How to Teach Teenagers About Overcoming Fear

Time needed: 1 hour

Materials Needed
Sticky notes or small cards
Pens or markers
A bold visual (e.g., backpack, poster, shirt) representing “fear” (optional but useful)
A simple object that symbolizes faith (e.g., cross necklace, candle, seed)

1. Start with a Story

   Open by sharing a brief story about a time you let fear keep you from doing something you believed you were supposed to do—whether it was speaking up in class, sharing your faith, trying something new, or confronting a situation.
   
   Then ask your students: What’s something you’ve wanted to do that fear held you back from?
   
   Help them name their fear honestly. Some will say public speaking. Others may point to sharing the gospel, reconciling with someone, or taking on leadership roles. Acknowledge the spectrum.
   
   Pro Tip: Teenagers are more likely to be vulnerable if you model it first with your own honest (but age-appropriate) example.

2. Define the Problem

   Lead a discussion around why fear has so much power in our lives. Let students identify common fears:
   Fear of failure
   Fear of rejection
   Fear of not being enough
   Fear of not knowing the outcome
   
   Then frame the main idea of this lesson: Fear loses its grip when we fix our eyes on Jesus, not the outcome.
   
   Pro Tip: Use a backpack as a visual. Ask: “If fear is a weight we carry, what are you stuffing into this pack?” Let them call out fears and pretend to “pack” the bag together.

3. Explore Scripture Together

   Walk through Matthew 27:45–46, where Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (NLT).
   
   Explain that Jesus experienced the deepest form of rejection so we’d never have to. The moment Jesus carried our sin, He felt separated from the Father so that we could live with God’s presence and acceptance, even in fear.
   
   Reinforce the truth: If Jesus risked rejection for you, He won’t reject you when you’re afraid.
   P
   ro Tip: Emphasize that Jesus didn’t wait to be unafraid before acting. He obeyed anyway—because love moves forward even when afraid.

4. Facilitate an Interactive Activity – “Fear Swap”

   Distribute two sticky notes or small index cards to each student. On the first, have them privately write something they’re afraid of (e.g., being alone, failing, disappointing God, being judged). On the second, have them write a truth from God’s Word that combats that fear (you can post examples on the wall or hand out a cheat sheet with verses).
   
   Then, have them swap the first with the second—either literally (throw the fear in a trash can) or symbolically (place the truth on a wall or stick it to their clothing).
   
   Pro Tip: Reinforce the swap by praying aloud, thanking God for His truth and presence in the face of fear.

5. Challenge Them to Share

   Explain that one of the most courageous things they can do is share their story of how Jesus helps them face fear. Lead them through a role-play activity where they pretend a friend asks:
   “Why are you still a Christian when life is so unpredictable?”
   
   Let them try out answers. Then debrief the experience gently, reinforcing that you don’t need perfect words—just honesty and love.
   
   Pro Tip: Remind them they’re not alone. The Holy Spirit speaks through imperfect people all the time.