When You Feel Like Giving Up

Lesson Summary

This week, students learned about discouragement through the story of Jericho.

God promised Israel victory, but His instructions didn’t make sense. They had to march around the city walls once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day before the walls finally fell.

The lesson focused on this truth:

Just because you don’t see progress doesn’t mean God isn’t working.

Students were encouraged to trust God, stay consistent, and not give up when life feels discouraging.

Key Scriptures

• Galatians 6:9 — Don’t grow weary in doing good

• Joshua 1:9 — Be strong and courageous

• Joshua 6:20 — The walls fell

• Psalm 34:18 — God is close to the brokenhearted

Main Takeaways for Students

• Everyone faces discouragement

• God’s plans don’t always make sense at first

• Breakthrough often comes after persistence

• Obedience matters, even when it feels small

• God can bring down impossible “walls”

Family Discussion Questions

Use these at dinner, in the car, or before bed:

1. What is something that has felt discouraging for you lately?

2. Why do you think God made Israel march instead of fighting?

3. Have you ever wanted to quit something right before it got better?

4. What helps you keep going when you feel tired or frustrated?

5. How can our family encourage each other more?

Application Questions

Help your student apply the lesson personally:

• What is one “wall” you feel like you’re facing right now?(School, friendships, confidence, faith, etc.)

• What would it look like to keep “walking” instead of giving up?

• Is there something you’ve been praying about that feels unanswered?

• What is one step of obedience you can take this week?

Family Activity Idea

“Prayer Walk”

As a family:

1. Take a short walk together (outside or inside your home).

2. Talk about the “walls” each person is facing.

3. Pray together for God to bring breakthrough.

This helps students connect the Jericho story to real life.

Encouragement for Parents

Discouragement is something teens face often — socially, academically, and emotionally.

Your encouragement matters more than you realize.

Simple ways to help:

• Speak life over them

• Celebrate small wins

• Remind them of God’s faithfulness

• Pray with them regularly

Closing Family Declaration

(Feel free to read this together)

“We trust God’s timing.We will not give up.God is fighting for us.Our walls will fall.”

If you have any questions or prayer requests, we’d love to connect with you. Thank you for partnering with us in discipling your student!