Knight Me! - A Lesson Plan on Christ the King

About Knight Me!

This Knight Me lesson plan will help youth understand that Christ must be king of our hearts and lives.

Opening Game for Knight Me!

Start by playing Kingdoms. In this game, players try to get the most number of vassals. For complete instructions see Kingdoms Youth Ministry Game.

Follow up with a couple of questions:

As vassals, did you want to help your king?
Was it easier for your king to make a good guess as the kingdom grew and there were more vassals to help?

In this game, even though there were only a few kings, all of the members of the kingdom could help it grow. In kingdoms of old, knights would pledge their service to a particular king. These knights were very strong and brave, but they knew that coming together under a single king would grant a security and peace they couldn't get on their own.

Scripture Reading for Christ the King

Read the Gospel:

John 18:33B-37 (The kingship of Jesus) - the Gospel Reading for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Year B

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?"

Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here."

So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"

Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
John 18:33B-37

Discussion for Knight Me!

In the time of Jesus, most countries had kings. A king was a solitary powerful ruler whom everyone obeyed. Many of these monarchs ruled through fear. Disobeying the king would get you thrown in prison or executed. The Romans would have seen a Jewish king as a political threat.

So when Pilate is questioning Jesus, he is probably trying to understand the threat. Is Jesus a king? How many followers does he have? Are they strong?

Get a Set of Meditations on Christ the King

But Jesus indicates that his kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. This must have really puzzled Pilate. But we know what Jesus is saying. His kingdom is the Kingdom of God. This is a kingdom where everyone lives to serve the Father, just as he does. And he is a gentle ruler, not like the kings of the day who ruled by terrifying anyone who didn't serve them.

As Christians, we are vassals of Christ the King. Like the knight of old, we pledge ourselves in service to his kingdom. We offer our lives to help build the Kingdom of God. But sometimes we fall short. We forget our pledge to serve Jesus and do what we want instead.

But Jesus is a gentle king. He always calls us back, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He forgives us and asks us to recommit ourselves to him. He wants us to commit our whole selves to his service and to not hold some parts of our lives back.

Reflection Questions on Knight Me!

What commitments have you made to Jesus which you are good at keeping?

Are there parts of your life which you are not giving to our Lord?
Why is it so hard to commit our whole selves to Christ?
Who or what might help us remember that we have pledged ourselves to Jesus when we are faltering in our resolutions.

Challenge for Knight Me!

This week, recommit yourself to service to our Lord and King. Think of one part of your life which you have not really given over to Jesus yet. Make a resolution to offer that part of your life in service to Jesus.

Prayer

If time permits, spend some time kneeling before the tabernacle. Close with the prayer to Christ the King.

Get a set of meditations on the cross

Related Resources

Printable Copy of Knight Me!

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