10 Great Verses for Middle Schoolers

Middle school kids often have low self-esteem and struggle with life. They’re either flying in the clouds because they have tickets to the concert or are lower than low because their friend can’t go with them. Many of them feel worthless as they face growth spurts and other body changes. Many also have increased responsibilities at home and at school. Wanting to do a good job, but often feeling inadequate translates into feelings of despair. Our goal is to teach them who they are in Christ and the importance of desiring His impact in their life—a destiny of value.

Here are some verses  to remind teens who God is and what His will is for their lives:

1. Deuteronomy 29:29 — This verse is a reminder that God is God. Our kids are exposed to a lot of different religions, all saying that they are the right one … or that it doesn’t matter which one you believe in, as long as you believe something. We need to teach our middle school kids that we don’t understand everything God says and does. We can’t answer all the questions—God tells us that. He has secrets known only to Him because He IS God. He has told us everything we need to know. And one of the things we know is that He IS the true God.

2.  Job 28:28 — God’s will for us is to praise and honor the Lord and stay away from evil.

3. John 5:24 — God’s will for us spiritually is to trust Christ as Savior so we receive forgiveness of sins and have eternal life.

4. Romans 12:1–2 — The teen years are the time many young people dedicate their lives to the Lord. God’s will is for us to present our bodies a living sacrifice evidenced by the way we live.

5. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — God’s will for our bodies is to recognize that they’re the temple of the Holy Spirit—He indwells us. We should respond by treating our bodies with care and by avoiding abusive habits such as illegal drugs and premarital sex.

6. Philippians 4:8–9 — God’s will for our minds is to think about the good, positive things. Not everything that happens to us is good and positive, but God can use it all to His glory.

7. Ephesians 2:8–10 — God’s will for our lives is salvation through grace! This alone shows us how valuable we are to Him. Then He tells us that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works! Talk about a holy purpose!

8. 1 Timothy 4:12 — God’s will for our lives is to be an example in all we say and do. Others are watching—which is a good thing to remember when faced with temptation.

9. 1 Timothy 6:17 — God’s will for our money and possessions is to understand that it can be a good thing and help us share with others—but should not be a focus of our lives. (The goal of many kids this age is to be rich and famous. They need God’s perspective on finances.)

10. Philippians 3:14 — This is God’s will for our future. God has given us a goal. We need to focus on the goal and move forward.