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Young Teen Teacher O
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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Lesson 1
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Joshua Conquers Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Lesson 2
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David Conquers Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15

Lesson 3
Hezekiah Conquers Worry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

Lesson 4
Shadrach Conquers Peer Pressure . . . . .  25

Lesson 5
Gideon Conquers Discouragement . . .  31
 Young Teen Teacher
Written by
Darlene Walls

Darlene was born and raised Iuka, MS. She was married in 1990 to Roy

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Walls. She has two children which are both married and serving in the
ministry. She also is blessed with one grandchild. She has been a nurse for
fifteen years, and currently attends school to further her education. She

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and her husband have worked in youth ministry for about nineteen years.
Working with young people has always been a special part of her life. She
has enjoyed teaching in children’s church, Sunday School and camp. Darlene’s
husband has recently taken the position as superintendent at Yellow Creek
Youth Camp in Hodges, AL, which will open a new door to ministry for them

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both. They attend church at Bethel MBC in Iuka, MS where they serve as
youth directors. She has also been blessed to serve as president in our local
district ladies association, as well as vice president of the MS State Ladies.
She also serves as Director of the MS State Ladies Retreat. Darlene has had
the opportunity to write camp literature, ladies programs, VBS literature, and
lessons for teens and adult ladies. She has always enjoyed writing and sharing
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the things God has laid on her heart.
Darlene’s prayer is that the Lord will continue to give her more opportunities
to serve Him.
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E-mail address: darwalls2002@yahoo.com
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Editor in Chief: Kyle W. Elkins, kyle.elkins@bogardstore.org

Business Manager: Wayne Sewell, wayne.sewell@bogardstore.org
© 2016, Bogard Press, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928
www.bogardpress.org; 1-800-264-2482

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Introduction

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Some people may say that after one is saved his life will be free of trouble; however, this is far
from the truth. We as saved individuals will encounter fear, threats, worry, peer pressure and
discouragements. The devil will use all these tactics to divert, dishearten and generally defeat

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God’s children.
Troubles and trials will come, but we have a promise in the Word of God that should bring
great encouragement. Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Who shall separate
us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted

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as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
8:35-39). A very familiar Scripture informs us that, “We are troubled on every side, yet not
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distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but
not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9). As Christians we will face problems, but we do not have
to live a defeated life. In The Conquerors, we will look at five areas that will help young teens
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learn how they can live victorious lives and be true conquerors through Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul could personally testify to the fact that a godly life is often filled with
experiences that are hazardous to Christian growth. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, he listed
over twenty perilous experiences he went through and came out a true conqueror. Fears,
intimidations, temptations and discouragements are not exclusively the lot of an individual like
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Paul or the other first century Christians. Jesus warned His followers through the ages to expect
problems. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Unfortunately
tribulation is a part of life; however, James stated, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations” (James 1:2). What gives Christians such optimism? The answer is found in our
theme verse, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”
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(Romans 8:37).

What Are the Lessons About?

The first lesson is Joshua Conquers Fear. The text is Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 23; 34:5-9 and
Joshua 1:1-9 as the scriptural basis for students to learn as Joshua did, that they too are to
abide in God when faced with fearful circumstances. Lesson 2 is David Conquers Threats
and uses the text 1 Samuel 17:32-51. Students learn from David’s encounter with Goliath that
threatening situations can be overcome when we trust God. In Lesson 3, Hezekiah Conquers
Worry, from Isaiah 37:1-20, 33-36, students will learn that Hezekiah responded to the danger
of an invading pagan king with prayer. His response can be used by Christians today when
they are faced with worry. Shadrach Conquers Peer Pressure is Lesson 4 and is taken from
Daniel 3:1-30. Shadrach and his friends resisted temptation by taking a courageous stand for
God. This lesson reminds young teens that they do not have to yield to the peer pressure of

Introduction 5
 this world, they can stand for God. The final lesson is Gideon Conquers Discouragement from
Judges 7:7-21. Students will learn that times of discouragement will come; yet, it is of utmost
importance to remain faithful and obedient to God.
Satan is our enemy. He works to hinder the Christian’s walk with God. He wants nothing
more than to steal the joy of Christians, which results in lives that are less than victorious.
However, by applying the life applications contained in these lessons, believers can be “more
than conquerors” through Christ (Romans 8:37).

An Observation About the Curriculum

After reading a lesson presentation, a teacher may wonder why a particular point concerning
a lesson is not mentioned. Making changes in a lesson when necessary is an important part of
being an effective teacher. The Young Teen Teacher contains information concerning specific
Bible truths and a guide that can be used to present the material. It contains the information a

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teacher needs to be informed about the lessons and aids to help facilitate learning on the part
of the student.
There is more material contained in the Young Teen Teacher than is needed for an adequate

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lesson presentation. The teacher should not feel compelled to use every piece of information
supplied but should adapt the materials and information to fit his style of teaching.

Each lesson is set up as follows:

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Class Time
Attention Getter
The Attention Getter is an activity that gives the teacher an opportunity to focus the
students on the lesson. Regardless of what form the activity takes, make it interesting, fun and
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challenging to them. The size of the class may require adapting the exercise.

Bible Account
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The heart of every lesson is the Bible record. Since the Bible account merely is a vignette of
the lesson material, the teacher should tell the account without spending too much time on
it. While it does not tell the complete account, the Bible account should give the setting and
emphasize the aim of the lesson.
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Life Application
Teaching a lesson is one thing. Helping the students see how to use the lesson is another.
The life application takes the biblical teaching of the lesson and concisely explains it in a way
the students can use it in their daily lives.
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Memory Verse
Each of the five lessons contains a memory verse activity. The purpose of this activity is to
encourage students not only to commit to memory a Bible passage relating to the lesson but
also to understand its meaning. Memorizing a verse is important, but understanding what a
passage means is also important.

Visuals
Use Visuals A-E (Young Teen Visuals) to display in your classroom for decoration or use
them on a bulletin board.
Your classroom can be identified by the Young Teen sign (Young Teen Visuals).
The Theme Poster (Young Teen Visuals) is to promote your VBS prior to the event. Use it in
your room as part of the décor.

6 Young Teen Teacher • Grades 7-9

Student Book
Student books contain active learning projects for students in the classroom. Each lesson
is introduced by an illustration of story relating to the lesson subject. There are exercises in
each lesson that should help reinforce the lesson aim. Other pages contain activities that will
help teach the memory verse and provide exercises that suggest how the lesson applies to the
students in a personal way. The student book contains records that will enable the student to
keep track of his attendance and memory verses.

Game Time
There is a game time in each lesson. Use the game book provided with this series. Should a
teacher wish to use a game, one can be selected he feels would be appropriate for a particular
lesson.

Room Decor

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Artwork that will help you create
background to use in your classroom

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are contained in the Room Decoration
Transparency Book. For an interesting
teaching area, begin preparing well in
advance of the week of Vacation Bible
School. Transparencies contained in that

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book will provide a number of possible
ways to enhance your classroom.

Bulletin Board
Use a bulletin board to give students
an overview of VBS. The Young Teen
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Visuals contain the items needed to
make the bulletin board.
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Teaching Young Teens
Young teens today compose the second largest generation in history, and they are now
making their way through schools, youth groups and churches. This generation is so full of
questions and contradictions that teachers of teens are apt to question both their abilities and
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methods of approach when presenting the Bible lessons. Making it even more difficult to reach
youth with the message of the gospel, so-called experts are suggesting to this spiritually curious
generation that religion is synonymous with Christianity.
Regardless of gloomy prospects suggested by present-day trends, God’s thoughts are neither
our thoughts nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8). His Word continues to be effective,
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and He still uses dedicated men and women as teachers to communicate with present-day
young people. The fact that God has used even a donkey and a rooster to communicate His
message may be humbling, but it should be encouraging at the same time. This emphasizes that
it is the message and not the messenger that is the most important. God will use whatever or
whomever He pleases to express His love to His creatures and help them live lives that please
the Heavenly Father.
While realizing that the message is the most important aspect of teaching, teachers should
also understand they have the challenge of helping students understand and apply the message.
As young teens grow older, they may listen to society that tells them reasoning, experience and
preferences are the basis of truth and truth should be validated by experience. While this is
not the case, effective teachers of young teens will take advantage of this mind-set and create a
context for learning by using exercises in the lessons to involve students actively in the process
of learning.

Introduction 7
 Salvation
One of the most effective tools of evangelism for a church is Vacation Bible School. Teachers
should use every means possible to introduce students to the plan of salvation in each lesson.
It is very important not to push anyone to make a decision he may not be ready to make. It is
your job to present the plan of salvation, and the Holy Spirit’s job to convict.

The following is the simple plan of salvation:

• To go to Heaven, you must be born again (John 3:16).

• To be born again you must first realize you are a sinner (Romans 3:23).
• Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. This means eternal separation from
God (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27).
• God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to die for you while you were a sinner (Romans 5:8).

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• God commands you to repent (Acts 17:30).
• You are to call on the Lord to save you (Acts 16:20-31; Romans 10:13).

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8 Young Teen Teacher • Grades 7-9

 Bible Account: Joshua Conquers
Fear—Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 23; 34:5-
Lesson 1 9; Joshua 1:1-9
Destination: Land of Moab
Memory Verse: Psalm 121:2, “My
help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth.”
Aim: The student will understand
and say that God is with him in every
situation.
Life Application: When I am fearful, I
will ABIDE in God.

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BIBLE BACKGROUND
Someone has commented that the most difficult instrument in the

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orchestra to play is second fiddle. This was exactly the position in which
Joshua found himself. For forty years, Joshua was at Moses’ right hand,
learning from him how to be a leader. One of the lessons he learned was
that he could conquer his fear of leading the nation of Israel by relying on the
presence of God.
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As with all great men, Moses’ time as a leader came to an end. After forty years, Moses
approached the end of his life, and it was time for someone else to step forward to become
the leader of the nation of Israel. Probably as difficult as assuming leadership from a seasoned
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and highly respected leader is the choosing of a successor by that leader. Moses was delivered
from that responsibility by the Lord when He chose Joshua to be Moses’ replacement. Having
been Moses’ second in command, there is little doubt Joshua understood that the role he
was to assume was monumental and had overwhelming responsibilities. Like anyone who
is about to assume a position of leadership, Joshua apparently faced his duties with a sense
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of trepidation. Having experienced these duties for over forty years, Moses understood the
fear this new leader must be feeling. In a public presentation of Joshua as his God-selected
replacement, Moses presented Joshua with practical ways to allay his fears and apprehensions.
Moses encouraged Joshua to proceed fearlessly in his new position based on four promises
from God.
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First was the promise that God would go before him into the Promised Land. God’s plan
for Israel was not merely to get them out of Egypt but to get them back into the Promised
Land. God was not going to abandon His plan because Moses’ life was over. When God begins
an endeavor, He plans to complete it. Through the psalmist God said, “I have sworn, and I will
perform it” (Psalm 119:106). When considering God’s work in the lives of His children, Paul
stated, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
(Philippians 1:6). Moses could speak to Joshua from experience concerning God’s presence.
He had experienced it at the burning bush, in his confrontations with Pharaoh, at the Red Sea,
on Mount Sinai and along the way through the desert. On one occasion, fearing God would
forsake them, Moses prayed, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus
33:15). Moses knew from experience how much Joshua would need God’s presence and what
it would mean to the new leader of Israel. He assured Joshua that God would go before him
and be with him (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Lesson 1 - Joshua Conquers Fear 9

 There is a saying which reminds people, “It is lonely at the top.” One of the frightening
aspects of leadership is the possibility of abandonment. Everyone seems to be willing to follow
a leader until he must make an unpopular decision, then things quickly change. The second
reassuring promise Moses mentioned to his successor addresses this issue. Moses reminded
Joshua that not only would he have God’s presence, but also God’s presence would never leave
him. Moses said, “He [God] will be with thee” (verse 8). Many years before, another child of
God needed this reassurance. Jacob left his home in fear fleeing for his life. On his journey to
Haran, God appeared to him and said, “Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places
whither thou goest, . . . for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to
thee of” (Genesis 28:15). Israel’s King David later testified of God’s faithfulness to be with His
children. In Psalm 37:25, David wrote, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not
seen the righteous forsaken.”
Moses knew there would soon be times in Joshua’s life that he would face moments of

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difficult decisions and times when the pressures of leadership would weigh heavily on him.
Moses knew these pressures would produce fear. When Joshua felt the strangling fingers
of fear, he recalled the way Moses handled them. No doubt Joshua remembered one of the

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occasions when the children were threatened by an enemy. Moses encouraged his people and
told them to have no fear because “the Lord is with us” (Numbers 14:9). Joshua learned that
fear can be resisted and overcome by relying on God’s presence.
Joshua gained confidence from God’s personal assurance that He was with him. God did

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not place Joshua in the position of leadership then leave him on his own. Moses had spoken to
Joshua and encouraged him to “be strong and of a good courage” (Deuteronomy 31:7). After
Moses died, God Himself spoke directly to Joshua and gave him a reason for him to be strong
and not to fear. God gave His personal assurance of His presence. God said, “As I was with
Moses, so I will be with thee” (Joshua 1:5). Along the way, God never failed to be with Moses,
and He promised He would be with Joshua as well. God never failed to lead Joshua. God
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was there to guide him, to uphold and strengthen, to shield him and to give him a successful
conquest of the land.
Moses suggested to Joshua that a remedy for fear was a reminder that God would not
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fail him. Moses had felt the disappointment of having members of his family question his
leadership. He had faced the anger of a great number of the people. In spite of occasional
moments of fear and discouragement, he kept on with the work God called him to do. Because
of the faithlessness of a prior generation, Joshua had to lead the Israelites in battle against the
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tribes of Canaan to settle the land. God never fails to keep one of His promises. Knowing the
assurance that God would not fail him eased Joshua’s fears and made him a successful leader.
Fear is an emotion that everyone will face at one point or another; however, he does not
have to succumb to defeat. Joshua abided close to God; he knew that his fears were no match to
God’s power. Joshua faced his fears with the assurance that God would help him. Today’s young
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teens should learn from Joshua that they should always abide close to God and trust Him to
strengthen, sustain and see them through when fear threatens to overwhelm them.

ATTENTION GETTER
• Index cards Divide students into three groups. Give each group an index card, a pen or pencil and a
• Pens or pencils Bible for each group.
• Bibles
Say: You are to read and study 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40; Nehemiah 3:11, 12, 15, 18. Based
on these passages, each group will plan a meeting with three activities that all young teens can
enjoy and from which they can learn.
Allow teams to work on the assignment. After several minutes, ask:
1. How does it feel to suddenly be put in charge of a project?
2. What was the most difficult part of having to plan a meeting?

10 Young Teen Teacher • Grades 7-9

 3. What risks are involved in being a leader?
4. What could have prepared you to be a better leader?
5. Do you think young teens can be good leaders? Why or why not?

BIBLE ACCOUNT
Joshua Conquers Fear—Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 23; 34:5-9; Joshua 1:1-9 • Bible Account Poster
Visual: The Bible Account Poster is the first visual in this lesson. Display the poster before (Young Teen Visuals)
presenting the Bible account. The poster reminds students that no matter the circumstance, • Bible
God can calm fears.
Forty years is a long time to be second in command to such a dynamic leader as Moses.
That is how long Joshua stood in the shadow of Moses. Joshua is first mentioned in Exodus
17:9 where the Bible states he led Israel in the first decisive battle against Amalek. He was with
Moses at Mount Sinai and accompanied him part of the way up the mountain to receive the

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Law (Exodus 32:17). Through the following forty years he served as Moses’ loyal minister or
servant. Joshua and Caleb were two of the twelve men who were sent out at Kadesh-barnea to
spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb were also the only men who professed faith that

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God would keep His word and give them the land. Throughout the forty years of wandering
in the desert, Joshua served Moses faithfully.
At one hundred twenty years of age, Moses’ leadership came to an end. Before his death in
response to God’s instructions, Moses announced that Joshua would assume the position of
leader of the children of Israel. Joshua was moved from second place to commander-in-chief.

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One may have difficulty fully imagining how Joshua felt. He would be responsible for the
safety and care of over two million people. That would be enough to strike fear into the heart
of any man.
Moses advised Joshua to continue fearlessly placing his confidence in God’s promises to be
with Him as He was with Moses (Deuteronomy 3:28). When Joshua assumed the leadership
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of the children of Israel, his fears were quieted by following God’s instructions and abiding in
His Word (Joshua 1:8).

MEMORY VERSE
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Have students find Psalm 121:2 and recite the verse in unison.
Say: This psalm was recited by Jews as they made their way to Jerusalem for the annual
feasts and celebrations. To understand the meaning of the memory verse, one must consider
the previous verses along with this passage. In verse 1, the psalmist wrote, “I will lift up mine
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eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”

Many Bible commentators point out that the psalmist was not saying he looked to the hills
for his strength, but instead the verse ponders the question whether or not he should lift his
eyes to the hills and whether or not they are the true source of his strength.
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Verse 2 is the response to his own question. The psalmist wrote, “My help cometh from the
Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
As they approached Jerusalem, the pilgrims would observe the hills on which the city was
built as well those which surrounded it. The psalm reminded the pilgrims that their strength
did not come from the hills but from God who made the hills and all the earth as well.
Have students quote the passage in unison.

LIFE APPLICATION
Visual: Display the Life Application Poster as a reminder to the students that they can abide • Life Application Poster
in God at all times even in times of fear. (Young Teen Visuals)
The psalmist clearly was teaching there is safety in abiding or dwelling in the presence of
God. The message is to stay close to God. The greater the challenge—the closer to God you
should be, abiding under the wings of the Almighty. We as children of God will face storm

Lesson 1 - Joshua Conquers Fear 11

 clouds of fear, but there is always a silver lining. No matter what we face, God is there with us.
In His presence there is peace, in the midst of the storm.
Young teens when faced with fears can learn an important lesson from Joshua. When times
of difficulty arise and fears threaten to overwhelm, God will be there to strengthen them,
sustain them and be with them through those fearful times. “He that dwelleth in the secret
place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). We can
abide in the safety of our great God and rest assured that He is with us in every situation.

STUDENT BOOK
• Young Teen Student A question that everyone should consider is whether or not he is ready to be a leader. For
• Bible example, Joshua served as Moses’ second in command for forty years apparently without one
• Pencils word of dissatisfaction. He faithfully served as Moses’ military leader and assisted him in
various other ways and was always there to support Moses. There is no indication that Joshua

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ever seemed to aspire to being anything more than what he was, Moses’ minister. Yet, when the
time came for Moses’ to die, God chose Joshua to be Moses’ replacement.
How intimidated was Joshua by the task God called him to do? There was no complaining

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on his part, but the number of times God gave words of encouragement to Joshua, it seems he
must have felt some apprehension, Joshua learned that abiding in God was the way to overcome
fearful apprehension.

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Have students read the article. Read Deuteronomy 31:8. Ask: What encouragement
should this passage have offered Joshua as he assumed from Moses the task of leading
the nation of Israel?

Page 5
I’m Not Afraid of Anything . . . (Right!)
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Students will tell what their greatest fears would be and how they would overcome
their fears in each situation. Ask students to share their answers.
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From the History Book
Students will list three individuals whom they feel represent fearless leaders and
briefly tell why (one present-day, one from the secular history and one from the Bible.)
Ask for volunteers to name one of the individuals they selected and tell why.
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Find the Correct Scripture

Students will fill in the blanks by finding the answers from a list of Scriptures.
(Answers: 1. help, deliverer, Psalm 40:17; 2. help, rejoice, Psalm 63:7; 3. trust, afraid,
Psalm 56:11; 4. hold, thy, right, hand, Fear, not, Isaiah 41:13; 5. Fear, thou, not,
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strengthen, uphold, Isaiah 41:10) Call for volunteers to share their answers.

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True or False
Students will answer the five statements with T for true and F for false.
(Answers: 1. F; 2. T; 3. F; 4. T; 5. F)

Taking a Closer Look

Students will fill in the missing words to the memory verse and answer the questions.
(Answers: help, Lord, earth Answers to the questions will vary.)

Have students write their answers to what does it mean to abide in God? in the blanks.
Answers will vary. Have students share their answers.

12 Young Teen Teacher • Grades 7-9

 Page 7
What Frightens You the Most?
Have students list three things that frighten them and then circle the one they feel
would be the most frightening. Allow students to share why this is the most frightening.

Choose a Promise
Students will choose the promise they feel is the most comforting to them. Ask
students to share their answers and explain why. Answers will vary.
At the bottom, have students read the article. Explain the necessity of salvation.

GAME BOOK
Be sure to consult the Game Book provided with this series from which to select an age-
appropriate game. While the game section appears at the end of the lesson, games may be

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used anywhere the teacher feels they will be most appropriate.

CRAFT BOOK

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If a craft time is desired, consult the Craft Book for an age-appropriate suggestion.

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Lesson 1 - Joshua Conquers Fear 13