute supplies (or invite teens to have them ready at home). Have students write down ideas as you read the following prompts.

First, consider where you have influence. Most of us don’t have thousands of followers online, or a group of prophets and teachers at our command, but we may have a younger sibling who looks up to us, a group of friends who value our opinion, or a leadership role in a school club or sports team.

Second, think about your message. There’s a lot we can say about Jesus and the Bible—but start with why it matters to you and why it might matter to your friend. Is it hope in hard times? Friendships when you feel alone? Answers to life’s big questions?

Third, decide how you’ll share this message. We have opportunities to share every day. Has someone asked you about your faith and you have a chance to tell them? Can you invite a friend to church? Can you share your faith through art? Will you demonstrate the power of forgiveness by forgiving? Will you help someone who is in need? Will you offer to pray?

Encourage students to put their plan into action in at least one area this week.

Close in prayer.

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David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

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