Get Behind Me Satan Lesson Plan

Start by playing “Would You Rather.” This icebreaker asks teens to make decisions by choosing between two options. Some choices are serious, while others are just for fun. You can download a set of “Would You Rather” question cards to use.

After the game, ask these questions:

• Did some of the questions offer two undesirable options?
• How do you decide when the choice is difficult?
• Were some of the options both good?

Read the scripture passage:

Mark 8:27-35 (Jesus foretells his suffering ) – the Gospel Reading for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly.

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Mark 8:27-35

Let’s start with the conversation between Jesus and His apostles. They were discussing how people viewed Jesus. The apostles shared different opinions, saying that some people thought He was a prophet like Elijah or John the Baptist. But then Simon Peter boldly declared that Jesus was more than that—He was the Messiah, the Son of God. This was a big moment because Peter recognized Jesus for who He truly was.

But then, Jesus started talking about something that didn’t make sense to the apostles—suffering. Jesus explained that He would have to suffer, be rejected, and even die. This was confusing to them. How could someone as great as Jesus, who is God, have to go through something so painful? They couldn’t understand why suffering had to be part of His mission. After all, if Jesus was God, couldn’t He avoid all that pain? The apostles believed that because Jesus was so powerful, He should be able to escape suffering altogether.

Peter, who had just declared Jesus as the Messiah, couldn’t accept this idea of suffering. He pulled Jesus aside and told Him that such things should never happen to Him. But Jesus responded in a way that surprised everyone. He said, “Get behind me, Satan!” This was a strong rebuke, and it shows us something important. Jesus wasn’t just rejecting Peter’s words; He was rejecting the temptation to avoid suffering. He knew that His mission wasn’t about avoiding pain but about embracing it for the sake of others.

This is where it gets real for us. We all want to avoid pain and discomfort. It’s natural to want to stay safe and comfortable, to avoid anything that might cause us distress. But Jesus’ words remind us that avoiding pain isn’t our purpose in life. While we shouldn’t seek out suffering just for the sake of it, there are times when following God’s will means accepting that pain might come our way.

Jesus knew that the road to Jerusalem was also the road to the cross. He knew it would be filled with suffering, but He also knew it was the path to our redemption. Jesus had a choice. He could have walked away, avoided the pain, and chosen an easier path. But when faced with the temptation to avoid suffering, He chose to stay the course. He did this for us, knowing that His suffering would bring us salvation.

Now, let’s think about our own lives. We all have times when we want to avoid pain, whether it’s physical discomfort, emotional stress, or making a tough decision. But sometimes, doing the right thing means being open to suffering. It could be standing up for what is right, even when it’s unpopular or difficult. It might mean giving up something we enjoy for the good of someone else, like helping a friend even when it’s inconvenient. Sometimes, it even means walking away from something harmful, like a toxic friendship, even though it hurts to let go.

Can you think of any situations where you’ve had to choose something unpleasant because it was the right thing to do? Maybe it was a time when you spoke up about something wrong, even though it was hard. Or perhaps you’ve had to make a sacrifice for someone you care about. These moments aren’t easy, but they help us grow and become more like Christ.

If you’re struggling with a difficult decision, it’s important to have people you can turn to for guidance. Who do you talk to when you’re facing something tough? It could be a parent, a friend, a teacher, or even a priest. Don’t be afraid to seek advice and pray about your decisions. God is always ready to help you make the right choice, even when it’s hard.

We’ve all made mistakes before, choosing the easy way out and regretting it later. The good news is that it’s never too late to turn back to God. If you’ve taken the easy way and it led to regret, you can recover by asking God for forgiveness and seeking to make things right. Learn from those experiences and try to choose the path that aligns with God’s will next time.

One way to help with making tough choices is through the process of discernment. This involves taking time to pray and think carefully about your options. The Ignatian Examen is a daily prayer practice that can help with this. It involves reflecting on your day, noticing where God was present, and considering how He might be guiding you. Over time, this practice can help you become more aware of how God is leading you in your everyday decisions.

(A printable handout for the Examen can be found here.)

Remember, when faced with a difficult choice, the easy path isn’t always the right one. Sometimes, following Jesus means being open to suffering, just like He was. And in those moments, we can trust that God is with us, guiding us, and giving us the strength to carry our crosses, just as Jesus carried His for us.

Divide the youth into small groups. This gives them a chance to share thoughts and experiences in a more personal way. It’s a time to listen to each other, learn from each other, and grow together in faith. Remind them that everyone’s perspective is valuable, and to be open and respectful as they share.

• How do you usually respond when faced with a difficult choice that might involve some pain or discomfort?
• Have you ever experienced a situation where you were tempted to avoid doing something hard, but you knew it was the right thing to do? How did you handle it?
• Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan!” when Peter tried to protect Him from suffering. What does this teach us about the importance of accepting challenges in our own lives?
• Think of a time when you made a sacrifice for someone else. How did that experience affect you, and what did you learn from it?
• How can we support each other in our small group when we are facing difficult decisions or challenges?
• When have you chosen the easier path and regretted it later? How did you feel afterward, and what would you do differently now?
• What role does prayer play in helping you make tough decisions? Have you tried using the Ignatian Examen or another form of prayer to help with discernment?
• How does the idea of carrying your cross apply to your life right now? What are some “crosses” you might be called to carry?
• What does it mean to you to trust in God’s plan, even when it involves suffering or sacrifice?
• How can you remind yourself to stay focused on what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult?

This week, identify one decision you are struggling with. It could be something big or small. Maybe it’s about a difficult relationship, or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to consider giving up an activity that’s adding stress to your life.

Whatever is causing you anxiety is a good place to start. Spend some time each day in prayer, bringing this issue before God. Ask Him to guide you and to show you the right path, even if it’s not the easiest one.

As you pray, be open-minded and listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling you. If you sense that God is leading you in a direction that makes you uncomfortable or that you don’t want to go, remember that His will for this situation might not be the easy way out.

Like Jesus’ response to Peter with “Get behind me, Satan!” sometimes we are tempted to avoid what’s difficult, but that’s not always God’s plan. Pray for the courage to do what is right, even if it’s hard. Trust that God will give you the strength you need to follow His will.

Leader: When I am tempted to take the easy path instead of doing what is right…
All: Get behind me Satan.

Leader: When I feel afraid to face challenges and want to avoid them…
All: Get behind me Satan.

Leader: When I struggle to trust in God’s plan, especially when it involves suffering…
All: Get behind me Satan.

Leader: When I am tempted to seek comfort over following Jesus’ example…
All: Get behind me Satan.

Leader: Lord, give us the courage to follow You, even when it’s hard. Help us to carry our crosses with faith, knowing that You are always with us.
All: Amen.

Themes for the Get Behind Me Satan Lesson Plan

• Embracing Suffering: Jesus teaches that suffering is sometimes necessary. We grow in faith by accepting our crosses. Avoiding pain can lead us away from God’s plan.
• Resisting Temptation: Jesus warns Peter to avoid thinking that rejects God’s will. We must resist the temptation to avoid all hardships. Following Jesus means choosing what’s right, even when it’s hard.
• Trusting in God’s Plan: Jesus’ path to the cross shows that God’s plan often includes challenges. We trust that God works through our struggles. True discipleship involves surrendering to God’s will.
• True Discipleship: Being a disciple means following Jesus wherever He leads, even into difficulty. We are called to be faithful, even when it’s uncomfortable. This is the heart of our commitment to Christ.
• Sacrifice for Others: Jesus’ suffering was for our salvation. We are called to make sacrifices for the good of others. This reflects God’s love in our lives.
• Spiritual Growth: Challenges and pain can lead to deeper spiritual growth. We become stronger in faith when we face difficulties with trust in God. Avoiding suffering can stunt our spiritual development.
• Facing Fears: The fear of suffering can hold us back. Jesus teaches us to face our fears with courage. Following Him means confronting what scares us for the sake of the Gospel.
• Carrying Our Cross: Jesus invites us to take up our own crosses daily. This means accepting life’s challenges as part of our journey with Him. It’s a way to grow closer to Christ.
• Rejecting Worldly Comforts: The world tells us to seek comfort and avoid pain. Jesus’ words to Peter remind us that this mindset can lead us away from God. We are called to live differently.
• Living for Eternity: Jesus teaches that real life is found in following Him, even through suffering. Our focus should be on eternal life, not just avoiding pain in this life. This lesson helps us keep our eyes on Heaven.

Background Material for the Get Behind Me Satan Lesson Plan

The “Get Behind Me Satan” lesson plan on avoiding pain is rooted in Catholic teaching about suffering, discipleship, and the path to eternal life. When Jesus rebukes Peter with the words “Get behind me Satan,” He addresses a common human tendency to avoid suffering at all costs. Peter had just declared Jesus as the Messiah, but he didn’t understand that Jesus’ mission included suffering and death. Jesus’ sharp response reminds us that avoiding pain is not always in line with God’s plan.

In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus begins to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly, be killed, and be raised on the third day. Peter, not understanding, says, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus responds, “Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” This moment is crucial because it reveals the difference between human and divine thinking. Humans naturally want to avoid suffering, but Jesus shows that it is sometimes necessary for a greater good.

Catholic teaching holds that suffering, when united with Christ, has redemptive value. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “By his passion and death on the cross, Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion” (CCC 1505). This means that suffering, rather than being something to avoid at all costs, can be a way to grow closer to Christ and participate in His work of salvation.

Jesus’ rebuke of Peter, “Get behind me Satan,” can be seen as a call to all of us to reject the temptation to prioritize comfort and ease over God’s will. Jesus knew that His path included the cross, and He accepted it out of love for us. In our own lives, we are called to carry our crosses and follow Him, even when it involves pain or hardship. This is central to what it means to be a disciple.

The idea of taking up our cross is further emphasized in Matthew 16:24, where Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is a clear call to embrace the pain and sacrifices that come with following Jesus. It is not about seeking out suffering, but about accepting it when it comes as part of our commitment to Christ.

Catholic saints and theologians have long taught about the value of suffering. St. Paul writes in Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church.” This passage reflects the belief that our sufferings, when united with Christ, contribute to the salvation of the world.

In summary, the “Get Behind Me Satan” lesson plan on avoiding pain fits into Catholic teaching by emphasizing the importance of embracing suffering when it is part of God’s plan. It challenges the temptation to avoid all discomfort and encourages young people to see their crosses as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper union with Christ. This understanding helps them to follow Jesus more closely and to live out their faith with courage and trust in God’s plan.

Music Suggestions for the Get Behind Me Satan Lesson Plan

• Son of Suffering By Matt Redman
• I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Jadon Lavik
• Lead Me to the Cross by by Hillsong United and Brooke Ligertwood

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