Shiny InfluenceSample

Be a Shiny Leader Even When It’s Hard

Being a shiny leader who uses their influence to lead others closer to Jesus isn’t always easy. 

Like when your friends want to do something that looks really fun—but you know you’re not supposed to. That’s usually called peer pressure. Should you follow along? Watch this video for three ways you can respond to negative peer pressure!

Voice, choice, noise. Nice! You’ve got it. 

Jesus is, yet again, a perfect example of someone who used His voice to stand up to peer pressure. 

Once, a woman who was known as a “sinful woman” entered a house where Jesus was eating with some religious leaders of the time. They were called Pharisees. One of them was named Simon. And Simon wasn’t super happy that this “sinner woman” had entered his house, but especially that Jesus wasn’t bothered by her. Simon was actually trying to get Jesus to ignore this woman and kick her out. 

Nice guy, huh? 

And the “sinful woman”? She was just so happy to be with Jesus that she wept at His feet. 

Jesus knew that Simon the Pharisee was upset because it wasn’t normal to allow women like her into someone’s home. It wasn’t popular for men to talk with any women outside their family at all, actually. Jesus didn’t care. He used His voice to tell Simon to settle down. He chose to explain how much this woman loved Him, and how much her tears of worship meant to Him. 

You’ll read the whole story in today’s Bible reading from the book of Luke. And you’ll see what it’s like to be a shiny leader like Jesus! 

Ask yourself: Is there anyone who pressures me to do things I know aren’t good or to push away people I know I should love like Jesus did? 

Challenge yourself: Grab some paper and something to write with. Write down three fun or even funny sentences you can use to say, “No!” when someone asks you to do something you know you really shouldn’t.  

Pray: God, thank You for teaching us how to lead. Thank You for standing up for what’s right. Help me to do the same in every situation. In Jesus’ name, amen.