Chapter One
BREAKIN' THE RULES
1. What do you do to feel rebellious?
Listen to loud music Dye my hair
Surf the Internet-and go where I want Have a few beers
Watch an R or NC-17 rated movie Get an attitude
Get into trouble with my friends Smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco
Have sex with someone Talk with God
Turn on the TV Fight with one of my parents
Yell at my girlfriend or boyfriend Blow off my schoolwork
Wear something different Other-
2. What do you think? Y (yes), N (no), or M (maybe)?
___ The music I listen to encourages rebellion.
___ Rebellion is a sin.
___ No one has the right to tell anyone else what to do.
___ If my friends rebel, then I do too.
___ Rebellion was a 1970s thing-it doesn't apply today.
___ Christians can rebel in their own ways too.
___ Seeking personal happiness leads to rebellion.
___ There's a lot to rebel against in today's society.
___ Young people do what adults and authorities tell them.
___ Christ was a rebel.
___ Rebellion can sometimes be a good thing.
3. On the scale below, place an X where you see yourself.
* * *
Livin' on the edge Rebellious, but not crazy Occasionally rebellious Me? Rebellious? No way.
4. How would you answer these questions?
In what ways should Christians rebel?
In what ways should Christians not rebel?
5. Which of the following stories in the Bible describe godly rebellion and which
describes sinful rebellion? Exodus 32:1-4 (Aaron and the golden calf)
Jonah 3 (Jonah's witness)
Malachi 3:6, 7 (Relationship of God's people to God)
Matthew 2:9-12 (The magi and King Herod)
Acts 4:32-35 (Early church believers)
LEADER'S GUIDE [breakin' the rules teenage rebellion]
THIS WEEK
Teenagers are often seen as disobedient, stubborn,
uncooperative, delinquent, oppositional, and defiant-all
words that can describe some aspect of
rebellion. Some people think that rebellion in the
adolescent years is normal and expected. That's not
true. Most teenagers don't rebel. They buy into the
cultural values that exist within their communities.
But some teenagers do rebel-and get into some
serious trouble. It's every parent's worst nightmare,
and for some it's a reality. This TalkSheet provides
the opportunity to discuss both the good and the
bad aspects of rebellion with your students.
OPENER
You may want to start by having your kids make a
list of all the things that they or their peers do to
rebel. What do kids their age do to rebel? You may
get a wide variety of answers-some more serious
than others. Write all the suggestions down on a
whiteboard or poster board. Then ask your group to
rate these from 1 to 10 (1 being "not really a big
deal" and 10 being "really serious"). Now ask them
which one is most common among kids their age.
Why do some kids rebel more than others? And why
do some kids do worse things than others?
Where do kids learn to rebel? Ask your group to
name the influences that encourage rebellion. TV
shows? Older brothers or sisters? Celebrities?
Professional athletes? Musicians? Movies? Listening
to music? What are these influences and why are
some stronger than others? How does exposure to
the media relate to rebellion (for example, do those
who listen to violent music rebel more than others)?
THE DISCUSSION, BY NUMBERS
1. You've most likely covered this question if you
used the suggested opener. Widen the discussion
by asking your students when they usually feel
the most rebellious and why. What triggers kids
to rebel sometimes more than others? Why are
some kids more rebellious than others?
2. Take some time to talk about each of these
statements. What do your kids think of rebellion? What about Christians who rebel?
3. Some of your kids may not want to tell where they
are on this scale. You may want to ask where
teenagers in general would put themselves on
the scale. What about Christian teenagers?
4. Ask the group if they think they're rebelling in
Christian ways-or if they're conforming to the
influences of society. What arguments to they
have for either case? Do they think God sees
rebellion as a good thing or a bad thing?
5. You may want to talk about each story you're
your group. What does God say about rebellion? How does each of the Bible stories relate to
rebellion today?
THE CLOSE
Summarize the discussion by pointing out the two
types of rebellion-godly and sinful. Everyone has
rebelled against God in his or her own ways. No one
is perfect because everyone sins against God. But
God provided a way back to him through the sacrifice
of his son, Jesus. (Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians
2:14-18). Christians-as followers of Christ-are
called to rebel against the sinful pattern of the world
and to conform to the image of Christ (James 4:4).
How do Christians rebel today? What about
Christian teenagers today? How can your kids
become bold and very strong (Philemon 1:8) in their
faith? Where is the line between sinful rebellion and
godly rebellion? How would they define the two in
their own words?
MORE
Where do your kids learn rebellion or see it in the
media and in society? Go back to question 1 above
and ask your kids to list all the TV shows, movies,advertisements, music songs, and other places
where they see, hear, experience, or learn about
rebellion. What about godly rebellion? Is that condoned
in the same way that sinful rebellion is?Why or why not? Have your kids keep their eyes
open during the week for rebellion around them.
Where did they see it and what happened?
You may want to look at some Bible characters
who were rebels for God-and spoke up for their
faith, followed their beliefs, and served their God.
A few examples include Esther (who stood up to
her husband-the king), Mary (who was pregnant
with Jesus-when she was still a virgin), Paul (a
big rebel-who eventually died because of it), and
more. Have your kids look through the Bible stories
to look at the characters. How did these people
rebel against others for God?
(Continues.)
