About This Lesson Plan on Fault Finding
This I Can't See lesson plan on fault finding will help youth understand that they must look closely at themselves and their own weaknesses before criticizing others. It also reminds them that the words they use show what is really in their hearts.
Opening Game for I Can't See
Start by playing Guide Me to Heaven (see the directions). In this game, a leader guides a group of blindfolded players through some obstacles.
Follow up with a couple of questions:
- What do you think would have happened if you had tried to walk across blindfolded without your leader giving you directions?
- Did your leaders make it easier to get from one side to the other?
- Do you think the leaders could have guided you if they were also blindfolded?
We all need help navigating life sometimes. Sometimes we notice a friend is about to stumble and fall and hurt themselves through their actions. So it can be helpful to point that out. But before we do that, we must be aware of our own faults.
Scripture Reading for Fault Finding Lesson Plan
Read the Gospel:
Luke 6:39-45 (Remove the beam from your eye) - the Gospel Reading for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Jesus told his disciples a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.
"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."
Luke 6:39-45
Discussion for I Can't See
Imagine you are at school and your friend is wearing a really ridiculous looking hat. So you approach your friend and say, "That hat looks really bad on you. You should take it off. I'm just trying to be a good friend here."
But then your friend looks back at you and says, "Then why are you wearing the same hat?"
Oops! You forgot you put that hat on this morning. And you criticized your friend for wearing the same hat you had on. It seems pretty hypocritical. And your friend probably won't think much of your advice in the future.
Jesus is telling us that we have to be aware of our own shortcomings and weaknesses before we start pointing out to others where we think they are falling short.
So how can we learn to see our own problems before fault finding in others?
First of all, remember times when we haven't lived as we should. We can think about how we might still be carrying some of those sins around with us. If necessary, we should make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And we need to remember that we have to go to confession more than once in our lives. We will continue to fail. We need to stop making excuses for ourselves and remember that.
Also, be on guard for any feelings of smug superiority. A feeling that we have it all together and the person standing opposite us does not is usually a dead giveaway that we aren't looking honestly at ourselves. It might be time to climb down off of that pedestal and take a long look in the mirror.
Think before you speak. Is it really necessary to correct the other person? Or is it just to boost your own self-esteem? Or perhaps you are trying to look good or knowledgeable in front of others. If you are more interested in yourself than the well being of the other person, then work on that beam in your own eye.
Jesus also mentions that our words show what is really in our hearts. So when we do speak to others, we must not be harsh. Start from a place of love and compassion. And also a place of solidarity. It may help to mention that you understand because you aren't perfect either. Think about the most loving things you can say and do to help your friend.
Reflection Questions for Fault Finding Lesson Plan
- Have you ever had someone point out one of your faults or failings to you?
- Did they do it privately or in front of others?
- Did you find it helpful or hurtful?
- Are there parts of your own personality that you might not be seeing clearly?
Challenge for Fault Finding Lesson Plan
This week, stop before you criticize another person. Think about yourself and try to see if you have a similar flaw. Decide if pointing out the problem is a loving action on your part or a self-centered action. Say something only if it is necessary and loving. Then spend some time praying for the other person.
Prayer for Lesson Plan on Fault Finding
Conclude by offering petitions and praying the Confiteor.
Related Resources
The Confiteor Prayer (I Confess Prayer)
The Confiteor prayer is sometimes called the I Confess prayer. Confiteor means “I confess” or “I acknowledge” in Latin. It is one of the options for the Penitential Rite near the beginning of Mass. It is also just a good prayer to say to help remember our own weaknesses. This goes well with this lesson plan on fault finding.
When the Splinter in Your Eye is Really a Beam
Jesus’ famous splinter vs. log (or beam) comparison is a wonderful example of Christ bluntly calling out the hypocrisy in all of us. It three major components: first, He tells people to be aware of their judgments of others — and that such judgments will turn against judgers. Second, he asks how people can see others’ small flaws — but not their own major ones. And, lastly, he asks how his listeners can judge others without examining themselves first. Read this for some background material for this lesson plan on fault finding.
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