Lip Service: Free Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law for 2024

Start with a game of Pictionary. This game is similar to charades, but instead of acting out clues, players draw them. For full instructions, check out Pictionary Game for Youth Ministry. You can also use Sculptionary or Talent Comm as alternatives.

Here are some ideas for phrases to use in the game:

• Lip service
• Letter of the Law
• Heart of God
• Wash dishes
• Ten Commandments
• Wash hands
• Eating

Alternatively, you can use random, silly words and phrases.

In the Old Testament, God gave the Isrealites many laws. These laws were intended to bring the people closer to God and to keep them safe. But the Pharisees were more focused on the law than their relationship with God.

Let’s read the gospel of the day:

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Jesus speaks about the law) – the Gospel Reading for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.

– For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. –

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees accuse Jesus and his disciples of not following the law closely enough. They point out that the disciples eat without washing their hands, which was a strict tradition among the Jews. But Jesus doesn’t just defend his disciples—he turns the conversation around and tells the Pharisees that they are the ones missing the point.

The Pharisees were very strict about following the law, down to the smallest details. They made sure to obey every rule as they understood it. But here’s the problem: they expected everyone else to do the same, and they looked down on those who didn’t. They acted like they were better than others because they followed the rules so perfectly. In doing so, they used the law to feel superior, rather than to grow closer to God.

Tradition itself isn’t bad. It helps keep us connected to our community and our past. Tradition reminds us of who we are and where we come from. But it can become a problem when we get so attached to it that we forget about what really matters—our relationship with God. If we let tradition become more important than loving God and others, we’re missing the point.

Jesus calls the Pharisees out for only giving the law lip service. They said they loved the law, but their actions and attitudes showed something different. They were more concerned with looking good on the outside than with what was going on inside their hearts. Jesus reminds them that all these rules and traditions are just external things. What matters most is what’s happening in our hearts.

So let’s talk about loving God with our hearts. It’s easy to fall into the habit of going through the motions without really thinking about what we’re doing. We might go to Mass every Sunday, but are we really paying attention? Are we just sitting there, or are we actively participating and trying to connect with God? It’s easy to let our minds wander or think about what we’re going to do after Mass instead of focusing on the prayers, the readings, and the Eucharist.

The same thing can happen when we pray. Take the Rosary, for example. It’s a beautiful and powerful prayer, but if we’re just reciting the words without thinking about them, we’re missing out. Are we reflecting on the mysteries of Jesus’ life, or are we just trying to get through the prayers as quickly as possible? It’s important to remember that the point of these prayers is to bring us closer to God, not just to check them off our to-do list.

There are other things we might do in our faith that become routine. We might follow certain Church teachings or practices simply because that’s what we’ve always done, without really thinking about why we do them or how they’re supposed to help us grow in our relationship with God. It’s good to take a step back and reflect on these things. Are we doing them as lip service, out of habit, or are we really trying to live out our faith and grow closer to God?

Another important thing to remember is not to look down on others who aren’t practicing their faith the same way we are. It’s easy to fall into the same trap as the Pharisees, thinking we’re better than others because we follow the rules more closely or because we do certain things that they don’t. But that’s not what Jesus wants from us. He wants us to love others and encourage them as they try to grow in their faith. Walking the path of discipleship is difficult for all of us, and we’re all at different places on that journey.

Instead of judging others, we can be examples of God’s generous and loving heart. When we show kindness, patience, and understanding, we’re helping others see what it really means to follow Jesus. That’s usually much more helpful than pointing out where they’re going wrong or making them feel bad for not being as “perfect” as we think we are.

In the end, what Jesus wants from us is a heart that’s turned toward God, not just lips that say the right words. He wants us to live out the spirit of the law—to love God and others with everything we have. When we do that, we’re not just going through the motions; we’re truly living our faith.

Sharing in small groups gives youth a chance to explore our faith together. It’s a time to be open and honest about thoughts and experiences. For small groups for the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law, focus on how we can live out our faith in a way that goes beyond just following rules. We want to avoid giving lip service and instead aim to follow the spirit of the law, which means loving God and others with all our hearts.

Here are some questions to guide the discussion:

• Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you might be giving lip service? How can you deepen your relationship with God and truly live out the spirit of the law?
• What does “lip service” mean to you? How do you see this happening in your own life or in the world around you?
• Why do you think Jesus criticized the Pharisees for focusing too much on the letter of the law? What can we learn from his response about how to live out the spirit of the law?
• Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions in your faith? What can you do to make your prayers and religious practices more meaningful?
• How can we show love for God and others in a way that goes beyond just following rules? Can you think of any examples where you’ve seen someone live out the spirit of the law?
• In what ways might we be tempted to judge others, like the Pharisees did? How can we shift our focus from judgment to encouragement and support?
• What are some traditions or practices in our faith that might become routine? How can we approach these with fresh intention and heart?
• How does focusing on the spirit of the law help us grow closer to God? What changes might you make in your own life to better live out this teaching?
• What does it mean to love God with all your heart? How can we put this into practice in our daily lives?
• How can we encourage others to live out the spirit of the law without coming across as judgmental? What are some practical ways to show God’s love to those around us?

This week, challenge yourself to go deeper in your observance of the faith. Start by choosing one area where you can focus more intentionally on your relationship with God. For example, when you attend Mass, try to pay better attention to the readings, prayers, and the homily. Instead of letting your mind wander, ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay present and open to what God wants to say to you during the liturgy.

If prayer is an area where you struggle, consider trying something new to help you connect more deeply with God. If your current method of prayer feels routine or dry, explore a different approach, like Lectio Divina, where you meditate on Scripture and listen for God’s voice in the passages. You could also learn a new prayer, such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet or a novena, and focus on the meaning of the words as you pray. This can help refresh your prayer life and bring new insights into your faith.

Remember, deepening your relationship with God is a journey, and it’s okay if you don’t get it perfect right away. If you find yourself getting distracted or struggling to stay focused, don’t be too hard on yourself. The important thing is to keep trying. Every effort you make to go beyond lip service and live out the spirit of the law brings you closer to God. When you fall short, simply ask for God’s grace, and try again the next day. Perseverance is key in growing your faith.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for guiding us today as we explored the importance of living out the spirit of the law. Help us to go beyond just saying the right words and instead fill our hearts with true love for You and for others. Give us the grace to follow Your commandments with sincerity and devotion. When we fall short, remind us of Your mercy and give us the strength to try again. May we always seek to honor You in our thoughts, words, and actions. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Themes for the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law

• Heart over Ritual: God desires our hearts, not just our actions. Following rules without love misses the point. Jesus teaches that our hearts must guide our actions.
• True Worship: Worship is more than words or rituals. It is about loving God and others. Jesus warns against empty worship that lacks real love.
• Inner Purity: What comes from the heart matters most. Evil thoughts and actions defile us, not outside things. Jesus wants us to focus on inner goodness.
• Love and Obedience: Obeying God’s commandments should come from love, not just duty. Loving God and neighbor is the greatest commandment. Jesus shows us that love should guide all actions.
• Judgment and Mercy: Jesus calls us to be merciful, not judgmental. The Pharisees judged others harshly, but Jesus asks us to lead with compassion. We should help others grow in faith, not criticize them.
• Tradition and Spirit: Traditions are valuable but should not replace love for God. The Pharisees were too focused on tradition at the expense of true devotion. Jesus reminds us to keep the spirit of the law.
• Hypocrisy Warning: Saying one thing and doing another is hypocritical. Jesus calls out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We are encouraged to live what we profess.
• Focus on God: Our actions should bring us closer to God. If we are just going through the motions, we are missing the point. Jesus teaches that a real relationship with God is essential.
• Encouragement over Criticism: Instead of judging others, we should encourage them. Faith is a journey for everyone. Jesus shows us how to guide others with love and support.
• Living Faith Daily: Faith is not just for Sunday or special occasions. It is something we live every day. Jesus wants us to integrate our faith into all aspects of life.

Background Material for the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law

The Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law fits well into Catholic teaching. It helps us understand the difference between merely following rules and truly living a life of faith. Jesus teaches us that the law is important, but it is not the only thing. What truly matters is our relationship with God and our love for others.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, who were focused on the letter of the law rather than its spirit. They criticized Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating, a ritual required by Jewish tradition. Jesus responded by quoting the prophet Isaiah, saying, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts” (Mark 7:6-7).

Here, Jesus points out the danger of giving lip service to God while neglecting the true purpose of the law: to love God and others from the heart.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches us about the importance of the heart in following God’s commandments. It says, “The Law of the Gospel requires us to make the decisive choice between ‘the two ways’ and to put into practice the words of the Lord. It is summed up in the Golden Rule, ‘Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; this is the law and the prophets’” (CCC 1970).

This reminds us that the law is not just a set of rules to follow. It is about choosing the path of love and treating others with the same respect and care that we desire.

Jesus consistently teaches that the spirit of the law is about love and mercy. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus sums up the entire law with two commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” This shows us that true obedience to the law comes from a place of love, not just external actions.

Pope Francis also emphasizes the importance of living out the spirit of the law. He often speaks about the danger of becoming too focused on rules and regulations, while forgetting about love and mercy.

In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, he writes, “The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. […] The Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others, with their physical presence which challenges us, with their pain and their pleas, with their joy which infects us in our close and continuous interaction” (Evangelii Gaudium, 46). This means that following the law should lead us to love and serve others, not just follow rules for the sake of it.

In conclusion, the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law helps us understand that Catholic teaching is not about empty rituals or strict adherence to rules. It is about living out the Gospel through love, mercy, and a sincere relationship with God. The spirit of the law calls us to go beyond mere lip service and to allow God’s love to guide all our actions and decisions.

Music Suggestions for the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law

• My Heart Belongs to You
• We Belong to You
• Come to Jesus

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

For more free lesson plans and reflections like the Lip Service Lesson Plan on the Spirit of the Law, visit our website. These resources are perfect for teachers, youth ministers, and catechists looking to guide young people in their faith. You’ll find a variety of lessons to help deepen understanding and encourage living out the Gospel. Check out our collection and find more tools to support your ministry here.