Zookeepers: Training Preteens to Manage Their Thoughts

Zookeepers is a 4-week preteen ministry series that helps students understand and manage their imaginations in ways that glorify God. Through the creative metaphor of a zoo, preteens will explore how to fill their minds with God-honoring thoughts, take wild ideas captive, and train their imaginations for worship and discernment.

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 ­­­­­Zookeepers:  

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 learn to take ownership of their thought lives—taming wild ideas, embracing creativity, and learning to filter influences through the truth of God’s Word:

Lesson 1: Fill the Zoo
Genesis 1:27–31; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 139:14
→ Our imaginations are a gift from God. Preteens will learn how to fill them with thoughts that are pure, lovely, and purposeful.

Lesson 2: Capture Wild Animals
2 Corinthians 10:5; Proverbs 4:23; 1 John 1:9
→ Thoughts like worry, anger, and jealousy can run wild. Preteens will discover how to capture harmful thoughts and realign with God’s truth.

Lesson 3: Train the Animals
Psalm 19:1–4; Romans 12:1–2; Isaiah 55:12
→ Worship isn't just songs—it's aligning every thought with God’s glory. Preteens will learn how to use their imaginations in worship.

Lesson 4: Visit Other Zoos
Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 13:20; Psalm 1:1–3
→ The influences we take in shape our thinking. Preteens will learn to evaluate what they watch, listen to, and think about, choosing sources that honor God.

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.