Leader’s guide · 13 weeks

Leader’s guide: The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (For Teens)

David Brainerd

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Using this guide with a class? See Ochorus for schools or homeschool families

This guide takes your group through “The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (For Teens)” in thirteen weeks, one chapter a week. It tells the story of a young man, orphaned by fourteen and expelled from Yale for one careless sentence, who lived alone in the woods as a missionary to Native American villages, battled long seasons of darkness, and saw a remarkable awakening at Crossweeksung before he died at twenty-nine. His diary has sent people to serve God all over the world. It is written for teens aged about 13 to 18 and suits a youth group, a homeschool or a small group.

Each session runs about 30 to 40 minutes. Open by saying the memory verse together. Read the chapter, either aloud together or at home beforehand if your group prefers. Talk through the chapter’s three questions, which come with answers to help you. Do the activity, which takes about ten 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 and pens, or nothing at all. Brainerd’s story is honest about depression: he called himself “the vilest creature on earth” and once longed for death. Chapter 7 deals with this directly, so read it beforehand, know what help is available locally, and make sure every teen knows they can talk to you or another trusted adult. The book is also clear that Brainerd’s habit of going without food and sleep harmed his health and is not to be copied, so keep that balance when you talk about prayer. Personal reflection stays private, and never ask anyone to share their own struggles in front of the group; if someone seems troubled, follow up quietly afterwards.

Week 1 — A Short Life

David Brainerd lived twenty-nine years, was a missionary for barely four, and died of tuberculosis, yet his diary inspired William Carey, Henry Martyn, Jim Elliot and many others. He was born in Connecticut in 1718 and had lost both parents by fourteen, and Jonathan Edwards said he was naturally prone to melancholy. The chapter introduces an honest story of a young man often sick, sad and doubting, who held on to God and was held. The big idea: a life is measured by how much it loves God and others, not by how big it looks.

“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” — James 4:14 (KJV)

Memory verse

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

James 4:14

Talk together

  1. How long did David Brainerd live, and how long was he a missionary?

    He lived twenty-nine years and spent barely four of them as a missionary.

  2. Name some people who were inspired by Brainerd’s diary.

    William Carey, who took it to India; Henry Martyn, who gave his life to missions in the East; and, two centuries later, Jim Elliot.

  3. What struggle did Jonathan Edwards say Brainerd had by nature?

    A tendency to “melancholy and dejection of Spirit”: long seasons of sadness and discouragement.

Activity

What Counts?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. As a group, list the things our culture uses to measure a successful life: followers, money, grades, fame.
  2. Then list what Brainerd’s life had and lacked by those measures.
  3. Ask: why did a small life end up having such a big impact?
  4. Each person writes privately one sentence about what they want their life to count for.
  5. Close by reading James 4:14 and talking about why a short life is not the same as a small one.

Read chapter 1

Week 2 — Trying Too Hard

As a teenager Brainerd was very religious but miserable, because he was trying to earn God’s approval by feeling sorry, praying and being humble enough. When God did not seem to respond he grew angry, then guilty, and tried harder, until he saw that “the whole was nothing but self-worship.” Seeing himself “lost and helpless” became his turning point. The big idea: we are saved by grace through faith, a gift we cannot earn.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

Memory verse

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9

Talk together

  1. Why was young Brainerd miserable even though he was very religious?

    Because he was trying to earn God’s approval by being sorry enough, praying enough and being good enough, and it never worked.

  2. What did he later say about all his religious effort?

    That “the whole was nothing but self-worship”: it had really been about himself and his own goodness.

  3. Why was seeing himself “lost and helpless” actually a turning point?

    Because once he saw he could not save himself, he stopped trying to earn God’s favour and was ready to receive grace as a free gift.

Activity

Earned or Given?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Draw Brainerd’s cycle on paper: try harder, fail, feel angry, feel guilty, try harder.
  2. As a group, add realistic examples of how teens fall into the same cycle with God.
  3. Read Ephesians 2:8–9 and ask where grace breaks the cycle.
  4. Each person writes privately one way they tend to try to earn God’s love.
  5. Agree on a simple prayer to use this week whenever they notice it: “I can’t earn this. Thank you that it’s a gift.”

Read chapter 2

Week 3 — The Dark Thick Grove

On 12 July 1739, aged twenty-one and feeling flat and empty, Brainerd walked alone in a dark thick grove, and “unspeakable glory” seemed to open to his soul. He insisted it was not a vision or an outward light but a new inward view of how good and beautiful God is. Afterwards his life was centred on God rather than his own efforts, though he still struggled. The big idea: God makes himself known when we stop performing, often at our emptiest moments.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)

Memory verse

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Talk together

  1. What was Brainerd feeling just before his experience in the grove?

    Flat, empty and “very stupid and senseless.” His religious feelings had gone and he thought the Spirit of God had left him.

  2. Did Brainerd see a vision or a bright light?

    No. He said it was not any external brightness but “a new inward apprehension or view” of God, a new understanding of how glorious God is.

  3. What changed in Brainerd after that evening?

    The centre of his faith moved from himself and his own efforts to God; he rejoiced to see “such a God” and wanted God to be honoured.

Activity

Not What I Expected

You will need: Nothing

  1. Read Brainerd’s description of the grove and his words, “I stood still, wondered, and admired!”
  2. Ask the group: when did this happen, at his most religious moment or his emptiest?
  3. Talk about the chapter’s point that many Christians come to trust Jesus gradually, without a dramatic moment, and that this is fine.
  4. Discuss: what helps us stop performing and just be honest with God?
  5. Encourage everyone to spend fifteen minutes outdoors this week without a phone, simply telling God how they feel.

Read chapter 3

Week 4 — One Careless Sentence

At Yale during the Great Awakening, Brainerd told friends privately that a tutor, Mr. Whittelsey, had “no more grace than this chair.” A younger student overheard, the remark reached the head of the college, and when Brainerd refused a public confession he was expelled in 1742 and never got his degree. The chapter points to the deeper problem: he had made himself the judge of another person’s heart. The big idea: the tongue is small but can start a great fire, and only God sees the heart.

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” — James 3:5 (KJV)

Memory verse

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James 3:5

Talk together

  1. What did Brainerd say about the tutor, Mr. Whittelsey?

    “He has no more grace than this chair,” meaning he thought the tutor was not truly a Christian.

  2. How did the comment reach the college authorities?

    A younger student overheard it, told a woman in the town, and she told the head of the college, who questioned Brainerd’s friends.

  3. What was the deeper problem behind Brainerd’s comment?

    He had made himself the judge of another person’s heart, which only God can see.

Activity

How Far Does It Travel?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Trace the path of Brainerd’s comment: friends, a younger student, a woman in town, the head of the college.
  2. In small groups, draw the path a careless comment in a group chat might travel today.
  3. Talk about the deeper temptation the chapter names: judging who is “really” serious about God.
  4. Agree on a simple test for this week: before saying or posting something about someone who isn’t there, ask, “Would I be happy for them to hear this?”
  5. Ask each person to watch privately for one moment when the test stops them.

Read chapter 4

Week 5 — Saying Sorry

In 1743, over a year after his expulsion, Brainerd gave Yale a written confession that named his wrong, called it sin against God, admitted he had injured Mr. Whittelsey, and asked forgiveness without excuses. He was honest about what he did not remember rather than confessing to it. The college still refused his degree, but his conscience was clear and bitterness had no hold. The big idea: whoever confesses and forsakes their sins finds mercy, even when the consequences remain.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

Memory verse

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Talk together

  1. What did Brainerd do in 1743 about his comment at Yale?

    He offered the college a written confession, admitting he had sinned against God and wronged Mr. Whittelsey, and humbly asking for forgiveness.

  2. What makes his apology a good model?

    He named exactly what he did, called it sin, admitted he hurt someone, made no excuses, and asked forgiveness, while being honest about what he did not remember doing.

  3. Did his apology get him his degree back?

    No. Sometimes putting things right doesn’t remove the consequences, but he had done what was his to do and his conscience was clear.

Activity

Anatomy of an Apology

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s confession aloud.
  2. As a group, list each thing he does in it: names the wrong, calls it sin, admits the hurt, makes no excuses, asks forgiveness.
  3. Write two fake apologies on the board, such as “Sorry if you were offended” and “I’m sorry, but you started it,” and talk about what’s missing.
  4. Each person writes privately the name or initials of someone they owe an apology to, and drafts what they will say.
  5. Encourage everyone to give that apology this week, in person if they can.

Read chapter 5

Week 6 — A Heap of Straw

Asked by a Scottish society to work among Native Americans, Brainerd arrived at Kaunaumeek in April 1743 and slept on a heap of straw in a log room without a floor. He worked through a gifted interpreter, John Wauwaumpequunnaunt, and lived cold, hungry, ill and lonely, opposed by some settlers. He said the hardest part was feeling that God hid his face, yet he stayed because he wanted to gain souls for Christ. The big idea: following Jesus can cost us comfort, but we are troubled without being crushed.

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8 (KJV)

Memory verse

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.

2 Corinthians 4:8

Talk together

  1. Where did Brainerd sleep on his first night at Kaunaumeek?

    On “a little heap of straw, in a log room without any floor,” at the home of a poor Scotsman.

  2. Who helped Brainerd communicate with the people of Kaunaumeek?

    His interpreter, John Wauwaumpequunnaunt, a gifted young man from Stockbridge who also became the village schoolmaster.

  3. What did Brainerd say was the hardest part of his difficulties?

    That God seemed to hide his face from him; when God felt far away, everything else felt heavier.

Activity

What Would You Give Up?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read the description of Brainerd’s first night at Kaunaumeek.
  2. As a group, rank these from easiest to hardest to give up for someone else: your phone for an evening, your seat, a free Saturday, your reputation with a group, your plans for the future.
  3. Talk about why the order differs from person to person.
  4. Discuss why Brainerd said feeling far from God was harder than the cold and hunger.
  5. Each person writes privately one thing that costs them some comfort that they will do quietly for someone this week.

Read chapter 6

Week 7 — When the Dark Comes Back

This chapter faces Brainerd’s lifelong struggle with deep sadness, which Edwards said was part of his natural temperament and which today we might call depression; at one point he wrote that he longed for death. Brainerd did two things: he told God honestly, and he kept turning back to prayer, but he mostly carried it alone, which made it worse. The chapter urges readers who feel this way to tell a trusted adult, and anyone with thoughts of self-harm to get help right away. The big idea: dark seasons are not a sign that God has rejected you, and getting help is wisdom, not a lack of faith.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.” — Psalm 42:11 (KJV)

Memory verse

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42:11

Talk together

  1. How did Jonathan Edwards describe Brainerd’s natural temperament?

    He said Brainerd was by nature “prone to melancholy and dejection of Spirit”: inclined to deep sadness and discouragement.

  2. What two things did Brainerd do with his dark feelings?

    He was honest about them before God, writing them down, and he kept turning back to God in prayer even on hard days.

  3. What should you do if you feel the way Brainerd sometimes did?

    Tell someone you trust, and get help from people such as parents, pastors, counsellors or doctors. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, tell an adult or contact emergency help straight away.

Activity

Who Can I Tell?

You will need: Paper and pens, and local helpline details

  1. Say plainly that if anyone has thoughts of harming themselves, they should tell an adult right away or contact a crisis line, and share local details.
  2. As a group, list the safe people and places a teen could turn to when sadness feels heavy: parents, friends, pastors, counsellors, doctors.
  3. Each person writes privately the names of two people they could talk to.
  4. Talk about how to check in on a friend who seems to be struggling: what to ask, and how to listen.
  5. Read Psalm 42:11 together, slowly, as a prayer.

Read chapter 7

Week 8 — Praying in the Woods

Brainerd is famous for prayer, often going into the woods for hours. In 1744, working among the Delaware people at the Forks of the Delaware, he prayed with such earnestness before a large feast that he could hardly walk afterwards, and he woke the next morning still burdened and went straight back to the woods. The chapter adds a caution: he went without food and sleep while sick with tuberculosis, which shortened his life and is not to be copied. The big idea: pray like it matters, because the earnest prayer of a person who walks with God is powerful.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16 (KJV)

Memory verse

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16

Talk together

  1. How did Brainerd describe himself after praying in the woods before the feast?

    So weak and overcome he could barely walk straight; his joints felt loose, sweat ran down his face and body, and he felt as if he would dissolve.

  2. What was the first thing Brainerd did on waking the next morning?

    He cried to God before he even got out of bed, and as soon as he was dressed he went into the woods to pray.

  3. Why should readers not copy all of Brainerd’s habits?

    Because he often went without food and sleep while already ill with tuberculosis, which harmed his health. We should pray earnestly but look after the body God gave us.

Activity

An Impossible List

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s description of praying in the woods before the feast.
  2. Ask the group: what does it look like to pray as if prayer really changes things?
  3. Discuss the chapter’s balance: why is Brainerd’s neglect of food, sleep and health not something to copy?
  4. Each person writes privately one person or situation that feels impossible, and what they are asking God for.
  5. Encourage everyone to pray a few honest minutes for it every day this week and keep the list.

Read chapter 8

Week 9 — Nothing to Show for It

For two years at Kaunaumeek, the Forks of the Delaware and on journeys to the Susquehanna, Brainerd saw almost no fruit, and in June 1745 he wrote that his spirits were depressed. He was ill, lonely and without prospects, yet he kept going because he believed God had sent him and the results belonged to God. Unknown to him, he had just arrived at Crossweeksung, on the edge of the harvest. The big idea: much faithfulness looks like nothing is happening, so do not grow weary of doing good.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Memory verse

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Talk together

  1. What happened during Brainerd’s first two years as a missionary?

    Very little seemed to come of it: a few people listened, but there was no great turning to God, and his journeys to the Susquehanna seemed fruitless.

  2. How did Brainerd describe his feelings in June 1745?

    He said that since he had seen no considerable success, his spirits were depressed.

  3. Why did Brainerd keep going despite seeing so little?

    Because he believed God had sent him and that the results belonged to God, so he kept preaching, travelling and praying.

Activity

Why I Started

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s honest words from June 1745.
  2. As a group, list things we expect instant results from today, and things that only grow slowly.
  3. Each person writes privately one good thing they have been doing that seems to be going nowhere.
  4. Under it, they write why they started it and one reason to keep going.
  5. Pray together for strength not to give up this week.

Read chapter 9

Week 10 — A Mighty Rushing Wind

At Crossweeksung, a small Delaware settlement in New Jersey, a handful of listeners grew to a crowd, and on 8 August 1745 the power of God came on the gathering “like a mighty rushing wind,” with old and young crying out for mercy. Brainerd stressed that hearts were moved by the tender invitations of the gospel, not by words of terror, and over the following months lives changed and many were baptised. He knew he had not made it happen; it was God’s gift after years of prayer. The big idea: we cannot manufacture what God does, but we can keep praying and keep speaking kindly about Jesus.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” — Acts 2:2 (KJV)

Memory verse

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:2

Talk together

  1. What happened at Crossweeksung on 8 August 1745?

    As Brainerd spoke with people after preaching, the power of God seemed to come on the gathering “like a mighty rushing wind,” and almost everyone, old and young, began crying out to God for mercy.

  2. What kind of preaching moved the people at Crossweeksung?

    Not threats or terror but “the tender and melting invitations of the Gospel”: the kindness and invitation of Jesus.

  3. What did two people who found peace say they wanted next?

    They “wanted Christ should wipe their hearts quite clean.”

Activity

Invitation, Not Threat

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s note that hearts were pierced “when there was not a word of terror spoken to them.”
  2. In pairs, write two short ways of telling a friend about Jesus: one built on pressure or fear, one built on invitation and kindness.
  3. Share a few and talk about which one sounds like Jesus.
  4. Discuss the evidence that the change at Crossweeksung was real: what did people actually do differently?
  5. Each person writes privately the name of one friend to pray for daily and show kindness to this week.

Read chapter 10

Week 11 — The Man Nobody Expected

At the Forks of the Delaware was a conjurer, a heavy drinker who had killed a young man, and Brainerd honestly admitted he had wished God would take “that wretch” out of the world. Moved by seeing Brainerd’s interpreter and his wife declare their faith, the man followed to Crossweeksung, came under conviction of sin, found peace in Christ, and said his spirit of conjuring left him. The man Brainerd had written off became a brother in Christ. The big idea: God’s thoughts are not ours, and he often saves the very people we have stopped praying for.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 55:8 (KJV)

Memory verse

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

Talk together

  1. Why had Brainerd given up hope for the conjurer?

    Because he was a heavy drinker who had killed a young man, he kept using his charms despite hearing the gospel for over a year, and he seemed to be keeping others from Christ.

  2. What first moved the conjurer to take the gospel seriously?

    Watching Brainerd’s interpreter and his wife publicly declare their faith in Christ in July 1745.

  3. What does this story teach about people we have written off?

    That God’s thoughts are not ours: he can change people we think will never change, so we should keep praying for them.

Activity

Written Off

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s honest wish about the conjurer, and then his next sentence about God’s more desirable method.
  2. Ask the group: what types of people are easiest to write off as never going to change?
  3. Notice how the man’s change began: by watching two ordinary believers take their stand. Discuss who might be watching us.
  4. Each person writes privately the initials of someone they have quietly given up on.
  5. Encourage them to ask God’s forgiveness for writing that person off, and to pray for them by name each day this week.

Read chapter 11

Week 12 — Christ at the Centre

Looking back on the awakening, Brainerd said he had been helped in preaching “Christ crucified,” making him the centre of every message. He started with who God is and how we have turned away, then kept pointing to Jesus, and found that people were changed by being shown Christ, not by being told off. Dying, he said nothing in the world satisfied but living to God. The big idea: keep Jesus and his cross at the centre of your faith and of how you talk about it.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” — 1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV)

Memory verse

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2

Talk together

  1. What did Brainerd say was at the centre of all his preaching at Crossweeksung?

    “Christ crucified”: Jesus dying on the cross, whom he made “the centre and mark” of everything he said.

  2. What did Brainerd notice actually changed people?

    Not being told off, but being shown Jesus and his love and being invited to come to him.

  3. How can this help when you talk to friends about faith?

    You don’t need clever arguments; you can tell them about Jesus, who he is, what he has done, and how he has changed you.

Activity

What’s at the Centre?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Draw a circle in the middle of a page and several around it.
  2. As a group, fill the outer circles with things Christianity can drift into being about: rules, church activities, arguments, image, being good.
  3. Talk about what happens when one of those takes the centre instead of Christ.
  4. Each person writes privately, in a few sentences of their own words, what Jesus has done for them, as if explaining it to a friend.
  5. Encourage everyone to read Luke 23 this week.

Read chapter 12

Week 13 — My Work Is Done

Dying of tuberculosis, Brainerd went in spring 1747 to Jonathan Edwards’s home in Northampton, where Edwards’s daughter Jerusha cared for him, and his peace grew as his body weakened. He spoke of a happy eternity, longed to see the Bible opened, and said, “My work is done … All my desire is to glorify God.” He died on 9 October 1747, aged twenty-nine; his brother John carried on the work at Crossweeksung, and Edwards published the diary. The big idea: we cannot choose how long our lives will be, but we can choose whom we live for.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Memory verse

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Talk together

  1. Where did Brainerd spend his last months, and who looked after him?

    At Jonathan Edwards’s home in Northampton, Massachusetts, cared for mainly by Edwards’s daughter Jerusha.

  2. What did Brainerd say when someone asked how he was near the end?

    “I am almost in eternity; I long to be there. My work is done… All my desire is to glorify God.”

  3. How did Brainerd’s work continue after his death?

    His brother John took over the work at Crossweeksung, and Edwards published his diary, which has inspired people to serve God ever since.

Activity

One Sentence to Live By

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Brainerd’s words, “There is nothing in the world worth living for, but doing good, and finishing God’s work.”
  2. Look back together over the thirteen weeks and name the moments in Brainerd’s story that stayed with you.
  3. Each person writes one sentence about what they want their life to be about.
  4. Encourage everyone to put it somewhere they will see it every day this week.
  5. Close by reading 2 Timothy 4:7 together.

Read chapter 13