Blessed Bearer Lesson Plan on Evangelization

Start by playing the Blanket Carry Relay game. In this game, teams carry a member on a blanket. Everyone must take a turn carrying and being carried. For details, see Blanket Carry Relay Game.

After the game, ask these questions:

• How difficult was it to carry the person on the blanket?
• Which did you prefer – doing the carrying or being carried?
• Did you come up with a strategy that made this easier?

It’s not always easy to carry someone else, and it’s also not easy being carried. Evangelization is similar because we carry Jesus to the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary was our first example of this.

Read the Gospel:

Luke 3:10-18 (The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth) – the Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday in Advent – Year C

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Luke 3:10-18

Mary literally brought Jesus Christ to her cousin Elizabeth. And Elizabeth recognized Him within Mary. It is not recorded, and it is not likely, that when Mary was walking down the street that strangers recognized her as the Christ Bearer. Elizabeth’s experience was an encounter that came as a result of their relationship with each other.

We know this to be true of how we bring Christ to others also. Just walking up to someone you don’t know and inviting them to encounter Jesus probably won’t be very effective. Evangelization starts with people we know and care about. And it comes from a place of love.

You might think that all of your friends know Jesus already. If they do, that’s great. But even in that case, you can work together to deepen your faith.

Watch this video on The Do’s and Don’ts of Evangelization. This video makes us laugh because Timid Tammy is so afraid to say what is on her mind. And Abrasive Abner is so obnoxious and overbearing. Obviously, we are going for an approach more like Graceful Gabby.

Graceful Gabby sees opportunities to evangelize. She is not forcing the issue but is using everyday events to help bring people to Christ. And her approach is straightforward. She isn’t trying to appear pious or holy or better than her friends. She is just inviting them into her world of life in Christ. This is where she loves to be, and she wants her friends to be there with her.

Think about Mary visiting Elizabeth. Mary didn’t make a grand announcement or try to show off her role. She simply went to see her cousin, bringing Jesus with her. In the same way, we don’t need to make a big show of our faith. We can share Jesus with others through our everyday actions and relationships.

Here are some more tips for evangelization:

• Be Genuine: People can tell when you’re being sincere. Share your faith from the heart, not because you feel like you have to.
• Listen First: Before you start talking about Jesus, listen to what your friends are going through. Show them that you care about their lives.
• Pray for Guidance: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your conversations. Pray for the right words and the right timing.
• Share Your Story: Talk about how your faith has made a difference in your life. Personal stories can be very powerful.
• Be Patient: Sometimes, it takes time for people to be open to faith. Don’t rush or pressure them.
• Live Your Faith: Actions speak louder than words. Live your life in a way that reflects your beliefs. Be kind, honest, and loving.
• Invite, Don’t Force: Like Graceful Gabby, invite your friends to join you in your faith journey. Whether it’s going to Mass, joining a youth group, or just talking about Jesus, make it an invitation, not a demand.
• Be Respectful: Respect where your friends are in their own spiritual journey. Everyone has their own path to follow.
• Encourage Questions: It’s okay if your friends have questions or doubts. Encourage them to ask and be ready to explore the answers together.
• Stay Connected: Keep the relationship strong. Whether or not your friends immediately respond to your evangelization, continue to be a good friend.

Remember, like Mary and Elizabeth, our evangelization efforts are most effective when they come from genuine, loving relationships. Mary brought Jesus to Elizabeth quietly and humbly. We can do the same by bringing Jesus into our interactions with friends and family.

By following these tips and focusing on building strong, loving relationships, you can be a Blessed Bearer, sharing the joy of Christ in a clean, straightforward way. Start small, be patient, and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you. You never know how a simple act of love can bring someone closer to Jesus.

In small groups, discuss how the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth can inspire us to share our faith. Reflect on the ways Mary humbly and lovingly brought Jesus to Elizabeth and how we can do the same in our lives. Think about the importance of relationships in evangelization and how the Holy Spirit can guide us.

Discussion Questions:

• What can we learn from Mary’s example that we can apply to our own lives?
• How did Mary’s visit to Elizabeth demonstrate love and humility?
• Why do you think Elizabeth recognized Jesus in Mary?
• How can we bring Jesus to our friends and family in everyday life?
• What are some challenges you face when trying to share your faith?
• How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us evangelize?
• Have you ever experienced joy from sharing your faith? Can you share that experience with the group?
• What practical steps can we take to become better Blessed Bearers in our daily interactions?
• How does building strong relationships make evangelization more effective?
• How can we support each other in our faith journeys and evangelization efforts?

This week, look for opportunities to evangelize. Be free and confident in speaking about your faith when the opportunity presents itself. To help, ask the Holy Spirit every day to give you the wisdom to see these opportunities and the courage to act on them.

Start by observing your daily interactions with friends, family, and classmates. Look for moments when you can naturally bring up your faith. It could be as simple as sharing a story about how prayer helped you in a tough situation or inviting someone to join you for Mass or a youth group event.

Remember, evangelization doesn’t always have to be a big, dramatic event. It can be as simple as a kind word or a thoughtful question. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in these moments and give you the right words to say.

Conclude by offering prayer intentions, especially for those we know who we would like to bring closer to Christ. Then ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother by praying the Hail Mary.

Themes for the Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan

• Role of Mary: Mary is the first evangelizer, bringing Jesus to Elizabeth. This shows how we can bring Christ to others. We learn from her example.
• Importance of Relationships: Evangelization starts with people we know. Mary and Elizabeth had a close bond. We can share faith with friends and family.
• Joy of Sharing Faith: Elizabeth’s joy shows the happiness of receiving Christ. Sharing our faith brings joy to others. We can spread this joy.
• Holy Spirit’s Role: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us evangelize. We need to rely on Him.
• Trust in God’s Promises: Mary believed God’s word. Her faith was strong. We are called to trust God’s promises too.
• Blessings of Faith: Elizabeth blessed Mary for her faith. Faith brings blessings. We can receive and share these blessings.
• Humility in Evangelization: Mary visited Elizabeth humbly. Humility is key in sharing faith. We should be humble when we evangelize.
• Power of a Simple Greeting: Mary’s greeting moved Elizabeth. Simple actions can have great effects. We can start evangelization with small steps.
• Recognizing Jesus in Others: Elizabeth recognized Jesus in Mary. We should see Christ in everyone. This helps us treat others with love and respect.
• Encouragement in Faith: Elizabeth’s words encouraged Mary. We should encourage each other in faith. Support strengthens our evangelization efforts.
• Witnessing to Life: Mary’s visit was a witness to life. Our actions can be a testimony to our faith. Live in a way that shows Christ to others.

Background Material for the Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan

The Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan is grounded in Catholic teaching and tradition. It focuses on the story of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, found in Luke 1:39-45. This event, known as the Visitation, highlights key aspects of sharing faith that align with Catholic principles.

Mary, the Blessed Bearer, brought Jesus to Elizabeth. This act of bringing Christ to others is the essence of evangelization. Mary’s role in this story shows her as the first evangelizer. She carried Jesus within her and shared Him with others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) emphasizes Mary’s unique role: “By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his Son’s redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church’s model of faith and charity” (CCC 967).

The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth is crucial. Their bond allowed Elizabeth to recognize Jesus within Mary. This teaches us that evangelization often starts with people we know and care about. Just as Mary shared her joy with Elizabeth, we can share our faith with friends and family. This personal connection makes our evangelization efforts more effective and heartfelt.

Elizabeth’s reaction to Mary’s visit is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). This joy is a key element of evangelization. When we share our faith, we bring joy to others. We also experience joy ourselves, knowing we are spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in evangelization. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when she recognized Jesus. We, too, need the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. The CCC states, “The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of the whole of the Church’s mission” (CCC 852). By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can be effective Blessed Bearers, bringing Christ to those around us.

Trust in God’s promises is another important lesson from this story. Mary believed what the angel told her about bearing the Son of God. Her faith was unwavering, and Elizabeth praised her for it: “Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). As Catholics, we are called to have the same trust in God’s promises. This trust strengthens our faith and encourages us to share it with others.

Humility is also key to being a Blessed Bearer. Mary visited Elizabeth not to boast, but to share her joy humbly. This humility is essential in evangelization. We should approach others with a humble heart, focusing on sharing God’s love rather than seeking personal recognition.

The Visitation teaches us about the power of simple actions in evangelization. Mary’s greeting had a profound impact on Elizabeth. This shows that small, everyday actions can be powerful in sharing our faith. A kind word, a simple gesture, or a loving presence can bring Christ to others in a clean and effective way.

In conclusion, the Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan aligns with Catholic teaching by emphasizing the role of relationships, the joy of sharing faith, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, trust in God’s promises, humility, and the power of simple actions. By following Mary’s example, we can become effective evangelizers, bringing Christ to those around us. As the CCC reminds us, “the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men.” (CCC 848). Through this lesson plan, we can learn to fulfill this mission in a meaningful and impactful way.

Music Suggestions for the Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan

• Visitation Song by Aly Aleigha
• Great Things by Matt Maher
• Holy Is His Name by John Michael Talbot
• Jesus Within You by Danielle Rose

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Teachers, youth ministers, and catechists can find more free Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plans and reflections on our website. Visit the Young Catholics Free Lesson Plans Page for resources to help youth grow in faith and learn to share it with others. Our clean and simple plans make teaching easy and effective. Explore our site for more ways to inspire and guide your group in their faith journey.