Leader’s guide · 11 weeks

Leader’s guide: The Way to God (For Teens)

Dwight L. Moody

Back to the book

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

This guide leads a group of teenagers, aged about 13 to 18, through “The Way to God (For Teens)” in eleven weeks, one chapter a week. D. L. Moody, a farm boy with about five years of schooling who came to Christ in the back of a Boston shoe store at seventeen, became the best-known evangelist of his day, and this book is his plain answer to the most important question there is: how can a person come to God? It is full of true stories of people he met, and it suits a youth group, a homeschool or a small group, whether your teens are exploring faith for the first time or have grown up in church.

Each session takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Open by saying the memory verse together. Read the chapter, either aloud together or beforehand at home. Talk through the chapter’s three questions, which come with answers to help you lead. Do the activity, which takes about ten minutes. Close by praying the chapter’s prayer, or your own.

To prepare, read the chapter yourself and be ready for real questions: Moody asks teens directly whether they have been born again, received God’s gift and turned around, so some may want to talk privately afterwards, and it is good to have time for that. Never press anyone to make a decision in front of the group, and keep every personal reflection private. Week 2 mentions feeling unloved and thoughts of self-harm, and week 8 includes a man who set fire to a building and was tormented by guilt; handle both calmly, remind teens that a trusted adult can help, and follow your safeguarding policy if anyone tells you something worrying. Week 3 touches on baptism, which churches understand differently; follow the teen edition in keeping the focus on new life from God.

Week 1 — The Boy in the Shoe Store

We meet D. L. Moody, born in 1837 on a poor farm in Northfield, Massachusetts, whose father died when he was four and who had only about five years of schooling. At seventeen, working in his uncle’s Boston shoe store, he gave his heart to Jesus when his Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, visited him at the back of the shop; he went on to start a Sunday school in Chicago’s roughest area, hold meetings that filled huge halls in Britain, and start schools. The big idea: like the first disciples, Moody was not educated, but people could tell he had been with Jesus.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” — Acts 4:13 (KJV)

Memory verse

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13

Talk together

  1. Where was Moody when he became a Christian?

    In his uncle’s shoe store in Boston, where his Sunday school teacher Edward Kimball found him wrapping shoes.

  2. What did Moody start in Chicago?

    A Sunday school in a slum called “Little Hell” that grew to fifteen hundred children.

  3. Why is Acts 4:13 a good verse for Moody’s life?

    Because, like Peter and John, Moody had little education, but people could see he had been with Jesus.

Activity

A Chain of Witnesses

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Tell the group how Edward Kimball visited Moody in the shoe store, and how Moody went on to reach millions.
  2. Ask each person to draw a simple chain of links and write in the links the names of people who helped them hear about Jesus: a parent, a teacher, a friend, a leader.
  3. Invite anyone who wishes to share one name and what that person did. Nobody has to.
  4. Encourage everyone to thank God for the people in their chain this week, and to send one of them a short thank-you message.

Read chapter 1

Week 2 — God Is Love

Moody begins with “God is love,” saying people run from God because they think he hates them. He tells of a man who saw “God is Love” in gas lights over Moody’s pulpit, thought it could not be true for a sinner like him, but came in and left rejoicing; God hates sin, not the sinner, and the cross shows his love even for enemies. God draws us by love rather than making us good by force, because “He does not want machines or slaves.” The big idea: God loves us not because we are good but because he is love.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” — 1 John 4:10 (KJV)

Memory verse

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10

Talk together

  1. Why did Moody think people run away from God?

    Because they think God hates them.

  2. What happened to the man who saw “God is Love” in gas lights?

    He couldn’t forget the words, came into the meeting, and through the Scriptures discovered that God had loved him all along.

  3. Why doesn’t God just make us good, according to Moody?

    Because God wants sons and daughters, not machines or slaves; he draws us by love.

Activity

What People Think God Is Like

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Ask the group to list, honestly, the different ideas people their age have about what God thinks of them: angry, disappointed, distant, uninterested, loving.
  2. Discuss where those ideas might come from, and read Moody’s point that people often think God only loves them when they are good.
  3. Read the story of the man and the gas-light sign, then ask: what changed his mind?
  4. Ask everyone to write “God is love” somewhere they will see it every day this week, and remind the group that anyone who feels unloved or has thoughts of hurting themselves should tell a trusted adult.

Read chapter 2

Week 3 — Born Again

Moody turns to Nicodemus, a respected religious teacher, to whom Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” showing that even good people need new birth. Moody says being born again is not churchgoing, trying hard, turning over a new leaf or regular prayers, and that ceremonies, though good, must not take its place; it is God’s Spirit giving new life from above. He tells of a man with a list of questions who came to Christ first and found them all answered afterwards. The big idea: new life is something God gives, not something we manage ourselves.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3 (KJV)

Memory verse

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

Talk together

  1. Why was Moody glad Jesus spoke about the new birth to Nicodemus?

    Because Nicodemus was a respectable religious man, which shows that everyone needs to be born again, not just obvious sinners.

  2. Name three things Moody says being born again is not.

    Any three of: going to church, trying to do right, turning over a new leaf, saying your prayers, being baptised or taking communion.

  3. What happened to the man with a list of questions?

    He came to Christ first, and afterwards found that his questions seemed to have been answered.

Activity

Not This, But That

You will need: Index cards and a Bible

  1. Write each of Moody’s “not” items on a card: going to church, trying to do right, turning over a new leaf, saying prayers regularly, religious ceremonies.
  2. Show each card and ask the group why someone might think it makes them a Christian, and why Moody says it isn’t the same as new birth.
  3. Read John 3:3–8 and ask: what does Jesus say about who does the work of new birth?
  4. Encourage everyone to read John 3:1–17 on their own this week and ask themselves privately Moody’s question: “Have I been born again?”

Read chapter 3

Week 4 — The Proud Man and the Honest Man

Moody uses Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector to say that everyone looking into Christianity is like one of the two: either they feel no need of a Saviour, or they know they do. He tells of a self-righteous man in Vermont whose wife kept bringing him to meetings for thirty days, until he confessed, “I have been a conceited, self-righteous Pharisee,” and found peace at two in the morning. The big idea: the hardest person to reach is often the one who thinks they are fine, and persistent prayer matters.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” — Luke 18:13 (KJV)

Memory verse

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Luke 18:13

Talk together

  1. What are Moody’s “two classes” of people?

    Those with the spirit of the Pharisee, who don’t feel their need of a Saviour, and those with the spirit of the publican, who know they are sinners.

  2. What did the self-righteous man in Vermont finally say?

    “I am the worst man in the State of Vermont. I want you to pray for me.”

  3. What part did his wife play in his conversion?

    She kept praying for him and bringing him to the meetings, even when it seemed hopeless.

Activity

Two Prayers

You will need: Bibles, paper and pens

  1. Read Luke 18:9–14 aloud.
  2. Ask two volunteers to read the two prayers in the story, then ask the group what each prayer shows about the person praying.
  3. Discuss in pairs: what might a modern ‘Pharisee’ prayer sound like for a teenager, the kind that compares yourself with others? Keep it general.
  4. Ask everyone to write down privately the name of one person they will keep praying for, like the wife in Vermont, and to pray for them each day this week.

Read chapter 4

Week 5 — Your Own Story

Moody warns against waiting for someone else’s experience, joking about a friend converted in a meadow who thought the whole town should go there. Eternal life is a gift, and “How long does it take to accept a gift?”; some come suddenly, like Zacchaeus, whose conversion happened “somewhere between the branch and the ground,” while others come so gradually it is like the dawn. Moody says what matters is not proving when you were converted but knowing that you really have been. The big idea: your story doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s; what matters is trusting Jesus now.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Memory verse

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Talk together

  1. Why does Moody warn against waiting for someone else’s experience?

    Because God doesn’t work in the same way with everyone; we should go to the Bible rather than copy someone else’s story.

  2. How does Moody describe gradual conversions?

    Like the morning light, where it is impossible to tell when the dawn began.

  3. Where does Moody say Zacchaeus’s conversion happened?

    Somewhere between the branch and the ground.

Activity

Sunrise or Lightning?

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Read Moody’s two pictures: some come to God suddenly, like a flash of light, and some gradually, like the morning light.
  2. Ask the group to think of Bible characters for each kind, such as Paul on the Damascus road or Timothy, who learned the Scriptures from childhood.
  3. Discuss why it might be freeing for someone who grew up in a Christian home and can’t remember a single moment of decision.
  4. Ask everyone to write privately, in a few sentences, their own story with God so far, however ordinary or unfinished it feels.

Read chapter 5

Week 6 — Who Is Jesus?

Moody admits that as a boy he thought Jesus was a good man like Moses or Abraham, until he noticed Jesus’ claims, such as “Before Abraham was, I am.” He concluded that Jesus is either a deceiver or God come in the flesh, that worshipping him would break the first commandment if he were not God, and that Jesus was condemned because he answered the high priest, “I am.” The big idea: everyone must answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:15–16 (KJV)

Memory verse

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:15–16

Talk together

  1. What did Moody think of Jesus when he was a boy?

    That he was a good man like Moses, Joseph or Abraham, perhaps the best man who ever lived.

  2. Why did Moody conclude that Jesus could not just be a good man?

    Because Jesus claimed to be divine; if that claim were false, he would be a deceiver or deluded, not simply good.

  3. What answer did Jesus give the high priest when asked if he was the Christ?

    “I am.”

Activity

Only God Could

You will need: Bibles, paper and pens

  1. Split into small groups and give each group one passage: Mark 2:1–12, Mark 4:35–41 or John 8:56–59.
  2. Ask each group to find what Jesus says or does there that only God could say or do, and how the people around him reacted.
  3. Bring the groups together to report back, then talk through Moody’s reasoning that Jesus can’t simply be ‘a good man’.
  4. Invite everyone to read one chapter of Mark’s Gospel a day this month and answer privately, at the end, Jesus’ question for themselves.

Read chapter 6

Week 7 — Right About Face

Moody says repentance is often misunderstood: it is not fear, like sailors who pray in a storm and swear again afterwards; not just feeling bad, like prisoners sorry only to be caught; not punishing yourself; and not giving up one sin while the whole tree stands. His definition is “right about face!”, turning round and walking towards God, like the son who said “I will not” but then went. It doesn’t take long to turn, and he urges readers not to wait. The big idea: repentance means turning round and actually going God’s way.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” — Acts 3:19 (KJV)

Memory verse

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.

Acts 3:19

Talk together

  1. Name three things Moody says repentance is not.

    Any three of: fear, just feeling bad, punishing yourself, conviction alone, praying alone, or giving up just one sin.

  2. What is Moody’s definition of repentance?

    “Right about face”: turning round from going away from God to going towards him.

  3. What does the story of the two sons teach about repentance?

    Repentance is not just admitting you were wrong but actually changing direction and doing what is right.

Activity

Right About Face

You will need: Nothing

  1. Have everyone stand and face one wall. Call out “Right about face!” and have them turn to face the opposite wall.
  2. Ask: what changed when you turned? Point out that you are now walking towards something new, not just feeling sorry about the old direction.
  3. Read out Moody’s four things repentance is not, and ask the group to give an everyday example of each, without anyone sharing their own sins.
  4. Ask everyone to think privately of one area where they need to turn round, and one concrete step they could take this week.

Read chapter 7

Week 8 — Making It Right

Moody says real repentance often shows itself in restitution, putting right what we can, as Zacchaeus promised to repay fourfold. He tells of a man who, at twenty, set fire to his family’s insured building to help his poor mother, was haunted for twelve years, and found peace when he chose to repay the insurance company with interest; forgiveness is free, but a turned heart wants to put things right. He ends with a Colorado prisoner whose cell window was full of flowers for his mother, and who was pardoned. The big idea: a heart that has turned to God wants to make things right where it can, wisely and safely.

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” — Luke 19:8 (KJV)

Memory verse

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

Luke 19:8

Talk together

  1. What is restitution?

    Making things right with people we have wronged, for example by paying back what we took.

  2. What had the man in Moody’s story done, and how did he find peace?

    He had set fire to an insured building for the money; he found peace when he learned there was mercy and resolved to pay the money back with interest.

  3. What should you do before making things right in a serious situation?

    Talk it through with a trusted adult, and never put yourself in danger or go back to someone who has hurt you.

Activity

What Would Making It Right Look Like?

You will need: Slips of paper with short scenarios

  1. Prepare a few made-up scenarios, such as borrowing a friend’s hoodie and losing it, copying someone’s homework, or spreading a rumour that wasn’t true.
  2. In small groups, ask teens to decide what making it right could look like in each case: an apology, returning or replacing something, or owning up.
  3. Discuss the chapter’s wise boundaries: talk serious matters through with a trusted adult first, and never put yourself in danger or go back to someone who has hurt you.
  4. Ask everyone to think privately of one thing they could put right this week, and to pray about it.

Read chapter 8

Week 9 — You Can Know

Moody says it is “the privilege of every child of God” to know they belong to him, pointing out that John wrote his first letter so that believers would know, and that doubts keep us from helping others, as a drowning man cannot help another. He quotes Charles Spurgeon on the stork and the wild goat, which never doubt the homes God gave them, and compares the Bible to the guiding lights along the Mississippi. The big idea: assurance rests on what Jesus has done and what God has said, not on our changing feelings.

“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

  1. Why did John write his first letter, according to 1 John 5:13?

    So that those who believe in the name of the Son of God may know that they have eternal life.

  2. Why does Moody say doubts stop us helping others?

    Because, like a drowning man who can’t save anyone else, we need to be on solid ground ourselves before we can help others.

  3. What does assurance rest on?

    Not on changing feelings, but on what Jesus has done and what God has promised.

Activity

Things I Can Know

You will need: Bibles, paper and pens

  1. Split into pairs and give each pair one chapter of 1 John.
  2. Ask each pair to find every sentence with the word “know” in it and write down what the verse says we can know.
  3. Combine all the findings into one list on a large sheet or board titled “Things God says I can know.”
  4. Discuss which of these is most reassuring on a day full of doubts, and remind the group that talking with a pastor or youth leader can help when doubts persist.

Read chapter 9

Week 10 — Knowing Jesus Better

Moody says “Christ is all to us that we make Him to be,” and that some Christians have “a very small Saviour.” Jesus came to save us “not in our sins, but from our sins,” and like God leading Israel out of Egypt, he does more than rescue: he delivers us and gives victory over our evil tempers and habits. Moody describes three ways of knowing a person, by hearsay, slightly and well, and says the answer to besetting sin is to know Christ more intimately. The big idea: the more we know Jesus, the more we will love and serve him.

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” — Colossians 3:11 (KJV)

Memory verse

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:11

Talk together

  1. What does Moody mean by a “very small Saviour”?

    A Saviour we don’t allow to do great things in our lives, because we won’t receive him fully.

  2. What are Moody’s three ways of knowing a person?

    By hearsay, by a slight acquaintance, and by knowing them well over many years.

  3. What is Moody’s advice for someone stuck in a sin?

    To go on to know Christ more intimately.

Activity

Three Ways of Knowing

You will need: Paper and pens

  1. Ask everyone to think of three people: a famous person they know only by hearsay, someone they met once, and a close friend. They need not share names.
  2. Discuss what moved anyone from the second group into the third: time, conversation, shared experiences.
  3. Read Moody’s three levels of knowing Jesus and ask each person to decide privately where they are.
  4. Ask everyone to choose one way to get to know Jesus better this week, such as a Gospel passage each day or a conversation with an older Christian, and to write it down for themselves.

Read chapter 10

Week 11 — Coming Back

Moody’s last chapter is for people who have drifted from God, showing from Jeremiah that God never left them; they left him, trading “the fountain of living waters” for “broken cisterns.” He asks young women whether they would search harder for a lost earring than for God, and says every backslider he saw return admitted that leaving God had been bitter. Moody died in 1899, saying beforehand that at that moment he would be “more alive than I am now.” The big idea: whether coming for the first time or coming back, the door to God is open through Jesus.

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” — Hosea 14:4 (KJV)

Memory verse

I will heal their apostasy; I love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

Hosea 14:4

Talk together

  1. According to Moody, who leaves whom when someone backslides?

    We leave God; God never leaves us, and he has not changed.

  2. What are the “broken cisterns” in Jeremiah?

    Leaky water tanks that hold no water, a picture of the things people turn to instead of God, which cannot satisfy.

  3. What did Moody say people should believe when they read that he had died?

    Not a word of it; at that moment he would be more alive than ever.

Activity

The Lost Earring

You will need: Paper, pens and a Bible

  1. Tell Moody’s earring story, then ask the group: what would you search hardest for if you lost it? Phone, keys, a game save, a sports kit?
  2. Read Jeremiah 2:13 aloud and discuss what ‘broken cisterns’ might be for teenagers today.
  3. Read Luke 15:20 and ask what the father’s welcome tells us about how God receives people who come back.
  4. Ask everyone to write privately either a prayer coming back to God, or the name of one friend who has drifted that they will pray for this week.

Read chapter 11