What Should We Do?

Start by playing the Know It All game, where youth can show off their knowledge. For full instructions, visit Know It All Game.

After the game, ask these questions:

• Was it easy to keep coming up with answers, or did you get stuck?
• Were any of your answers “incorrect” because they didn’t really fit the category?

This helps illustrate how people often think they know everything. When we ask for advice, people may answer quickly and confidently, but we need to be cautious. Sometimes their advice can be off-topic or even wrong.

Luke 3:10-18 (St. John the Baptist gives good advice) – the Gospel Reading for the 3rd Sunday in Advent – Year C

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”

He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”

Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?”

He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

Luke 3:10-18

When we ask someone for advice, we hope they give us the best answer possible. But the truth is, advice can be influenced by many factors. Sometimes the person giving advice wants to appear smart or important. Other times, they may just be following what everyone else thinks or trying to fit in with the crowd. And there are even moments when they might want to get you involved in their own personal interests or causes.

This can make it hard to know who to trust when we ask, “What should we do?” Even though we mean well, we might end up following advice that doesn’t really help us grow or stay on the right path. This is why it’s important to think carefully about who we turn to for advice.

In this Gospel reading from Luke 3:10-18, we see that people in Jesus’ time also asked for advice. Just like us, they wanted to know what they should do in life. Some of them probably got advice from their family, friends, or other people around them. But they also went to John the Baptist for guidance because they saw something different in him. John wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He didn’t care about being popular or gaining approval from others. His only goal was to serve God.

John’s advice was honest and went against what many powerful people were doing at that time. It was common for those in power to cheat others and take advantage of them. But John told people they needed to live differently. He said their actions should be based on fairness and compassion. For example, he told the tax collectors to stop collecting more than they were supposed to. He told the soldiers to stop bullying people and be content with their pay. John knew that this kind of behavior went against what God wanted. He understood that God calls us to live with justice, kindness, and care for others.

John’s advice wasn’t popular with everyone, but it was true to what God asked of His people. He knew that following the culture of the day wasn’t the answer. Instead, he pointed people back to God’s way. So when people asked him, “What should we do?” he gave them advice that helped them live better and closer to God.

So, what should we do when we seek advice? We need to make sure that the advice we get is rooted in faith. Otherwise, we could be led down a path that takes us away from God. Now, we probably don’t have someone exactly like John the Baptist in our lives. But we do have people around us who are strong in their faith. We also have the gift of prayer, which helps us stay close to Jesus and hear God’s voice in our hearts. The sacraments, like going to Mass and receiving Reconciliation, are also important tools that help keep us on the right path.

When it comes to advice, we need to seek out trustworthy sources. Who are the people in your life that you know are working hard to follow God? These are the people we should listen to. It’s great to have many friends, but we need to be careful about how much influence we let others have on our lives, especially if they’re not trying to live for Christ. It’s okay to have friends with different views, but we shouldn’t always follow their advice if it doesn’t match up with what God wants for us.

Think about the people in your life who inspire you to be better. Who makes you want to live more like Jesus? Who helps you stay grounded in your faith? These are the people we should turn to when we ask, “What should we do?” They may not have all the answers, but if they are close to God, their advice will guide us in the right direction. And don’t forget that we can always turn to prayer, the Bible, and the sacraments for help. When we ask God what we should do, He is always ready to guide us and lead us toward the best path.

In the end, John the Baptist’s advice shows us that God’s way isn’t always the most popular or easiest, but it’s always the right one. We should seek advice that helps us grow in faith, love, and honesty, just as John taught the people in his time. By staying connected to God and listening to those who are faithful, we can find the right answers to the question, “What should we do?” in our own lives.

When leading this discussion, encourage group members to be open and respectful. Remind them that everyone’s journey is different, and there are no wrong answers as long as we are seeking the truth in faith. Have everyone take turns sharing, and make sure no one dominates the conversation. Let the group explore how the lesson applies to their own lives. Encourage them to reflect on how asking “What should we do?” can help guide their decisions and actions in a way that draws them closer to God.

• John the Baptist gave advice to different groups of people in the Gospel. What do you think made people trust him with their questions?
• Why do you think it’s important to seek advice from people who are close to God? How do you identify these people in your life?
• John’s advice was simple, but it required action (sharing, honesty, and fairness). Can you think of a time when you needed to act on advice someone gave you? How did it affect your decisions?
• What are some ways we can make sure the advice we give to others is rooted in our faith and not just based on what’s popular or easy?
• Have you ever received advice that didn’t feel right or led you away from what you knew was good? How did you handle it?
• When you ask, “What should we do?” in difficult situations, how do prayer, the sacraments, or the Bible help guide your decisions?
• How can we help each other stay on the right path when making decisions that reflect our Catholic values?
• In your everyday life, where do you feel pressure to follow advice that might not align with your faith? How can you handle these situations better?
• What steps can we take to surround ourselves with people who will help us grow in our faith?
• How does the advice of John the Baptist challenge you to live differently? What is one thing you can do this week to apply his teachings?

These questions are designed to help participants think deeply about the role of advice in their lives and how it connects to their faith. Encourage them to think practically about how they can apply the lessons from John the Baptist in their own situations.

This week, make it a point to bring prayer into your conversations when seeking or giving advice. Before you ask someone for advice, take a moment to pray about the situation. Ask God to guide both your heart and the person you’re speaking with. If you’re about to offer advice, pause and ask for the wisdom to say what will help lead others closer to Christ. By starting with prayer, you acknowledge that God is in control and that His guidance is more important than any human answer. Trust that He will show you the way.

You can also take this a step further by inviting the person you’re talking with to pray together before you discuss the issue. This can be a simple prayer asking for God’s help in finding the right path. By praying together, you’re not only seeking God’s guidance but also growing in faith as a community. This shows that you value their thoughts but recognize that ultimately, God’s wisdom is what will lead to the best decisions. Make prayer a natural part of your conversations, and let it shape the advice you give and receive.

To close your lesson, gather everyone in a circle or quiet space to focus on prayer. Invite them to take a few moments to reflect on what they’ve learned about seeking advice rooted in faith. Then, lead the group in praying the Give Me Discerning Eyes prayer. This prayer asks God for the wisdom to see His path clearly and to make decisions that honor Him.

You can find a printable copy of the prayer at Give Me Discerning Eyes. Encourage the group to continue praying for discernment throughout the week as they face decisions and seek advice.

Themes for the What Should We Do? Lesson Plan on Advice

• Justice and Fairness: John the Baptist teaches us to treat others fairly. When people ask, “what should we do?” he tells them not to cheat or take advantage of others. Catholic teaching calls us to be just in all our actions.
• Charity and Sharing: John tells people to share what they have with those in need. We are called to give to others, especially when we have more than enough. This follows the Catholic value of loving our neighbor.
• Honesty in Actions: John instructs the tax collectors to stop collecting more than required. We are reminded to act honestly and not deceive others. Honesty is an important part of Catholic moral teaching.
• Contentment and Gratitude: John tells the soldiers to be satisfied with their wages. We learn to be content with what God provides. Gratitude helps us focus on God’s blessings.
• Humility Before God: John knows he is not the Christ and humbly points to Jesus. We are called to be humble and recognize our place before God. Catholic teaching values humility as key to living a faithful life.
• Repentance and Conversion: John’s preaching calls people to change their ways. Asking, “what should we do?” leads us to repentance and a fresh start. The Church teaches that conversion is an ongoing journey toward holiness.
• Avoiding Sin: John tells people to avoid behaviors like extortion and false accusations. When we ask, “what should we do?” we are guided away from sinful actions. The Church teaches us to avoid sin and live virtuously.
• Baptism and New Life: John speaks of the baptism with water and the coming baptism with the Holy Spirit. This lesson points to the need for the sacraments in our spiritual lives. Baptism is the first step in becoming part of God’s family.
• Compassion for Others: John’s advice encourages caring for those in need. We are called to be compassionate and help those who are struggling. The Church teaches that compassion is essential in Christian life.
• Seeking God’s Will: The people in the Gospel want to know what God desires from them. “What should we do?” is a question that helps us seek God’s will in our daily lives. Catholic teaching encourages us to constantly seek and follow God’s plan.
• Preparing for Christ: John’s mission is to prepare people for Jesus. Asking, “what should we do?” helps us to be ready for Christ’s coming in our lives. The Church reminds us to always prepare our hearts for Christ.

Background Material for the What Should We Do? Lesson Plan on Advice

The “What Should We Do?” Lesson Plan on Advice is based on the teachings of John the Baptist in Luke 3:10-18. In this Gospel, people come to John asking, “What should we do?” They want to know how to live their lives in a way that pleases God. John’s answers are simple and clear: share with others, be honest, avoid greed, and live with fairness. These teachings are directly connected to Catholic values such as justice, charity, and honesty.

In the Bible, the theme of seeking guidance from God is found in many places. In Proverbs 3:5-6, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” This reflects the same question, “What should we do?”—we seek advice not just from the world, but from God, trusting that His ways are right. John the Baptist’s advice comes from his deep faith and understanding of God’s will, guiding people to live in a way that leads them closer to God.

Catholic teaching also emphasizes the importance of seeking and giving advice rooted in faith. We are searching for God’s direction in our lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Man is obliged to follow the moral law, which urges him ‘to do what is good and avoid what is evil’” (CCC 1713). This fits with John the Baptist’s message, as he instructs the people to stop engaging in dishonest or harmful actions and instead focus on what is good.

John’s advice about sharing with those in need is a central part of Catholic social teaching. The Church teaches that we are responsible for helping others, especially those less fortunate. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus says, “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink.” When people ask, “What should we do?” the answer is often to care for others, showing love and charity through our actions.

Another key point in John the Baptist’s message is the call to be content with what we have. He tells the soldiers to be satisfied with their wages and to avoid greed. In 1 Timothy 6:6, St. Paul writes, “There is great gain in godliness with contentment.” This reflects the Catholic view that we should focus on our relationship with God, rather than seeking more material wealth. The Church encourages a life of simplicity and gratitude, reminding us to appreciate what God has already given us.

People are often looking for practical guidance. But John the Baptist’s advice goes beyond that—it points to a deeper spiritual truth. He reminds the people that someone greater than him is coming, referring to Jesus Christ. John baptizes with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. This shows that our ultimate answer to “What should we do?” is to follow Jesus, seeking to live as He did and preparing our hearts for Him.

Through this lesson plan, youth can learn how Catholic teaching provides clear and faithful answers to the question, “What should we do?” Whether in daily life or in larger decisions, we are called to follow the moral teachings of the Church, live with charity, seek God’s will, and always look to Christ as our ultimate guide.

Music Suggestions for the What Should We Do? Lesson Plan on Advice

• Ready the Way by Curtis Stephan
• Find Us Ready, Lord by Tom Booth
• The Glory of It All by David Crowder Band

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

If you’re looking for more free lesson plans and reflections like the “What Should We Do?” Lesson Plan on Advice, visit our website. We have resources for teachers, youth ministers, and catechists to help guide young people in their faith journey. These lessons focus on practical advice rooted in Catholic teaching, making it easier to lead discussions and activities. Find them all at Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections.