Scripture: Exodus 18
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God provides godly people to help give us godly advice.
- Students will learn God expects us to follow godly advice.
- Students will learn God wants us to divide the work He gives us amongst several people and to not try and do everything ourselves.
- Students will learn about and become peer counselors to others.
Guiding Question: Why is godly advice important to follow?
Materials: Peer counseling training materials
Procedure: Review the story of Jethro’s counsel to Moses focusing on how he gave clear instructions on how to follow through with the advice. Explain that there is a difference between regular advice and godly advice. God wants us to follow godly advice because it comes from His Word and will help us lead a godly lifestyle. God will put people in our life to give us that kind of advice and we need to be open to listening to them. Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help or advice but God does not want us to try and do everything ourselves. He wants us to ask for help when needed from the right people.
Introduce the service project. Ask students if they have heard of peer counselor training and what it entails. Explain that a peer counselor is someone who helps other people set goals, encourages them in life, and helps them follow certain rules. Use the peer counseling training of your choice to train students to become peer counselors. Encourage the to help other students who seem upset or struggling and if possible set up a formal peer counseling program in your area.
Additional Questions: How can students serve as mentors?
Supplemental Activity: Have students pair up with younger students in your congregation to serve as a mentor and have them work with the students in giving them advice and encouragement.