Developing a Peer Army

What does it take to develop this PEER ARMY? Here are some ideas that give a solid foundation from Teen Life Ministries.

Hopefully, these brief lessons will help you turn your teens into an evangelistic force. We often talk about peer pressure, but now we’re talking about using peers for a positive purpose. 

The “P” stands for… Personal Faith.

“They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’” John 4:42.

The teen with personal faith doesn’t just believe what they have heard from others, they own their faith. It’s not dependant on second knowledge. It comes from first hand experience. For our group to become an army it has to be made up of “real” soldiers. Teens who have made a personal decision to follow Jesus. They didn’t do it because of a friend happened to be given their life to Jesus.

Salvation is an individual decision because of…

1. Conviction by the Holy Spirit.

2. An awareness of personal sin.

3. Recognizing the need for forgiveness.

4. Realizing Jesus is the only way to be saved.

It’s not a decision based on…

1. Friends making a decision.

2. Seeming like it’s about that time.

3. Parents wishes.

The “E” stands for… Equipping.

“…prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Ephesians 4:12 Once a teen has a personal faith in Christ we begin to equip them. We give them the training, tools, and resources needed for direction and confidence in Christ. Equip with…

1. Discipleship Studies. A disciple is a follower/student. We have to help the teens learn from Christ, listen to Christ and follow him. 

2. Spiritual Gift Development. Scripture says that every believer has received a gift for the benefit of all (1 Cor. 12:7). Take your teens through a study of 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12. There are other passages of course, but these center on spiritual gifts.

3. Training Tools. Each teen needs his own bible (which they study daily). If they don’t have one let the church give them one. In addition, make a reading list for your group that includes books like “The Case for Christ,” “Purpose Driven Life,” and “The Celebration of Discipline.”

The second “E” stands for… Evangelism.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 It’s at this stage that teens begin to get intimidated. They don’t feel that they have know enough, do enough, or are pure enough to share the good news of Jesus. Evangelism is not about perfection, but acceptance.

First, they have to accept that it is their responsibility to share Jesus. Without their willingness to tell others about Jesus their friends will be lost. Second, they have to accept the fact that none of us know everything and that sharing Jesus is not difficult (it’s the doctrinal differences that usually cause the problem).

Here is the simple, uncomplicated gospel message… “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” I Cor. 15:3-4 That’s what we arm students with. The straightforward good news of Jesus.

The first “R” stands for… Relationship.

The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). John 1:41

While we are to share Jesus with everyone, sometimes its easiest to start with friends and family. A relationship helps because you have a starting point.

1. Relationships are build on trust. A person who trusts you will be more open to the gospel than a complete stranger.

2. Relationships provide opportunity. Being around someone a lot means it’s not a one time shot. You can share the Lord when the door appears open.

3. Relationships possess key experiences. Teens know their friends’ hurts, wants and dreams. Jesus often approached people through their deepest need. The woman at the well in John 4 is an example. Her loneliness was Jesus’ point of connection.

Encourage your group to think about their exiting relationships. Have them list the people in their lives they can share the good news with. Have them write down the problem or need Jesus could enter their lives through.

The “A” stands for… Advance

In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus send his followers out to the towns and villages to teach the gospel and to heal. It might have been easy for the disciples to hang out with Jesus and be adored by the crowds, but they had work to do on their own. Armed and equipped it’s time to send your evangelistic teens out. It’s time to advance on the relationships they listed above. Send them out…

1. Spend time in prayer. Pray for each teen and each person they plan to approach in the name of Jesus. Ask God for opportunities to share.

2. Review the gospel and what the students will be sharing.

3. Depend on God. Jesus told his students to take nothing with them. Encourage your teens not to get wrapped up in tools or tricks. Let the simple message of Jesus and the influence of the Holy Spirit make the difference.

The “R” stands for… Report

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.” Mark 6:30 Jesus didn’t just allow the disciples to go and teach without giving feedback. They returned and gave up the details. They shared…

1. What was done. Where they went. What happened. Encourage your teens to share when and where they shared the gospel. Give them time to tell the whole story. In our fast paced world we want the Cliff Notes so we can move on. Don’t do it. Set aside a time for teens to get to take their time with their report.

2. What was taught. Get deeper than, “And then I told him about Jesus.” Ask for the fine points. Ask about the verses shared and what questions were asked. When teens give a report…

• They gain godly confidence. Even if the attempt to share didn’t go well, sharing the story lets them see that they can try again. It helps to tell the experience with supporting peers.

• It helps others in the army. They hear of what went right and can learn from it. They hear about what went wrong and can offer suggestions or love.

• A team is formed. Reporting let’s everyone see that “we are in this together.” Sharing the good news as a soloists can feel (and be) lonely. Regular reporting with build cohesiveness and strength in the group.

The “M” stands for… Mission

“We’re on a mission from God” The Blues Brothers. The sad thing is that the Blues Brothers were more active in their reckless pursuit in the name of God, than many true believers are. We are on a MISSION ! We have our orders and need to carry them out…

1. We are told to go and make disciples in all the world (Matt. 28:19-20).

2. We are to be armed and ready for the battle in spiritual realms (Eph. 6:10-18).

3. We are to fight the good fight (1 Tim 6:12).

4. We are to fight against strongholds and demolish them (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

5. We are to share Christ everywhere daily (Acts 5:42).

Have your peer army write out their mission this week. Help them focus on being active for God.

The “Y” stands for… YOUnique

I’m a week late with the newsletter because I just got back from visiting some mission works in Russia and Turkey . The work in Russia uses a different approach than in the United States . The work in Turkey is different than Russia . The missionaries understand the culture and the people. They understand Paul’s concept of… “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Cor. 9:22. Too often we try to adopt a specific evangelistic format and make it fit. Instead think about each person as an individual. See the “Younique” aspects. Each person is different. They have different…

1. Backgrounds.

2. Dreams.

3. Needs.

You can only “become all things to all men” when people are viewed individually. Jesus did heal the lame of blindness. He met the specific need. Encourage your group to see each person as YOUnique.