Before you can influence your generation, you have to know who you are in Christ.

KEY SCRIPTURES
1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation…”
Matthew 5:13–15: Jesus calls His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
James 1:23–25: James uses a mirror as a picture of hearing God’s Word and living it out.

1. OPENING ICE BREAKER: WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Purpose: Help the youth experience influence in a fun way before connecting it to everyday decisions and spiritual choices.

What You Need
• 2 identical cardboard boxes
• 1 carrot or small prize
• 2 players
How to Play
1. Place the carrot inside one of the two boxes.
2. Choose two players. One player is allowed to look inside a box; the other player cannot.
3. The player who knows where the carrot is becomes the “influencer.”
4. The influencer tries to convince the other player to KEEP the box or SWITCH boxes.
5. The second player makes a decision based on what they hear.
6. Open both boxes and reveal who has the carrot.

Questions
• What made you decide to keep your box or switch?
• Did the other person’s words influence your decision?
• Was it easy to know whether you could trust what they were saying?
• Have you ever made a decision because someone convinced you to do it?

The question is not whether you will be influenced. The question is: WHO will influence you?

GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen generation…”
Peter reminds believers that they have an identity and a purpose. That includes young people today. You do not have to wait until you are older, graduate, or become a church leader before God can use you.
God can use you right now to influence your school, your friends, your family, your neighborhood, your church, and your generation.
Your age does not cancel your purpose. God can use you NOW.

JESUS CALLED YOU SALT AND LIGHT
Matthew 5:13–15
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
Salt affects what it touches. Light affects what is around it. Jesus did not call His followers to simply blend in. He called them to make a difference.
For a Christian youth group, this means we do not only ask, “How is everyone else living?” We also ask, “How does God want me to live?”
Your generation does not only need people who follow. Your generation needs people who influence it for Christ.

4. SECOND ACTIVITY: MIRROR ME
Purpose: Help each young person think about identity, the things that attract them, and the difference between outside influences and the identity God gives them.
What You Need
• 1 small mirror for each youth
• Stickers that represent interests, hobbies, styles, sports, music, dreams, etc.

1. Give each youth a mirror.
2. Ask them to decorate it with stickers that describe things they enjoy, things that attract them, or things that describe their personality.
3. Give them time to explain some of their sticker choices if they are comfortable.

Explain that the mirror can show what we look like, but it cannot tell us everything about who we are. Our favorite sport, music, hobbies, personality, style, and interests are parts of us, but they are not the foundation of our identity.
James 1:23–25
James uses a mirror as a picture of God’s Word. A mirror shows us something about ourselves; God’s Word shows us how God wants us to live and calls us to act on what we hear.
The world will try to put labels on you. God wants His Word to shape your identity.
The world may say: “Be popular. Fit in. Look like this. Act like this. You need everyone’s approval.” God says something different: you are chosen, called, valuable, salt, and light.


BEFORE YOU INFLUENCE OTHERS, LET GOD INFLUENCE YOU
What we repeatedly allow into our minds and hearts can shape our choices. As Christian youth, we can intentionally make room for God’s Word, prayer, worship, healthy friendships, mentors, and the Holy Spirit.
Ask the Youth
• Who is influencing me every day?
• What content am I allowing to shape my thinking?
• Do my closest friendships move me closer to God or farther from Him?
• Am I allowing God to influence my decisions?

DON’T JUST FOLLOW YOUR GENERATION — INFLUENCE IT
Romans 12:2 teaches believers not to be conformed to the world. Being different for the right reasons is not something to be ashamed of.
Influence does not require a microphone or a large following. Influence can happen through your words, choices, attitude, kindness, character, social media, friendships, and example.

“Know who you are, know who influences you, and use your influence to point your generation to Jesus.”
SCRIPTURE RECAP
• 1 Peter 2:9 — You are a chosen generation.
• Matthew 5:13–15 — You are salt and light.
• Matthew 5:16 — Let your light shine before others.
• James 1:23–25 — Hear God’s Word and put it into practice.