This activity demonstrates the importance of, and difficulty of listening to the still small voice of God and the influence of positive friends rather than the roar of the crowd. As it is a loud activity, I try and do it a long way away from classrooms.
This activity can be done several times with variations that demonstrate the different contexts we find ourselves in. This allows different volunteers to be used.
Two volunteers are selected. One is blindfolded. They are Paul/Paula Pressured. The other person is their guide. The tempters are part of the loud crowd. People have a nametag, which Paul/Paula collect if they bump into them. Nametags have names such as;
Shawn Shoplifter, Betty Boozer, Charlie Cheat
Dave Druggie, Rick Racist, Cyndi Cynical
Gwen Gambler, Lewis Liar, Alice Apathetic
Frieda Foulmouth, Marsha Materialistic, Sylvia Sly
The tempters are scattered throughout the playing area. The object of the activity is for Paul/Paula to walk across the room without bumping into any of the tempters. They are to be guided by the voice directions only of the guide. No touching or physical guiding is allowed.
The tempters make this task difficult by yelling confusing instructions at Paul/Paula in the hope of causing them to fall into temptation.
Just as the guide cannot push, guide, or use hands in any way, so the tempters are not allowed to reach out and initiate contact with Paul/Paula. They are to stand in one place with hands at their sides.
The variations
� The normal context is that the tempters just make the noise.
� Having the guide anchored in the one spot to make their job difficult, get the tempters to be silent, so that Paul/Paula has no idea how close she is to temptation.
� Have the guide a long way away so that the voices overpower the guides. This corresponds to how we sometimes remove ourselves from the positive influences at the very time that we need them.
Discuss how Paul/Paula felt hearing the voices, and what was most effective at influencing them, and why they chose to do what they did. Then ask how this experience may parallel the pressures they feel in life.
Something to thing about:
Read Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ask: What does the bible tell us not to conform to;
'the patterns of this world'
Or as J.B. Phillips has translated this phrase in his paraphrase;
'Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould.'
What do you think the world's pattern is?
Items such as Sex, Money, Power, Greed, Self Interest, Drinking etc.
Under what circumstances might you feel pressured or squeezed?
When those around us have different views.
What is it that makes certain voices louder than others?
Who we are prepared to listen to and take advice from. (reference to Loud Crowd game)
Biblical Exposition
The Bible makes 2 major suggestions to us on how to deal with bad influences.
Suggestion #1
Read the following verses
. . . if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; . . . my friend, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. . . . These people lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
Proverbs 1:10-11, 15-16, 18.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil people.
Proverbs 4:14
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26
Do not envy wicked people, do not desire their company;
Proverbs 24:1
Peer pressure is an ancient but ever-present phenomenon. King Solomon warned about this kind of problem long ago and it still exists today.
What is one method that the bible suggests when facing negative influences?
Avoiding those who are interested only in getting into trouble.
In what way might this suggestion be useful?
Reduce the risk of being influenced by such people
Suggestion #2
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:10
What might this mean to the way in which you relate to others?
We become like those we spend time with. Friends who are positive role models have a positive influence on us.
What are some of the problems or predicaments that you or your friends often fall into?
Jesus said;
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
What is our responsibility to others?
To steer our peers away from what is wrong and toward what is right
What is our responsibility to ourselves?
Being true to who we are.
Closing Meditation
Submit to pressure from peers and you move down to their level.
Speak up for your own beliefs and you invite them up to your level.
If you move with the crowd, you'll get no further than the crowd.
When 20 million people believe in a dumb idea - it's still a dumb idea.
Simply swimming with the tide leaves you nowhere.
So, if you believe in something that's good, honest, and bright
- stand up for it.
Maybe some of your peers will drift your way.
