Getting Real About the Fears of Starting a Teen Bible Study
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
5 Questions Every New Mentor Asks Before Starting a Teen Bible Study
Category: Getting Started
Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
Author: Kelly Kirstein
Have you ever felt God nudging you to start a teen Bible study... only to talk yourself out of it?
Maybe your thoughts sound something like this:
What if they ask a question I can't answer?
What if I don't know enough about the Bible?
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if I fail?
What if the girls don't like me?
What if someone asks about something that makes me uncomfortable?
If you've ever had those thoughts, you're not alone.
Starting a teen Bible study can be equal parts exciting and terrifying. Everything feels new. You're stepping into a leadership role, opening God's Word with teenagers, and wondering if you're the right person for the job.
After more than sixteen years of mentoring teen girls, I can tell you something that may surprise you.
The girls aren't expecting you to have all the answers. They simply want someone who genuinely cares about them.
They want someone who will listen, encourage them, and point them toward Jesus.
If God has placed teen girls on your heart, don't let fear convince you that you have to know everything before you begin. The truth is, you'll grow right alongside the girls you mentor.
Let's talk through some of the biggest fears that keep women from saying yes.
1. What if they ask a question I can't answer?
This is probably the most common fear new mentors have.
The good news is that you don't have to pretend you know In fact, one of the greatest things you can model is humility.
If a girl asks a question you can't answer, simply say,
"That's a great question. I don't know the answer today, but I'd love to spend some time praying about it and studying it this week."
Write the question down. Search the Scriptures.
If needed, ask a trusted pastor, youth leader, or another mature believer for wisdom.
Then come back the following week and continue the conversation.
Your willingness to keep learning shows the girls that following Jesus is a lifelong journey.
Pro Mentor Tip
Write difficult questions down. Tell the girls you'll spend the week praying, studying Scripture, and talking with trusted mentors if needed. Then come back ready to continue the conversation. Modeling humility teaches as much as having the answer.
2. What if I don't know enough about the Bible?
Remember, your job isn't to know everything. Your role is to help girls become curious about God's Word and learn how to seek Him for themselves.
Instead of feeling like you have to lecture, become a guide.
Read Scripture together.
Ask questions.
Invite the girls to study during the week and come back ready to share what they discovered.
Imagine how exciting it would be for your group to return each week eager to talk about what God showed them personally.
Helping girls develop the habit of seeking God for themselves is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
3. What if I say the wrong thing?
None of us communicates perfectly. At some point, you'll probably say something you wish you had explained differently.
If that happens, don't become defensive. Be humble.
If you unintentionally hurt someone's feelings, have an honest conversation. Let her know your heart was never to hurt her.
At the same time, don't confuse hurting someone's feelings with faithfully teaching Scripture. Sometimes God's Word challenges us because we've all made choices that fall short of His design.
Don't weaken the truth of Scripture simply because it's difficult.
Instead, help girls understand God's heart. His commands aren't meant to shame us. They're meant to lead us toward the life He created us to live. And through His grace, He always offers hope and a way forward.
Pro Mentor Tip
Speak truth with grace. If you misspeak, be humble enough to own it. If God's Word challenges someone, lovingly help them understand God's heart. They have the choice whether they want to do what God says or not.
4. What if the girls don't like me?
This fear is more common than most women admit. Everyone wants to be liked.
Building relationships with teenagers takes time. Some girls will warm up to you quickly.
Others may be quiet, guarded, or even seem uninterested.
Before every Bible study, ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with love for every girl who walks through the door. Ask Him to help you see each girl the way He sees her.
That prayer changes everything.
You may even discover there are girls you naturally struggle to connect with at first. That's okay. Teenagers are still learning who they are.
Keep showing up.
Keep welcoming them.
Keep caring.
If a girl doesn't seem to like you, don't spend your energy trying to win her approval.
Simply continue loving her well. Consistency builds trust over time.
Prayer
"Holy Spirit, help me love every girl the way You love her. Give me Your heart and help me see her through Your eyes."
5. What if someone asks about sex or another uncomfortable topic?
If you mentor teen girls long enough, difficult questions will come.
Teen girls are growing up in a culture that raises complicated questions about relationships, sexuality, identity, and many other topics.
When a girl asks an honest question, don't shame her for asking. Instead, teach her how to ask questions respectfully.
Some conversations are appropriate for the whole group. Others are much better handled privately after Bible study.
One-on-one conversations allow you to care well for the girl asking the question while also protecting the innocence of younger girls who may not be ready for that discussion.
Pray for wisdom in those moments.
God will help you know how to respond with both truth and love.
Mentor Wisdom
Not every conversation belongs in a group setting. Some questions are best handled privately to care well for the girl asking while protecting the innocence of the rest of the group.
Key Takeaways
Before your first Bible study, remember these five truths.
✔ You don't have to know every answer.
✔ Curiosity helps girls grow in faith.
✔ Speak God's truth with grace.
✔ Pray for God's heart toward every girl.
✔ Trust God to work through your willingness.
Reflection Questions
Take a few minutes to think through these questions.
Which fear has been the biggest obstacle for you?
What is one practical step you could take this week to move closer to leading a Bible study?
How can you begin praying for the girls God may bring into your life?
Write your thoughts in a journal and ask God to guide your next step.
New to Mentoring?
Use our Mentor Quick Guide for practical tips to help you confidently begin investing in the lives of teen girls.
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Just a Girl Who Loves Jesus was written to help mentors and teen girls grow together through Scripture, meaningful discussion, and practical application.
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