Leader’s guide · 12 weeks
Leader’s guide: How to Succeed in the Christian Life (For Teens)
Using this guide with a class? See Ochorus for schools or homeschool families
This guide takes your group through How to Succeed in the Christian Life (For Teens) in twelve weeks, one chapter each week. It’s written for teenagers aged about 13 to 18 and works well for a youth group, a homeschool or a small group. R. A. Torrey wrote the book for new Christians who wanted to know how to keep going, and this edition passes on his practical advice: beginning right by receiving Jesus, confessing him openly, assurance, the Holy Spirit, Bible reading, prayer, friendships, sharing faith, standing firm and taking the next step. It is especially useful for teens who have just come to faith or want to grow.
Each session takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Welcome everyone and say the memory verse together. Read the chapter, either aloud together or at home beforehand. Talk it through using the chapter’s three questions, which come with answers to help you. Do the activity, which takes about 10 minutes. Then close by praying the chapter’s prayer, or one of your own.
To prepare, read the chapter yourself and look over the activity; most weeks need only paper, pens and Bibles. Chapter 1 tells how Torrey, as a student, was so full of despair that he meant to end his life, so read it ahead, handle it gently, and know where to point a teen for help, including a crisis line where you live. Other chapters touch on doubts about salvation, guilt, hard questions about the Bible and being mocked or bullied for faith; make room for honest questions, keep personal reflection private, and follow up quietly with anyone who seems anxious or is being hurt. Where Christians describe the Holy Spirit’s work differently, Chapter 5 leaves room for your church’s own teaching.
Week 1 — The Student Who Ran Out of Road
R. A. Torrey, born in 1856 to a wealthy family and prayed for by his mother, threw himself into the theatre, horse racing, card games and heavy drinking at Yale until one night in 1875 he was in such despair that he meant to end his life, but prayed instead and promised to do whatever God asked. He became a minister, trusted God for his family’s needs, led Moody’s Bible school, was known for prayer and preached around the world. He wrote this book for new Christians. The big idea: it is never too late to begin again with God.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Memory verse
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Talk together
What kind of life did Torrey live at Yale?
A wild one: the theatre, horse racing, card games and heavy drinking.
What happened on that night in 1875?
In deep despair he meant to end his life, but found himself praying, remembering his mother’s prayers, and promised to do whatever God asked.
Who did Torrey write this book for?
New Christians who wanted to know how to keep going in following Jesus.
Activity
Begin Again
You will need: Paper and pens
- Read aloud Torrey’s line: “If any one who reads these pages has begun wrong, it is a very simple matter to begin over again and begin right.”
- Discuss the part his mother’s prayers played in his story.
- Ask everyone to write down, for themselves, one area of life where they would like to begin again with God.
- Invite each person to think of someone who has prayed for them and plan how to thank them this week.
- Close by reminding the group that if anyone ever feels as low as Torrey did, they should tell a trusted adult straight away, and that you are available to talk.
Week 2 — Beginning Right
Torrey says nothing matters more than beginning right, and the right beginning is receiving Jesus: taking him to be for yourself all that God offers him to be, the one who died for your sins and your risen Lord. Nobody is too bad to receive him, and nobody is too good to need to. Growing up in church or being nice is not the same as personally receiving him. The big idea: the Christian life begins by receiving Jesus, and anyone can begin right today.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” — John 1:12 (KJV)
Memory verse
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12
Talk together
What does Torrey say is the right beginning of the Christian life?
Receiving Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to receive Jesus, according to Torrey?
To take Christ to be to yourself all that God offers him to be: Saviour, Lord and everything God gives him to be.
Can someone who has begun wrong start again?
Yes; Torrey says it is a very simple matter to begin over again and begin right.
Activity
Knowing About or Receiving?
You will need: Paper and pens
- Draw two columns on a board: “Knowing about Jesus” and “Receiving Jesus.”
- Ask the group to suggest what belongs in each column, using the chapter.
- Discuss Torrey’s two points: nobody is too bad, and nobody is too good.
- Read John 1:12 and John 3:16 aloud together.
- Give everyone a quiet minute to talk to Jesus privately, either receiving him for the first time or thanking him for making them God’s child.
Week 3 — No Secret Agents
Torrey says a secret disciple is no disciple at all: when Jesus is real to us it shows, and we should confess him constantly at home, at school and at play, without parading our faith. He warns that failing to confess Christ is a common cause of drifting away, while letting it be known protects us from temptation. The big idea: don’t show off, but don’t hide; the more you make of Jesus, the more he will make of you.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 10:32 (KJV)
Memory verse
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
Talk together
What does Torrey say about secret disciples?
To be a secret disciple means to be no disciple at all.
Does confessing Christ mean showing off?
No; we should not parade our faith, but we should leave no one in doubt that we belong to Christ.
How can letting people know you are a Christian protect you?
It saves you from many temptations, because people know where you stand, and it helps prevent drifting.
Activity
Natural, Not Pushy
You will need: Paper and pens
- Read Torrey’s line: “we should not parade our Christianity or our piety, but we should leave no one in doubt whether we belong to Christ.”
- As a group, list everyday moments when a teen might naturally let people know they follow Jesus, such as being asked about the weekend.
- Sort the ideas into “natural” and “showing off,” and discuss the difference.
- Talk about how being known as a Christian can protect someone from pressure.
- Challenge everyone to try one natural way of letting someone know they follow Jesus this week.
Week 4 — You Can Know
Torrey teaches from 1 John 5:13 that Christians can know they have eternal life, not because of changing feelings but because God’s word says so. This assurance brings joy and power, and when the enemy brings up our past sins, we should look at what God looks at: Jesus on the cross. Brooding over forgiven sins, Torrey says, is ingratitude, not humility. The big idea: if you have received Jesus, you can know you belong to God, because God has said so.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” — 1 John 5:13 (KJV)
Memory verse
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
Talk together
Why did John write his first letter, according to 1 John 5:13?
So that believers may know that they have eternal life.
On what ground can a believer know they are a child of God?
On the surest of all grounds: because God’s Word says so.
What does Torrey say about brooding over forgiven sins?
That it is an act of base ingratitude to God, who has cancelled them.
Activity
Feelings or Facts?
You will need: Small cards and pens
- Draw a wavy line on a board labelled “feelings” and a straight line labelled “God’s promises.”
- Discuss what kinds of things make our feelings about God go up and down.
- Read Torrey’s words about brooding over sins God has cancelled, and talk about why that is not true humility.
- Give everyone a card to write out 1 John 5:13 and John 1:12.
- Encourage them to read the card whenever they feel unsure this week and say: “God says I can know. I trust what he says.”
Week 5 — Receiving the Holy Spirit
Torrey tells how Paul met twelve disciples in Ephesus who had not heard of the Holy Spirit, and after the Spirit came on them a great revival followed. He calls receiving the Spirit the secret of joy, victory over sin, power in prayer and effective service, while noting every Christian has the Spirit in some sense. Christians describe this differently, but all agree the Christian life is not lived in our own strength. The big idea: ask God honestly for the Holy Spirit, and trust him to give.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” — Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Memory verse
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Talk together
What question did Paul ask the disciples at Ephesus?
Whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed.
What does Torrey say is the great secret of joy, victory over sin, power in prayer and effective service?
Receiving the Holy Spirit.
How can we receive more of the Holy Spirit?
By surrendering to God and asking our heavenly Father, who promises to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Activity
Ask, Don’t Fake It
You will need: Bibles
- Read Acts 19:1–6 aloud together.
- Then read Luke 11:11–13 and discuss what Jesus says about the Father’s willingness to give.
- Talk about the four things Torrey says the Spirit brings: joy, victory over sin, power in prayer and effective service. Which do teens most want?
- Discuss why we don’t need to fake an experience or work up emotions.
- Encourage everyone to pray each morning this week: “Father, you promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. I’m asking. Fill me today.”
Week 6 — Keep Looking at Jesus
Torrey’s secret of joy and victory is never to lose sight of Jesus: look at him on the cross when you feel guilty, look at him risen when you are tempted, and follow him in everything. He warns that one of the commonest causes of failure is following a good person we admire, because no one, however good, can be safely followed. The big idea: build your faith on Jesus, not on Christian heroes, and keep looking at him.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Memory verse
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Talk together
What are Torrey’s three ways of looking at Jesus?
As the ground of our forgiveness on the cross, as our risen Saviour who gives victory, and as the one we follow.
What should you do if you give in to temptation?
Confess it, know it is forgiven because God says so, and look to Jesus again.
Why does Torrey warn against following a good person we admire?
Because no one but Jesus is perfect, and following anyone else will lead us astray.
Activity
Three Ways to Look
You will need: Paper and pens
- Write three situations on a board: “I feel guilty,” “I’m tempted” and “I don’t know what to do.”
- Ask the group to match each one with Torrey’s three ways of looking at Jesus: on the cross, risen, and as the one we follow.
- Discuss why following a Christian hero can be risky, and what happens when a hero lets us down.
- Ask everyone to write down, for themselves, which of the three situations they meet most often.
- Encourage them to practise that way of looking at Jesus each time it comes up this week.
Week 7 — Feed Yourself
Torrey says nothing matters more for spiritual growth than regular, systematic Bible study. The Bible is the soul’s food, a weekly sermon is not enough, and we must learn to feed ourselves, never letting a day pass without reading. Even after twenty-five years as a Christian he would not dare to skip a day. The big idea: a little of God’s word every day is far better than a lot once in a while.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Memory verse
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
Talk together
What does Torrey compare Bible study to?
Food: the Bible is the soul’s food, and we need it daily, not just once a week.
Why does Torrey say we must learn to feed ourselves?
Because depending only on others leaves us unable to recognise error; reading for ourselves keeps us safe.
What is Torrey’s most important piece of advice about Bible study?
To read it every day, never letting a single day go by.
Activity
A Chapter a Day
You will need: Bibles, paper and pens
- Read Torrey’s comparison between food for the body and food for the soul.
- Have everyone read Mark 1 or John 1 quietly to themselves.
- Ask each person to write down one verse that stood out, and what it shows about God, about themselves, and what to do.
- Share a few of the verses as a group, for those who wish.
- Challenge everyone to read one chapter every day this week and write down a verse from each.
Week 8 — The Hard Bits
Torrey admits the Bible has hard parts and wants them faced honestly. Difficulties are to be expected in a revelation from an infinite God, a difficulty doesn’t prove something false, as the phases of Venus later showed astronomers, and there are bigger difficulties in thinking the Bible merely human. His advice: be honest, keep reading, ask questions and don’t give up what you have good reason to trust. The big idea: you don’t need every answer to keep following Jesus.
“Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
Memory verse
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Talk together
Why does Torrey say difficulties in the Bible are to be expected?
Because it is the revelation of an infinite God to limited people; a revelation as simple as the multiplication table would not be believable.
What does the example of Venus’s phases show?
That a difficulty does not prove something false; it may come from not yet having all the facts.
What should you do with your doubts and questions?
Be honest, keep reading, ask questions, talk them through with a wise Christian, and keep trusting God.
Activity
Question Box
You will need: Slips of paper, pens and a box or bag
- Give everyone a slip of paper to write down, anonymously, one hard question about the Bible or faith.
- Collect the slips in a box or bag and mix them up.
- Read a few out and talk about them together, using Torrey’s points that difficulties are expected and don’t prove something false.
- Note any questions you can’t answer now and promise to come back to them.
- Encourage everyone to ask a wise Christian adult about their own question this week.
Week 9 — An Audience with the King
Torrey, famous for prayer, says anyone who wants to succeed as a Christian must lead a life of prayer, with set times alone with God as well as praying anywhere. Prayer is a privilege, an audience with the King and talking with our Father. His practical tip is to start the day with thanks and to pray ahead about the day’s temptations, as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane while the disciples slept. The big idea: win your battles on your knees before temptation comes.
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” — Psalm 55:17 (KJV)
Memory verse
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
Psalm 55:17
Talk together
Why do many Christians have little victory, according to Torrey and James?
Because they do not ask: “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”
How does Torrey describe prayer?
As a wonderful privilege, an audience with the King, talking to our Father.
What does Torrey mean by fighting your battles on your knees?
Praying ahead about the temptations and challenges of the day before they come, so you gain the victory in advance.
Activity
Plan the Day in Prayer
You will need: Paper and pens
- Read Torrey’s words: “Anticipate your battles, fight them on your knees before temptation comes and you will always have victory.”
- Ask everyone to write down, for themselves, a typical tomorrow, from waking to bedtime.
- Have them mark two or three moments where they expect something hard: a lesson, a person or a temptation.
- Spend a few minutes in quiet prayer over those moments, starting with thanks.
- Challenge everyone to take five minutes each morning this week to do the same before leaving the house.
Week 10 — Friends and Fun
Torrey says our companions shape our character, and encourages every young Christian to have a few close Christian friends to talk and pray with. We should also know people who don’t share our faith, always seeking to lift them up, and give up a friendship that keeps dragging us from God. On fun, he says young people need recreation and offers questions rather than rules: can I do it to God’s glory, take Christ with me and ask his blessing on it? The big idea: choose friends and fun that help you grow, as a trusting, glad child of God.
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” — Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)
Memory verse
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
Talk together
What kind of close friends does Torrey recommend?
A few wisely chosen friends of about your own age who love God, pray, and want to grow.
What does Torrey say about friends who don’t share our faith?
We should know and love them to point them to Christ, but always be lifting them up, or they will drag us down; if a friendship is harming us, we should give it up.
Name two of Torrey’s questions for deciding about fun.
Any two of: if in doubt, leave it alone; can I do it to God’s glory; will it hurt my influence; can I pray about it; can I take Christ with me.
Activity
Torrey’s Questions
You will need: Paper and pens
- Write Torrey’s questions on a board: Can I do this to the glory of God? Will it hurt my influence for good? Can I pray about it and ask God’s blessing? Can I take Christ with me there?
- Read out a few made-up situations, such as a party invitation, a new game, a film or an app.
- In small groups, have teens run each situation through the questions and decide what they would do.
- Discuss the difference between using the questions wisely and becoming anxious about everything.
- Ask everyone to think privately about the three or four people they spend most time with, and thank God for the good friends among them.
Week 11 — Telling Others
Torrey says the working Christian is the happy and strong Christian: serving God keeps the soul healthy, and those busy winning others to Christ are full of joy. For teens that might mean praying for friends, inviting someone along or being honest about faith. He also had a heart for missions, saying some can go, all can give and all can pray. The big idea: following Jesus means helping others know him, starting where you are.
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19 (KJV)
Memory verse
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
Talk together
Why does Torrey compare serving God to exercise?
Because just as the body needs exercise to stay strong, the soul needs to serve God to stay strong.
What does Torrey say about people who are active in sharing their faith?
They are full of joy in Christ himself.
What are Torrey’s three ways to “go” to the nations?
Some can go in person, all can give, and all can pray.
Activity
Three Names
You will need: Small cards and pens
- Read Torrey’s line: “The working Christian is the happy Christian. The working Christian is the strong Christian.”
- As a group, list realistic ways a teenager can help others know Jesus, from prayer to kindness to an invitation.
- Give everyone a card to write down, privately, the first names of three friends who don’t yet know Jesus.
- Talk about Torrey’s three ways to “go”: go, give and pray, and which ones the group could do now.
- Encourage everyone to pray for their three friends by name every day this week.
Week 12 — Standing Firm and the Next Step
Torrey warns that following Jesus will bring some opposition, which can help rather than hinder if received rightly, but we must make sure it is for Jesus’ sake and not because we are stubborn or unkind: never yield principle, and do it in love. His final chapter is about guidance: admit you need wisdom, surrender your will, ask, expect an answer and follow step by step, because all you need to know is the next step. The big idea: stand firm in love, and trust God for the next step.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
Memory verse
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12
Talk together
What does Torrey say about opposition received rightly?
It is no longer a hindrance to the Christian life but a help to it.
What warning does Torrey give about persecution?
Make sure it is really for Christ’s sake and not because we are stubborn or unkind; stand for truth, but in love.
What is Torrey’s advice to the worried university student?
All you need to know is the next step; do what God has already shown you and he will show you the next.
Activity
The Next Step
You will need: Paper and pens
- Read Torrey’s story of the worried student and his words, “All you need to know is the next step.”
- Discuss the difference between being opposed for Jesus’ sake and being disliked for being stubborn or unkind.
- Remind the group that bullying or threats, for faith or anything else, should never be carried alone, and that they can tell you or another trusted adult.
- Ask everyone to write down, for themselves, what they already know God wants them to do this week.
- Look back together over the whole book and invite each person to name one habit they want to keep.