Laborers in the Field

Facilitator instructions: The “Spread the Good News” game is a fun twist on the telephone game. Have the group stand or sit in a circle. Whisper a short evangelization message, like “Jesus loves you and calls you His friend,” into the ear of the first person. That person repeats the message to the next, and so on, until it reaches the last person, who says the message out loud. Often the final version is very different from the original!

Play a few rounds with different messages. For full directions and message ideas, see the link to the complete instructions: Spread the Good News Game Instructions.

Now that we’ve played, let’s think about what this game teaches us. When we passed the message around the circle, sometimes it came out clear, but other times it got a little mixed up. This reminds us of what can happen when we share the Gospel. If we are not careful or clear, people may not understand what we are trying to say. Evangelization is about communicating God’s love in a way that others can really hear and understand.

The game also shows us that challenges will come up. Maybe someone misheard a word, or maybe they added something extra that wasn’t part of the original message. In the same way, when we talk about faith, there can be misunderstandings. People might hear something different from what we meant, or they might have questions we didn’t expect. That’s okay. The important thing is to keep trying, to listen well, and to speak with kindness.

Finally, this game reminds us that evangelization can be joyful. We probably laughed a little when the message came out funny at the end. Sharing the Gospel should not feel like a burden or something scary. It can be filled with joy, humor, and lightness. When people see our happiness, they are drawn closer to God. Evangelization is serious in its purpose, but it can still be shared with joy and even fun.

• How did the “Spread the Good News” game highlight the importance of clear communication when sharing the Gospel with others?
• What were some of the challenges or misunderstandings that arose during the game, and how can we apply what we learned to our evangelization efforts?
• In what ways can we ensure that we are communicating the Gospel message effectively, and how can we overcome any barriers to clear communication?
• How can we use the skills and lessons we learned during the game to share our faith confidently and effectively with others?
• Why is it important to have a sense of humor and not take ourselves too seriously when it comes to evangelization, and how can we incorporate fun and joy into our efforts to spread the Good News?

Read Matthew 9:36-10:8 – the Gospel for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

When we hear the Gospel reading from Matthew 9:36-10:8, we notice right away how much compassion Jesus has for the people around Him. He looks at the crowd and sees that they are tired, lost, and confused. He compares them to sheep without a shepherd.

That image is important for us to think about. Sheep need someone to guide them, protect them, and help them find food and safety. Without a shepherd, they wander, and sometimes they even get into danger. In the same way, many people in our world today are wandering without direction. They may not know the love of God, or they may have never really heard the message of the Gospel.

Jesus reminds us that there are so many people in need, but very few people who are willing to go out and share the Good News with them. That is why He calls His disciples, and that is why He calls us.

Jesus sends His disciples out with a mission. He does not tell them to sit quietly or to wait for people to come to them. He tells them to go out, to speak, and to act. He asks them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.

These are big instructions, and they show us that being a follower of Jesus means doing bold things. Now, most of us will not literally raise someone from the dead or heal with a touch like the apostles did. But we can still bring life and healing to people around us in many ways.

When we encourage a friend who feels hopeless, when we forgive someone who has hurt us, or when we pray for someone in need, we are taking part in the same mission. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every witness to our faith is part of the work of being a laborer in the field.

It is also important to remember that evangelization is not just about talking. It is about showing God’s love through the way we live. Words matter, but actions speak loudly too. If we tell people that God loves them but then act in ways that are mean or selfish, our words will not mean very much.

But if we live in a way that shows kindness, forgiveness, and joy, people will notice. They will see something different in us and may want to know where that comes from. That is the moment when we can share our faith clearly and invite them to know Jesus. Evangelization is about living with compassion and making sure that our actions match the message we share.

Sometimes this mission can feel scary. It is not always easy to speak about our faith. We might worry about what people will think. We might wonder if they will laugh at us, ignore us, or ask questions we cannot answer. These are real fears, but Jesus tells us not to let fear stop us.

The apostles also had doubts and weaknesses, yet Jesus still sent them out. He promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them and give them the words they needed. The same is true for us today. When we step out of our comfort zones and take a chance, the Holy Spirit works through us.

It may be something small, like inviting a friend to youth group, praying before meals in public, or talking about how our faith helped us through a hard time. Even little steps matter, because they show courage and open doors for God to work.

Being laborers in the field is not just a nice idea. It is a call that Jesus gives each one of us. Our world needs healing. There are people who feel abandoned, hurt, or forgotten. There are people who think they have no purpose. We are sent to bring hope and to show them that God cares.

You may think you are too young, too busy, or not good enough to do this. But Jesus chose ordinary people as His disciples—fishermen, a tax collector, regular men who made mistakes. He chose them and sent them, and He chooses you too. You do not have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.

In the end, the mission of evangelization is about trust. We trust that God will work through us. We trust that our small efforts matter. And we trust that we are never alone. God is with us every step of the way. So as you think about this Gospel and your own life, remember this: the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.

Will you be one of the laborers? Will you say yes to the call of Jesus and take part in the mission to share His love? If you do, you will find that your own faith will grow stronger, and you will see how God can use you to change lives. That is what it means to be a laborer in the field.

When the youth move into small groups, remind them that this is a time to listen to one another and share honestly. Encourage them to respect each person’s thoughts and not interrupt. There are no right or wrong answers, so they should feel free to speak from the heart. Remind them to keep the focus on how the Gospel connects to their own lives. After everyone has had a chance to share, invite the group to choose one or two insights to bring back to the larger gathering.

• How do you think Jesus feels when He looks at the people of our world today?
• What does it mean to you personally to be a laborer in the field?
• Have you ever seen or experienced an act of kindness that made you think of God’s love?
• What are some simple ways you can share your faith with your friends or family?
• What fears or challenges keep you from talking about your faith, and how can you overcome them?
• How can you show compassion to someone in your life who may feel lost or alone?
• Why do you think Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, and what does that teach us about working together in faith?
• How might stepping out of your comfort zone help you grow closer to God?

Let’s take this lesson and put it into action. Think about one person in your life who might need to hear about God’s love. It could be a friend who is struggling, a family member who has drifted away from the Church, or even someone you see at school who seems lonely.

Your challenge this week is to reach out to that person. You don’t have to preach or have all the answers. Start with something simple, like inviting them to come to Mass, youth group, or even just letting them know you are praying for them. Sometimes a small step can open the door to a deeper conversation about faith.

Remember, evangelization is not about forcing anyone to believe. It is about sharing what God has done in your life in a kind and respectful way. You might tell a short story about how prayer helped you during a tough time, or how being part of the Church gives you strength. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide your words and actions.

Be brave, be gentle, and above all, be real. When you share your faith with love and sincerity, you are truly being a laborer in the field.

Let’s take a quiet moment together and place ourselves in God’s presence. Close your eyes if you’d like, and take a deep breath. Remember that God is here with us, listening to our hearts.

Loving Father, we thank You for calling us to be laborers in Your field. You see the people around us who are searching, and You send us to share Your love with them. Give us courage to speak when we feel nervous, and give us kindness to act with compassion. Help us to remember that even small acts can show others who You are.

Lord Jesus, just as You sent out the disciples, send us out too. Guide us when we don’t know what to say. Strengthen us when we feel weak. Remind us that we are never alone, because You are always by our side.

Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with joy as we go out into the world. Help us to be lights for others, shining with the love of Christ. Bless our families, our friends, and the people we will meet this week. May everything we do bring glory to God.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Themes

• Call to Evangelize: Jesus sends His disciples to share the Good News, and He calls us to do the same. We are asked to tell others about God’s love. This is part of living as His followers.
• Compassion for Others: Jesus looks at the crowd with pity, showing His care for people in need. We are asked to see others with the same kindness. Compassion moves us to action.
• Mission of the Church: The work of evangelization is central to the Church. Every baptized person shares in this mission. We are invited to take part in it daily.
• Power of the Gospel: The message of Jesus brings healing and hope. It can change lives when shared clearly. Our job is to pass it on with joy.
• Trust in the Holy Spirit: The disciples could not do their mission alone. God gave them strength and guidance. We also depend on the Spirit when we share our faith.
• Everyday Witness: Sharing faith is not just about big events. It happens in small conversations and daily choices. People see Christ through how we live.
• Overcoming Fear: Talking about faith can feel hard. Jesus encourages us to be brave and take risks. Trust in Him helps us move past fear.
• Joy in Sharing: Evangelization should bring joy, not stress. Smiles, laughter, and kindness help others feel God’s love. People are drawn to faith when they see our joy.
• Living as Disciples: To follow Jesus means to live differently. Our words and actions should reflect His teaching. This makes our witness real.
• Building Community: Evangelization is not done alone. Jesus sent His disciples in pairs, showing the importance of working together. We support one another in this mission.
• Giving Freely: Jesus told His disciples to give without cost. What we have received from God is a gift. We are asked to share it freely with others.

Background Material

Evangelization has always been at the heart of the Catholic faith. From the moment Jesus called His first disciples, He gave them the mission to go out and share the Good News. In Matthew 9:36-10:8, we see this very clearly. Jesus looks at the people with compassion because they are like sheep without a shepherd. He tells His disciples that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Then He sends them out to proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is near. This mission is not only for the first apostles. It continues for us today.

The Bible is filled with reminders that sharing the faith is part of following Jesus. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive power from the Holy Spirit and become His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Saint Paul also speaks about this in his letters. In Romans 10:14, he asks how people can believe in Christ if no one tells them about Him. Evangelization is the way God’s message reaches people’s hearts. It is through our words and actions that others come to know the love of Jesus.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also teaches us about this mission. It says, “The witness of a Christian life and good works done in a supernatural spirit have great power to draw men to the faith and to God.” (CCC 2044). This means that being Catholic is not only about what we believe privately. It is also about how we live and how we share our faith with others. We are called to be witnesses of Christ in the world. This lesson plan helps young people understand and practice that call in their own lives.

Evangelization is more than speaking. It also includes showing God’s love through service, compassion, and kindness. Jesus told His disciples to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. These acts showed that the message of God’s Kingdom was real. In the same way, our actions can open hearts to the Gospel. When we forgive, encourage, or help those in need, we are showing the love of Christ. Evangelization is about both words and deeds.

The Church has always seen evangelization as its mission. Pope Paul VI wrote in Evangelii Nuntiandi that the Church “exists in order to evangelize.” This means the Church is not only about worship and teaching within its walls. It is also about going out into the world to share the hope of the Gospel. Every Catholic, no matter their age, has a role in this mission. Young people are especially important because they can share faith with their peers in ways that are natural and authentic.

The Laborers in the Field Evangelization Lesson Plan fits perfectly into this Catholic teaching. It takes the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel and helps youth see how they apply today. It encourages them to recognize the needs of others, to trust in the Holy Spirit, and to step out in courage. By practicing evangelization in small and simple ways, they learn what it means to live as true disciples of Christ. This lesson is one way to form young Catholics who are ready to be the laborers Jesus spoke about, bringing hope and joy to the world.

Music Suggestions

• “Come With Me Into the Fields” by Dan Schutte
• “A Rightful Place” by Steve Angrisano
• “Cry the Gospel” by Tom Booth
• “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte
• “Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective
• “My Story” by Big Daddy Weave
• “Go Out Go Out” by Curtis Stephan