Lesson Plan on the Woman Caught in Adultery

Start this lesson plan on being a hypocrite with a game called Phony Fun Relay (see the instructions).

After the game, think about these questions:

• Who looked the silliest?
• Which item was the hardest to run with?
• Would this relay have been easier without all the props?

Sometimes we want others to see us a certain way. We put on a show, saying the right things and acting like we have it all together. We may even judge others harshly, while ignoring our own faults. This can be true for anyone, even spiritual leaders, whose words and actions don’t always match up.

Consider the religious leaders in this gospel:

John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery ) – the Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday of Lent – Year C

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.

But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him.

Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

She replied, “No one, sir.”

Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

Most of us know what a hypocrite is, right? A hypocrite is someone who says one thing but does another. The dictionary says that hypocrisy is “the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.” In other words, it’s about pretending to be something you’re not, especially when you act like you’re better than others. Hypocrisy often involves judging others while ignoring our own faults or weaknesses. Jesus shows us how to deal with this in today’s reading, where He confronts the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time.

In this story, Jesus is confronted by scribes and Pharisees—Jewish religious leaders. These leaders were known for following every detail of the law. They expected everyone else to follow it just as closely and often judged those who fell short. At that time, the law said that a person caught in adultery should be stoned. That means they would stand around the person, throwing stones until they died. It was a terrible punishment, and, sadly, a punishment that fell especially hard on women. In this case, the leaders bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus and demand that He weigh in on what they should do with her.

If it helps, it might be good to explain what adultery means. Adultery is “sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.”

This was considered a serious sin in that society. But the religious leaders aren’t really interested in justice here; they’re trying to trap Jesus. They believe that He’ll show mercy and tell them not to stone her, which they would then use to accuse Him of disrespecting the law. So, in reality, they’re using this woman and her sin as a tool to discredit Jesus. This action alone shows hypocrisy since they don’t care about her, her well-being, or true justice.

What happens next is powerful. Jesus bends down and begins writing on the ground with His finger. They keep pressing Him for an answer, and finally, He stands up and says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” With this one sentence, Jesus shifts the focus away from the woman and onto the hearts of those accusing her. The people standing there feel convicted, realizing that they, too, are sinners. And one by one, they leave until only Jesus and the woman are left.

Jesus’s response here is brilliant and full of wisdom. He doesn’t excuse the woman’s sin, nor does He deny that the law was broken. But He points out the hypocrisy of those who were quick to condemn her. They find her sin intolerable, yet they are okay with their own sins. They are applying a harsh standard to her, while they don’t apply the same standard to themselves. This is the heart of hypocrisy—judging someone else harshly while ignoring or excusing your own faults.

There’s another layer of hypocrisy here. The law called for both the man and woman involved in adultery to be punished, yet only the woman is brought forward. This reveals something deeper about the unfairness of their actions. Women had very little standing or power in that society, so it was easier to put all the blame on her. The man, who should have faced the same punishment, isn’t even mentioned. This shows how easily hypocrisy can slip in when we apply different standards to people, often judging those who are vulnerable more harshly than those with power.

Now, it’s important to see that Jesus does not tell the woman that her sin was acceptable. He acknowledges her sin by telling her to “go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Jesus calls her to change, to live in a way that is holy. But He does it with compassion, not with judgment or anger. He doesn’t condemn her; instead, He encourages her to live a life that honors God. His response is filled with mercy, reminding us that true change and holiness come from love and kindness, not from harsh condemnation.

Sadly, we can see similar hypocrisy even within the Church today. Sometimes people judge and condemn others harshly for their faults. Some may even use their own “holiness” as a way to elevate themselves above others. It’s important to remember that the Church is made up of people, and people are imperfect. Every one of us is a sinner, and it’s easy to fall into judging others while ignoring our own shortcomings.

This doesn’t mean that anything goes or that people should just do whatever they want. The Church teaches us what is right and wrong and points us to live lives that follow God’s will. Just as Jesus guided the woman toward a life of holiness, the Church guides us on a path that leads to a closer relationship with God. However, the way this message is delivered matters. When it is done with kindness, compassion, and humility, it can encourage people to grow. When it is done harshly or hypocritically, it often does more harm than good.

Instead of falling into hypocrisy, we are called to walk with each other on this journey of faith. We need to remember that all of us will stumble and fall at times. Rather than pointing fingers and condemning, we should be reaching out to help each other get back up, showing understanding and mercy. Jesus’s response teaches us that living with honesty and humility makes our faith real, powerful, and compassionate. Let’s be a community that encourages each other, picks each other up, and keeps walking together toward holiness.

Facilitators, begin by encouraging open, honest sharing in your group. Remind everyone that discussing our own experiences and struggles can help us learn from one another and grow together. This lesson plan on being a hypocrite is about examining how our actions reflect our beliefs, so it’s okay to talk about times when we’ve fallen short. Each person’s insights matter, so encourage active listening and create a safe, non-judgmental space for everyone to share.

Discussion Questions:

• What does the term “hypocrite” mean to you, and why do you think hypocrisy is something Jesus spoke against so strongly?
• Can you think of a time when someone’s actions didn’t match their words? How did that affect the way you saw them or their beliefs?
• Why do you think the religious leaders in the Gospel were so quick to condemn the woman while ignoring their own sins?
• How does Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery show both justice and mercy?
• Why do you think Jesus asked those without sin to cast the first stone? How does this challenge us in our own lives?
• In what ways do we sometimes judge others too harshly? How can we remind ourselves to focus on our own actions first?
• How does humility help us avoid hypocrisy? Why is it important to see our own weaknesses?
• How can we live with integrity and make sure our words and actions match?
• How can we support each other in living honest, compassionate lives without judging each other harshly?
• What are some small steps you can take to live out your faith in a way that reflects kindness and humility?

Wrap up by encouraging participants to think about one practical way they can act with integrity and compassion this week. Thank everyone for their openness and listening as a group.

This week, try to pay close attention to any moments when you might feel yourself slipping into judgment or hypocrisy. Maybe it’s a small thought about someone’s behavior, or a reaction to something they said. When you notice this, take a step back and remind yourself that you aren’t perfect either. We all make mistakes and fall short. The truth is, we all need grace, just like the person you’re judging. Catching ourselves in these moments is a great way to practice humility and self-awareness.

Instead of letting judgment grow, try saying a silent prayer—for that person and for yourself. Ask God to help you see them through His eyes, with compassion and understanding. Pray for patience and kindness in your own heart. These small prayers can help us break the cycle of hypocrisy, and they help us grow closer to God by treating others with the same mercy we need ourselves. This week, let’s focus on lifting each other up in prayer instead of letting judgment take over.

If we have time, let’s end with a powerful prayer—the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This prayer is a special way to ask for God’s mercy, not just for ourselves but for the whole world. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is simple, but it’s incredibly meaningful. We’re asking Jesus to help us, to heal us, and to forgive us in every part of our lives.

When we pray this chaplet, let’s remember that God’s mercy is endless and available to everyone who asks. As we pray, we can bring to mind anyone we know who needs mercy right now—ourselves, our family, our friends, and even those who may be struggling. By praying this chaplet, we’re not only opening our hearts to God’s love, but also offering that love and mercy to others. Let’s ask Jesus to fill our lives with His compassion, forgiveness, and peace.

For a shorter prayer option, use a Popcorn Circle to pray for personal intentions.

Themes for the Lesson Plan on the Woman Caught in Adultery

• Authenticity in Faith: Catholics are called to live their faith with honesty. Authenticity means letting our actions match our beliefs, avoiding hypocrisy. Jesus’ teachings show that a true disciple’s life should reflect their words.
• Judging Others Carefully: Jesus teaches us not to judge others harshly. He reminds us that we all have our own faults. This lesson encourages us to approach others with understanding rather than criticism.
• Humility Before God: Humility is seeing ourselves truthfully in light of God’s holiness. Recognizing our own weaknesses helps us avoid hypocrisy. This humility leads us to rely on God’s mercy.
• Compassion Over Condemnation: Jesus shows compassion rather than judgment in the Gospel story. Catholics are called to do the same with others’ weaknesses. This means responding with kindness and support, not pointing fingers.
• Walking in Integrity: Integrity means having our actions reflect our beliefs. Catholics are called to live this way, following Jesus’ example. Living with integrity builds trust and a strong faith community.
• Forgiveness for All: The lesson reminds us that everyone, including ourselves, needs forgiveness. Catholics believe that God’s mercy is open to all who seek it. Embracing this belief helps us avoid harsh judgments.
• Avoiding Double Standards: Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of holding others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. Catholics are called to be fair and consistent in all judgments. This means treating others with the same mercy we want for ourselves.
• Honesty About Sin: Catholics believe that everyone sins and falls short. Jesus’ response to the Pharisees reminds us to look at our own lives first. Being honest about our own sins helps us grow closer to God.
• Love and Patience: This lesson encourages patience and love as we guide others. Catholics are called to support others in their faith journey without harsh criticism. Love helps us build each other up, not tear down.
• Mercy Over Sacrifice: Jesus valued mercy over strict rule-following. Catholics are called to focus on compassion and mercy. By showing mercy, we reflect God’s love for all His children.

Background Material for the Lesson Plan on the Woman Caught in Adultery

Hypocrisy is an issue that Jesus frequently addresses in the Gospels, making it a core teaching in Catholic faith. This lesson plan on being a hypocrite helps youth understand the damage caused by saying one thing but doing another. Hypocrisy creates barriers, harms relationships, and leads people away from God. In Matthew 23:27, Jesus calls out the Pharisees, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones.” The Pharisees focused on appearing holy, while ignoring God’s call to live with integrity and compassion.

This lesson plan on being a hypocrite helps young people see that Jesus calls for authentic faith—a faith expressed both in words and actions. In John 8:1-11, Jesus addresses the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees when they accuse a woman of adultery, yet overlook their own faults. When Jesus says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” He emphasizes that we should avoid judging others harshly, especially since we ourselves are not without sin. The Catholic Church teaches us to avoid hypocrisy by examining our own lives first and practicing mercy toward others.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that hypocrisy damages truthfulness, saying, “Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy” (CCC 2468). Hypocrisy undermines the call to live truthfully, which is essential to living an honest life. True faith means striving to live as Jesus taught, with both our words and actions reflecting kindness, honesty, and mercy.

Humility, the opposite of hypocrisy, is also a key value in Catholic teaching. Humility is understanding our need for God and recognizing our faults. Saint Augustine once said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Hypocrisy often comes from pride—the desire to appear better than we are. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us grounded, reminding us that we all need God’s mercy and forgiveness.

This lesson plan on being a hypocrite encourages compassion over condemnation, as Jesus shows in the Gospel. Catholic faith teaches that we should show compassion to others, understanding that everyone is on their own faith journey. This approach does not mean accepting sinful behavior; rather, it means addressing sin with patience and love instead of harsh judgment. Jesus’ words to the woman, “Go, and from now on do not sin any more,” demonstrate this approach. He does not condemn but lovingly calls her to a better path.

In summary, this lesson plan on being a hypocrite shows that true Catholic faith is about living with honesty and humility. It encourages youth to look at their own lives and actions, avoiding hypocrisy and treating others with understanding. By following Jesus’ example, we grow in holiness and help each other on the journey of faith.

Music Suggestions for the Lesson Plan on the Woman Caught in Adultery

• How He Loves by David Crowder Band
• Beautiful Things by Gungor
• This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham
• God of Mercy by Ricky Manalo

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

For more free lesson plans on being a hypocrite and other reflections, visit this page. Our site offers a variety of resources to help teachers, youth ministers, and catechists guide young people in understanding their faith. These lesson plans are designed to be engaging and easy to use, making it simple to discuss topics like integrity, compassion, and discipleship. Explore our collection for fresh ideas to inspire and connect with your youth group or class.