Love One Another Lesson Plan

Emotion in Motion

This game helps youth understand how we express and recognize emotions and that they are important when we interact with others. You can find the complete instructions here.

Follow up with a few questions.

• Which emotions were the easiest to recognize?
• Which were the most difficult?
• Why are emotions so important to us?

Understanding and recognizing emotions is a big part of how we connect with each other. When we can see how someone feels, it helps us know how to respond. For example, if a friend looks sad, we might offer support. If someone seems happy, we can share in their joy. Being aware of others’ emotions helps us build stronger relationships.

But emotions can be tricky. Sometimes, we might not show how we really feel, or we might misunderstand someone else’s feelings. This can lead to confusion or hurt feelings. That’s why it’s important to pay attention and try to understand each other better.

In our faith, Jesus teaches us to love one another. Part of that love is being aware of and caring about how others feel. By recognizing and respecting each other’s emotions, we can follow Jesus’ example and build a more loving community.

John 13:31-33A, 34-35 (Jesus gives the Great Commandment) – the Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter – Year C

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once.

My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:31-33A, 34-35

We often think of love as an emotion, like happiness or excitement. But Jesus tells us to love one another, and this shows us that love is more than just a feeling. Love is something we can choose to do. It is an action and a decision. Emotions, on the other hand, are reactions to what is happening around us. They come and go depending on our mood or circumstances. Love is much deeper than that.

When we choose to love, emotions might follow. For example, when we love someone, we might feel joy when we are with them or sadness when they are hurting. Sometimes, love can bring hard emotions too, like frustration or anger, especially when someone we love lets us down. But those feelings do not define love. Love itself is not an emotion. It doesn’t disappear just because we feel hurt or disappointed.

So, if love is not an emotion, what is it? St. Paul describes love in a way that helps us understand. He writes in 1 Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

This shows us that love is about how we treat others. To love one another means being patient and kind, even when we don’t feel like it. It means letting go of jealousy or pride when someone else gets something we wanted. It means forgiving, even when it is hard. Love is lifting others up instead of tearing them down. It is choosing to care about what is best for someone else, even if it costs us something.

Loving others is not always easy. Sometimes, it means sacrificing what we want for the sake of another person. Jesus is our greatest example of this. He loved us so much that he gave up his life for us. While we might never be asked to die for someone, we are often called to make smaller sacrifices. Maybe it’s giving up time to help someone in need. Maybe it’s letting go of anger and forgiving someone who has hurt us. Maybe it’s choosing to include someone who feels left out, even when it’s inconvenient.

These sacrifices aren’t just about big moments. They happen in everyday decisions. For example, when you see someone sitting alone at lunch and you know they need a friend, you have a choice. You can ignore them and stay comfortable with your group, or you can go sit with them. That is an act of love. Or, if your sibling takes the last piece of cake, you can choose to hold a grudge or let it go. These are small moments, but they are chances to practice the love Jesus calls us to.

When Jesus tells us to love one another as I have loved you, he is not promising that it will always be easy. In fact, he is warning us that it might be hard. Love requires effort, patience, and sometimes sacrifice. But it is also the most important commandment he gives us. By loving others, we show that we belong to him. It is how the world will know we are his disciples.

Loving others doesn’t mean we will always feel happy or get something in return. Sometimes, loving someone might even mean standing up for what is right, even if it makes them upset. Love always seeks what is truly good for the other person. And when we love others, we grow closer to God because God is love.

So remember, love is not about how we feel—it is about what we choose to do. Jesus chose to love us when he gave his life for us, and now he calls us to do the same for one another. Love one another, not because it is easy, but because it is what Jesus asks of us.

Facilitators, guide your group through an open and respectful conversation about what it means to love one another. Encourage participants to share honestly but remind them to listen to others with kindness and patience. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, and the goal is to reflect on how we can live out Jesus’ command in our daily lives. Allow time for each person to speak, and keep the discussion focused on the topic.

• What does it mean to you to love one another the way Jesus loves us?
• Why do you think Jesus made loving others a commandment instead of a suggestion?
• Can you think of a time when someone showed you love in a way that reflected Jesus? How did it make you feel?
• What are some situations in your life where it is hard to love others?
• How do you think love can be a decision rather than just a feeling?
• Why is forgiveness an important part of loving one another?
• What are some practical ways you can show love to others at school, at home, or in your community?
• How do you think loving others can bring you closer to God?
• What do you think St. Paul meant when he said, “Love never fails”?
• How can the example of Jesus’ love inspire you to make sacrifices for others?

This week, take some time to notice the small decisions you make each day. When you’re faced with two good choices, pause and ask yourself, “Which of these would show the sort of love Jesus commanded?” It might be choosing to help a sibling with their homework instead of watching TV. It could be as simple as saying something kind to a classmate instead of staying silent. These small moments are chances to practice love, just like Jesus taught us.

Choosing love in small decisions helps us build the habit of thinking and acting like Jesus. It might feel awkward at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. Remember, love isn’t always about big gestures—it’s about little acts of kindness, patience, and sacrifice. Each time you choose love, you reflect Jesus’ light to others and grow closer to him. This week, look for those moments, take the loving action, and see how it changes your day.

Let’s conclude our time together by praying “A Prayer to Love One Another.” This prayer asks God to help us love others as He loves us. As we pray, think about how you can show love in your daily life. Let’s pray:

Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
Give me knowledge; O giver of Knowledge,
That I may be one with my Universe and Mother Earth!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love O God.
Bless us with your Love.
Amen.

As we go through this week, let’s remember this prayer and try to live it out. Look for chances to be patient, kind, and caring. When it’s hard, ask God for help. Together, we can make a difference by choosing to love one another, just as Jesus taught us.

A printable copy of the prayer can be found here.

Themes

• Jesus’ Command to Love: Jesus tells us to love one another as he loves us. This means putting others first and being willing to make sacrifices. Loving others is central to living as a follower of Christ.
• Love is a Choice: Love is not just a feeling but a decision to act with kindness and care. We can choose to love one another even when it is hard. This is how we show our love for God.
• Patience and Kindness: To love one another, we must be patient and kind, even when it is not easy. These virtues help us see the good in others. Acting this way brings peace and unity.
• Forgiveness in Love: Loving others means forgiving those who hurt us. Holding grudges blocks our ability to love one another fully. Forgiveness helps heal our hearts and our relationships.
• Love Reflects God’s Love: When we love one another, we reflect God’s love for us. God’s love is unconditional and selfless. Our actions show others who God is.
• Sacrifice for Others: To love one another, we often need to give up our own wants for the good of others. Jesus showed this by giving his life for us. We can follow his example in everyday situations.
• Living the Golden Rule: Treating others as we want to be treated is one way we love one another. This means being fair, kind, and respectful. It builds stronger relationships and communities.
• Love in Family Life: Loving one another starts at home with our families. Being patient, forgiving, and helpful shows our family members we care. This is how we grow in holiness together.
• Service to Others: Loving one another often means helping those in need. Acts of service, like feeding the hungry or comforting the lonely, are ways to share Christ’s love. This is how we live out the Gospel.
• Unity in Diversity: Loving one another means respecting differences and working together. It helps us see the value of every person. This builds the Body of Christ.
• Joy in Loving Others: When we love one another, we often experience joy and peace. Sharing love brings happiness to us and to others. This is a gift from God.

Background Material

The command to love one another is at the heart of Catholic teaching. In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells his disciples, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” This teaching calls us to follow Jesus’ example of selfless and sacrificial love. Loving others is not optional for Christians. It is a command that shows the world we are his followers.

The Bible gives many examples of what it means to love one another. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, St. Paul describes love as patient and kind. He explains that love does not envy, boast, or seek its own gain. Instead, love is forgiving, truthful, and enduring. This description helps us understand that love is not just a feeling. It is an action and a choice we make every day.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that love is the greatest of all virtues. It says, “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC 1822). This means that when we love one another, we show our love for God. Love is how we live out our faith and respond to God’s love for us.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of love. He gave his life to save us from sin and bring us into God’s family. He did this not because we earned it but because he loves us unconditionally. This is the kind of love we are called to share with others. It is a love that puts others first, even when it is hard.

Loving one another also reflects the unity of the Church. St. John Paul II called the Church “a communion of love.” He explained that the Church is strengthened when we choose to love and forgive one another. By loving others, we help build the Body of Christ. This unity shows the world the power of God’s love.

Pope Francis has often spoken about loving one another in practical ways. He reminds us to show kindness to the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized. He calls this the “revolution of tenderness.” When we act with tenderness and mercy, we follow Jesus’ command to love one another.

Loving others is not always easy. Sometimes it means forgiving someone who has hurt us or being patient with someone difficult. But when we love one another, we draw closer to God. As Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

The Catholic faith teaches us that love is not just a feeling. It is a decision to act in ways that reflect God’s love for us. By loving one another, we grow in holiness and help bring God’s kingdom to earth. This is what it means to live as disciples of Jesus.

Music Suggestions

• Hold Us Together by Matt Maher
• Can We Love? by Tom Booth
• Ubi Caritas by by Bob Hurd
• Love One Another by Bob Dufford

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Teachers, youth ministers, and catechists can find more free lesson plans and reflections on our website. These resources are designed to help young people grow in faith and understand Catholic teachings in a practical way. Visit Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections to explore a variety of topics and activities for your group. Whether you need ideas for youth ministry, religious education, or small group discussions, you’ll find helpful tools to guide your planning. All materials are free and easy to use. Check them out today!