A Bible-Based Approach for Sunday School Teachers
How to Teach Preteens About Worry
Preteens have a lot on their minds. School pressure, friendships, family changes, social media, and the desire to fit in can leave them carrying worries they don’t know how to express.
As a Sunday School teacher, you have a unique opportunity to show them that God understands their fears and invites them to trust Him instead.
The goal isn’t simply to tell children to “stop worrying.” It’s to help them understand what worry is, why it happens, and how God’s truth brings peace.
Why Do Preteens Worry?
Children between the ages of 10 and 13 are beginning to think more deeply about the future. They worry about:
- Being accepted by friends
- School tests and homework
- Making mistakes
- Family problems
- Illness
- World events
- Whether they’re “good enough”
Many keep these worries hidden because they don’t want others to think they’re weak.
That’s why creating a safe environment where worries can be discussed openly is so important.
What Does the Bible Say About Worry?
The Bible never pretends life is easy.
Instead, God repeatedly reminds His people that they are not meant to carry life’s burdens alone.
Jesus taught:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Matthew 6:34 (WEB)
Paul encouraged believers:
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (WEB)
These verses don’t ignore worry—they redirect it toward trusting God.
Helping Preteens Understand Worry
Rather than starting with a lecture, begin with conversation.
Ask questions like:
- What kinds of things make people your age worry?
- Is every worry bad?
- What happens when we keep worries to ourselves?
- Why do you think God talks so much about fear and worry?
Children often discover biblical truth more deeply when they’re allowed to talk first.
Use Activities to Make the Lesson Memorable
How to Teach Preteens About Worry?
Preteens learn best when they experience a lesson rather than simply hear it.
Simple activities can help them:
- Identify the worries they carry.
- Recognise the difference between healthy concern and unhealthy worry.
- Understand that God invites them to give their worries to Him.
- Remember key Bible verses through practical application.
Activities don’t need to be complicated. The best ones help students connect everyday experiences with biblical truth.
Encourage Honest Prayer
Sometimes children think they need to hide their fears from God.
Remind them that God already knows what they’re feeling.
Prayer isn’t pretending to be brave.
Prayer is trusting God with what worries us most.
Ready-to-Teach Bible Lesson
If you’re looking for a complete, low-prep lesson on this topic, Lesson 1: What Is Worry? from the In Real Life – Anxiety & Worry Series is designed specifically for preteens (ages 10–13).
The lesson includes:
- Warm-Up Activity
- Real-Life Situation
- Bible Teaching
- Discussion Questions
- Practical Classroom Activity
- Teacher Notes
- Take-It-Home Sheet
It’s designed to help preteens understand what worry is, recognise how it affects them, and begin replacing fear with trust in God through Scripture.
Explore the complete lesson and the full five-part Anxiety & Worry Series on Etsy.
Final Thought
Every child worries.
The challenge is how to teach preteens about worry in a way that will stick with them.
The question isn’t whether worry will appear—it’s where children will turn when it does.
By teaching them that God welcomes honest prayers, understands their fears, and offers lasting peace, you’re giving them something far more valuable than a single Sunday School lesson. You’re helping them build a lifelong habit of trusting God. Reinforce this with honest discussion, teaching ways to think about and lessen worry in their lives. And add to that activities that teach physical ways of dealing with worry when they come across it.