Focus: Helping Preteens Keep Their Eyes on Jesus

Focus is a 4-week preteen ministry series that challenges students to pursue holiness by developing spiritual disciplines that keep their eyes on Jesus. Using Hebrews 12:1–2 as a guiding passage, this series helps preteens remove sin, distractions, and excuses as they run their race with perseverance.

This item, like all our resources, is only available as a download.

This series contains special features that make it perfect for preteen ministry. Look what's included for free when you purchase ­­­­­Focus:  

1. SLIDES: Preteens tend to respond well to visual instruction. Many preteens watch YouTube and Instagram rather than listen to the radio. Adding a small screen (even a laptop) will allow you to use the slides to make each lesson stick!
2. VIDEO: Enhance each lesson with OPTIONAL videos you can play from a laptop, a TV, or any screen. Each lesson's video content helps to keep preteens' attention and support what you're teaching them in person. However, you can teach the lessons WITHOUT these videos if you prefer.
3. AUDIO: Each lesson has OPTIONAL audio tracks, including music for transitions and sound FXs that support teaching points. Once again, you can teach the lessons WITHOUT these audio tracks if you prefer.

Check out this Sample Lesson!

STEP UP: ONE YEAR OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR PRETEENS

This series is one of many in STEP UP: One Year of Spiritual Disciplines for Preteens. Get one year of curriculum designed to give your preteens a chance to STEP UP their walk of faith, learning and practicing Christian disciplines with 52 engaging weekly service plans. 

Or you can purchase this series individually here on this page. 

SERIES OVERVIEW

In this 4-week series, your preteens will explore what it means to fix their focus on Jesus and be changed by Him. Each lesson draws them deeper into the idea that holiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction:

Lesson 1: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1–3
→ Holiness starts by focusing on Jesus—not our performance. As we move toward Him, He transforms us.

Lesson 2: Throwing Off Sin
Hebrews 12:1–2a; 1 Corinthians 10:12–13; Romans 6:1–2
→ Sin loses power when we stop obsessing over it and start focusing on Jesus instead.

Lesson 3: Everything That Hinders
Hebrews 12:1–2a; Colossians 3:1–3; Matthew 6:31–33
→ Even good things can weigh us down. We’re called to lay aside anything that steals our focus from Christ.

Lesson 4: Running with Perseverance
Hebrews 12:1–2a; James 1:2–4; Matthew 21:28–31
→ Good intentions aren’t enough. Perseverance means showing up, sticking with it, and letting Jesus shape us every day.

Each Lesson Includes:

1. Opening Game & Lesson Intro to set up the lesson.
2. Bible Reading Time where preteens learn to read God's Word FOR THEMSELVES and discuss it in Small Groups.
3. Interactive Lessons that draw preteens into the discovery of Biblical truths.
4. Response Time when preteens will engage in "workshop-style" activities that challenge them to think more deeply about what they are learning and move into action.