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Upper Elementary

Hang On!

  • Lesson 3
  • Fall 2025
  • By: RLD Editorial Team
  • September 21, 2025
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Lesson Focus:

God is in control, so don’t give up.

Bible Basis:

Exodus 5:1—10:29

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

  • Internet access

Step 4:

  • Cardstock (1 sheet per student)
  • Pen/pencils
  • Colored pencils, pens, or markers
  • Optional: Art supplies, stickers, etc.

Summary & Links:

Students will watch a video about a 10-year-old athlete with a prosthetic leg as they explore what it means to not give up.

Kids definition of perseverance

Memory Verse:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.
—James 1:12

Step 1:

Students will watch a video about a 10-year-old athlete with a prosthetic leg as they explore what it means to not give up.

Materials Needed:

  • Internet access
  • Have you ever experienced a big challenge or hard time? (Students may talk about an illness or injury, challenge at school, or hard times for their families such as the loss of a job or divorce of parents.)

Throughout our lives, we experience all kinds of hard situations. The Bible calls these “trials.”  

  • Think of a trial you have experienced. What bad things happened because of this challenge? Can you think of anything good that happened as a result? (Be prepared to share your own experience with examples of good results so that students understand how to assess their own situations.)

When we overcome challenges, we demonstrate perseverance. Perseverance is “the act or power of continuing to do something in spite of difficulties.” When we have perseverance, we push through challenges and hard times to do hard things.

  • Have you ever persevered through a big challenge? What happened? (Students may talk about how things got better, how they learned something, how others supported them, or how they felt God helping them.)

We are going to watch a video about a woman who has experienced some trials in her life but who has persevered. Let’s watch this amazing story together!

Share the following video with your students [1:45]: Barrel racer Amberley Snyder brings inspirational story to Minot

What an amazing story.

  • What challenges and hard times did Amberley face? (Students may talk about how she had an accident, she had to re-learn to walk and ride using accommodations, etc.)
  • What do you think might help her to persevere on days when she is frustrated with the adjustments she needs to make in order to ride? (Students may say her love of riding, being thankful for the good things in her life, her motivation of following her dream of continuing to ride, etc.)

Perseverance can help us to do hard things in our lives. Knowing God is in control can give us courage to not give up when the going gets tough. When God asked Moses to go before Pharaoh, Moses and his people, the Israelites, faced some major difficulties. Let’s look at what the Bible says about trusting God and pushing through hard times.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Step 4:

Materials Needed:

  • Cardstock (1 sheet per student)
  • Pen/pencils
  • Colored pencils, pens, or markers
  • Optional: Art supplies, stickers, etc.

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies to class.

In the video we watched earlier, Amberley talked about her love for riding and her dream of continuing to compete in rodeos after her accident. These passions and dreams probably help her stay positive and persevere, even when she faces challenges. Think about the good things you have in your life—people you love, food and shelter, even activities you enjoy doing. On top of those things, remember that you have a loving God who is always in control!

Our memory verse tells us that we are blessed when we persevere through trials in our lives. Blessed means “happy.” It’s a happiness you feel deep down inside that comes from God. Have a volunteer read the memory verse, James 1:12. When we remember that God is in control, we can persevere through all of life’s challenges. And as we do, God will bless us.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home.) Encourage your students to think about the good things in their lives that God has provided. (Examples: family, friends, school, hobbies, food, shelter, fresh air to breathe, or a favorite location.) Instruct your preteens to write “I am thankful for …” at the top of their poster and make a list. Encourage them be creative and decorate their posters however they wish.

At times it is easy to focus on all the things that go wrong in our lives. When we do this, we may forget that God is in control; we may forget about all the ways He is blessing us—even in the midst of hard times.

Give your students a few moments to think, write, and create. Post your thankful poster on your bedroom wall or in your locker to remind you of all God has done for you. Moses and the Israelites persevered through hard times because they knew God was in control and would rescue them. The Bible says that those who follow Jesus can expect to experience trials in life. The good news is: God is in control, so don’t give up!

If time permits invite (but do not require) volunteers to share a few things they wrote on their thankful lists.

Close in prayer.

Spread the word

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