Superpowers: A Lesson Plan on Being Clothed in Power

Would You Rather?

This game is a fun way to break the ice and get youth thinking about the idea of superpowers. The questions are simple, imaginative, and related to superheroes, making them a great lead-in to this week’s theme. Read each question aloud, and ask participants to pick which option they prefer. Encourage them to explain their choices briefly if they feel comfortable sharing. Keep the energy light and playful, and let everyone participate in a way that works for them.

See the complete instructions for Would You Rather here.

• Would you rather be invisible or have super vision that lets you see through walls?
• Would you rather be able to run super fast or fly slowly?
• Would you rather be able to change the past or see the future?
• Would you rather be able to read minds or make people forget things?
• Would you rather be able to jump super high or shrink down to a tiny size?
• Would you rather have a sidekick or work alone?
• Would you rather be able to use mental powers to move things or make things disappear?
• Would you rather live in a world where everyone has superpowers or where just a few people do?
• Would you rather be the hero or the villain?
• Would you rather let people know your superpower or keep it hidden?

That was fun! Superpowers are exciting to think about because they make us imagine doing things we could never do on our own. Maybe that’s why superhero stories are so popular—they take us to a world where people can do extraordinary things, like flying, reading minds, or saving the day in ways that seem impossible. It’s fun to imagine what we’d do if we had those kinds of abilities.

But have you ever thought about what you would do if you really did have a superpower? Would you use it to help people, or would it be more about doing something cool for yourself? When you think about it, even in superhero stories, the greatest powers are the ones that are used to help others. That’s what makes a true hero—they use their gifts for the good of those around them, no matter the risk.

Here’s the exciting part: in today’s Gospel, we’re going to hear about a real superpower that we’ve all been given. Jesus tells His disciples—and us—that we will be “clothed with power from on high.” This isn’t a power to fly or turn invisible, but something even greater. It’s the power to live courageously, to do what is right, and to share God’s love with the world. It’s a gift from the Holy Spirit, and it’s a power we can all use. Let’s dive in and see what this is all about!

Luke 24:46-53 (Jesus promises that we will be clothed in power) – the Gospel Reading for the The Ascension of the Lord – Year C

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

Luke 24:46-53

Jesus promises us we will be clothed in power. Picture it like a superhero putting on a cape! But here’s the difference: this superpower doesn’t come from us. It comes from the Holy Spirit. God Himself gives us the strength and courage we need to live as followers of Jesus.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait to be “clothed with power from on high.” He’s preparing them for something incredible. At this moment, Jesus is about to ascend into heaven, returning to the Father. This happens 40 days after Easter, and it’s a big moment. But He doesn’t leave them without hope. He promises to send the Holy Spirit, and ten days later, on Pentecost, that promise is fulfilled.

Let’s talk about Pentecost because some amazing things happen that day. The disciples are gathered together, and suddenly, the sound of a rushing wind fills the room. Flames, like tongues of fire, appear over each of their heads. Then, they start speaking in foreign languages—languages they’ve never learned! These signs are pretty spectacular. But the most incredible thing is what happens inside of them.

Before Pentecost, the disciples are afraid. They’ve seen Jesus arrested, tortured, and killed. They know that sharing His message could get them into serious trouble, maybe even killed too. But when the Holy Spirit comes, everything changes. They are filled with courage—the superpower to speak boldly about Jesus. They go out into the streets, into the world, and start spreading the Good News. Even when they face danger, they don’t back down. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit working in them.

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s great for them, but what about me?” The good news is that the Holy Spirit’s superpower wasn’t just for the disciples. It’s for you too. You might not see tongues of fire or hear rushing wind, but the Holy Spirit is still working in powerful ways today. This same Spirit gives us courage when we need it, and let’s be honest, there are plenty of moments in life when we do.

Think about your everyday life. Maybe you’ve seen someone being picked on or treated unfairly, and you knew you should speak up. That takes courage. Or maybe you’ve thought about inviting a friend to Mass or youth group, but you were afraid of how they might react. That takes courage too. Or what about standing up for what you know is right when everyone else is going along with something wrong? That’s not easy, but the Holy Spirit can help you do it.

The disciples didn’t find their courage on their own, and we don’t have to either. When you feel afraid or unsure, take a moment to pray. A simple prayer like “Come, Holy Spirit” is enough. You’re asking the Holy Spirit to fill you with the strength and power you need. Remember, you’re not alone. God is with you, and He wants to help you.

It’s also a great idea to pray with others. Find a friend or family member who can pray with you when you’re feeling scared or unsure. Sometimes just knowing that someone else is asking God to help you can make all the difference.

When you pray, trust that the Holy Spirit is clothing you with power, just like Jesus promised. Then it’s time to act. Imagine putting on that superhero cape the Spirit gives you. Step out boldly and do what you know is right. Whether it’s speaking up for someone, sharing your faith, or standing strong in a tough situation, the Holy Spirit’s superpower is with you.

You don’t have to do this alone. The Holy Spirit is your helper, guide, and source of strength. So the next time you feel afraid or unsure, remember Pentecost. The same Spirit that filled the disciples with courage is ready to do the same for you. Pray, trust, and act. You’ve got a superpower, and it’s time to use it!

Facilitators, small group discussions are a great way to help youth connect with the message of the Superpowers lesson plan. Encourage everyone to share openly, but remind them that it’s okay to pass if they’re not comfortable answering a question. Emphasize respect and listening to each other. Start with lighter questions to help them feel at ease, then move into deeper reflections about the Holy Spirit and courage. Wrap up by inviting them to pray together as a group.

• What do you think it means to be “clothed with power” by the Holy Spirit?
• Have you ever felt like you needed extra courage to do the right thing? What happened?
• Why do you think the Holy Spirit gave the disciples courage on Pentecost?
• What are some situations in your life where you might need the Holy Spirit’s superpower?
• Have you ever prayed to the Holy Spirit for help? What was that experience like?
• How do you think the Holy Spirit helps us share our faith with others?
• What are some ways you could ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength this week?
• How can we encourage and support each other to live boldly in our faith?
• What does it mean to trust God when you feel scared or unsure?
• If you could pray for one “superpower” from the Holy Spirit, what would it be and why?

Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you know what the right thing to do is but feel nervous or unsure, take a moment to pray. A simple prayer like “Come Holy Spirit” is all it takes to ask for God’s help. Pause, take a deep breath, and imagine the Holy Spirit filling you with strength and courage. You don’t have to face this moment alone. The Spirit is your helper, and God has promised to give you the power you need to do what’s right.

If you’re still feeling anxious, keep praying. Say “Come Holy Spirit” again, and breathe deeply, like you’re letting that superpower settle into your heart. Do this as many times as you need. The Holy Spirit is always with you, and this simple prayer is a way to remind yourself of God’s presence. Trust that the Spirit will give you the courage to take the next step, even if it feels hard. Then, go forward knowing you are never alone—God is with you, giving you everything you need.

To wrap up, let’s take some time to pray together and invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Prayer is how we stay connected to God, and it’s a powerful way to ask for His guidance and strength. Today, we’re going to pray the Litany of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which helps us reflect on the many ways the Spirit works in our lives. Through this prayer, we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with wisdom, courage, understanding, and all the other gifts we need to follow Jesus.

I will lead the prayer, so listen closely and pray along.

If you’d like, you can take a copy home to pray it again later this week. As we pray, think about which gifts of the Holy Spirit you feel you need most in your life right now. Open your heart and trust that the Spirit will answer. Let’s take this moment to invite God’s superpower into our lives.

You can find a printable copy of the litany at Litany of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Themes

• The Holy Spirit’s Power: The Holy Spirit gives us strength to live as followers of Jesus. This power is not our own but comes from God. It helps us face challenges and live out our faith.
• Pentecost and Courage: At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples courage to spread the Gospel. They faced dangers but trusted in God. We can ask for the same courage in our lives.
• Faith in Action: God calls us to act boldly in our faith. This might mean standing up for others or sharing our beliefs. The Holy Spirit helps us take these steps.
• Praying “Come Holy Spirit”: A simple prayer invites the Holy Spirit into our lives. We can pray this when we feel afraid or unsure. It reminds us that we are not alone.
• God’s Gift of Grace: The Holy Spirit’s power is a gift of grace from God. We don’t earn it, but we receive it through faith. This gift helps us grow closer to Him.
• Living the Great Commission: Jesus sent His disciples to share the Good News. The Holy Spirit made this possible, even in hard times. We are also called to spread His love to others.
• Courage in Everyday Life: We need courage to make good choices and follow Jesus. This could mean helping someone in need or standing up for what is right. The Holy Spirit strengthens us to do these things.
• Trusting in God’s Plan: The disciples trusted Jesus’ promise that they would be clothed with power. They waited for the Holy Spirit in faith. We are also called to trust that God will give us what we need.
• Unity in the Spirit: At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit united people from different nations. This reminds us that the Church is for everyone. The Spirit brings us together as one family in Christ.
• Spreading the Good News: The disciples were empowered to share the Gospel with others. We are called to do the same in our own lives. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to witness to our faith.
• Overcoming Fear: The Holy Spirit helped the disciples face their fears. They were no longer afraid to speak about Jesus. God’s power helps us overcome our fears too.

Background Material

The idea of being “clothed with power” comes directly from Jesus’ words in Luke 24:49: “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit, who empowers His disciples to carry out their mission. This superpower is not from themselves but is a gift from God. It gives them courage, wisdom, and strength to spread the Gospel, even when it’s dangerous or difficult.

This lesson plan focuses on how the Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual superpower. At Pentecost, described in Acts 2, the disciples received the Holy Spirit in a dramatic way. Tongues of fire appeared over their heads, and they spoke in many languages. These signs showed that God’s Spirit had filled them. More importantly, the Holy Spirit gave them the courage to boldly preach about Jesus. Before Pentecost, they were afraid. Afterward, they became fearless witnesses. This same Holy Spirit is with us today, giving us power to live as followers of Christ.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this beautifully in paragraph 1303: “Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation… it renders our bond with the Church more perfect… it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ.” This confirms that the Holy Spirit strengthens us to live boldly and share our faith. It is a superpower that comes from God to help us fulfill our mission.

Catholic teaching also highlights the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit in prayer. Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” This reminds us that we are not alone. When we feel weak, afraid, or unsure, the Holy Spirit is there to guide us and give us strength. A simple prayer like “Come, Holy Spirit” invites the Spirit to work in our lives.

The Holy Spirit’s superpower isn’t just for big moments like Pentecost. It helps us in everyday life. It gives us the courage to stand up for someone who is being bullied. It helps us invite a friend to church or share our faith with others. It strengthens us to make good choices, even when it’s hard. God gives us the power we need to live as His children.

Through this lesson plan, youth will learn that they are not alone in their struggles. The Holy Spirit gives them the superpower to face challenges and live out their faith. They will understand that this gift comes from God, and they can ask for it in prayer. Like the apostles, we can be clothed with power and share the Good News with courage and love.

Music Suggestions

• Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
• Come Holy Spirit by Matt Maher & Martin Smith
• Holy Spirit by Ken Canedo & Jesse Manibusan

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more resources to inspire and guide your youth group? Visit our page Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections. You’ll find free lesson plans and reflections to help teach faith in a way that connects with young people. Perfect for teachers, youth ministers, and catechists, these materials cover a variety of topics to engage and encourage youth in their Catholic faith. Explore the site and find tools to make your ministry more impactful and meaningful.