Family Home Evening – Back To School Leadership

Even though this lesson is geared towards school aged children, it really applies to all of us, no matter our age.
For this school year I really want to emphasize to the kids that they need to be”leaders” and not “sheep” when it comes to making choices with their friends.

A Sheep: 

•  Doesn’t make his own decisions.
• Looks around to see what others do, and follows.
• Waits to be told or goes with the crowd.
• Will always follow the leader, even if it’s not a good decision.

Begin by telling this story:

 It was reported by the Associated Press that, near the town of Gavas, eastern Turkey, one sheep among a large flock walked to the edge of cliff and jumped to its death. A second sheep quickly imitated the first, also leaping off the cliff to its death. Then a third sheep followed. Then a fourth. Then a fifth. The AP reported that “stunned Turkish shepherds, who had left the herd to graze while they had breakfast, watched as nearly 1,500 others followed, each leaping off the same cliff.” When it was all over, 450 sheep had died and 1,050 survived, but only because those sheep that jumped later were saved as the pile of sheep got higher and the fall more cushioned.

 **The Point**
Sometimes at school, one person might make a bad choice or do something unkind to someone else, just to be mean or to get their friends to laugh at them.  Others might follow or even join in with him – like a sheep would.  Instead of being a sheep and following, step up and be the leader!  Have the courage to do what is right.  Help the person being treated unfairly.  Be honest when others are cheating.  Do the right thing and others will look to you as an example.