Hello. This Is Jesus

Party Circle Icebreaker

As the facilitator, explain to the group that this Party Circle Icebreaker is about having fun and making connections. Choose one person to act as “The Host.” The host will start by introducing themselves to another participant with a handshake, wave, or another creative greeting. That person then becomes the new host and repeats the process, keeping the introductions moving around the circle.

Encourage everyone to get silly with their greetings, and after the chain of introductions is complete, mix it up by asking participants to move around in a new way—maybe skipping, walking backward, or moving with funny steps. This keeps the energy high and ensures lots of laughter.

You can find the full step-by-step instructions here.

Now that we’ve played this game, let’s think about what just happened. We got to greet each other, shake hands, and share our names. Even though it was lighthearted, those introductions connected us. They helped us remember that each person in the group matters, and each person has a name and a presence that we recognize.

In the same way, think about how we introduce Jesus to others. Just like you gave your name during the game, what would you say if you were asked to introduce Jesus? How would you describe Him to a friend who has never met Him? Would you focus on His kindness? His love? The way He has worked in your own life?

This is what today’s lesson is all about. As we laughed and met each other in the circle, we got a taste of how introductions work. Now we will take that same idea and go deeper. Instead of just saying our names, we will think about how to speak about Jesus. This isn’t just about words—it’s about sharing who He is to us and how He is part of our lives. So let’s carry that spirit of connection into the next part of our time together.

Matthew 16:13-20 (Jesus asks about who people think he is) – the Gospel Reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Matthew 16:13-20

Let’s think for a moment about how Peter answered Jesus. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter didn’t hesitate. He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That was a clear, strong answer. Peter wasn’t just guessing. He knew who Jesus was, and he trusted in Him completely. If you had been standing there listening, you would have understood right away how close Peter was to Jesus and how much faith he had.

Now imagine if Jesus asked you the same question today. How would you answer? What words would you use? If you introduced Jesus to one of your friends, what would they think? Maybe they would be surprised by your answer. Maybe they would be confused and ask more questions. Or maybe they would say, “I knew that already about you and your faith.” Each reaction tells us something important. When we talk about Jesus, people notice. They see what He means to us. That is part of how we share our faith.

Here’s the big question: who is Jesus really? Lots of people in history had opinions about Him. Some said He was a prophet, like Elijah or Jeremiah. Others thought He was John the Baptist come back to life. But the Church teaches us that Jesus is much more than that. Jesus is everything that God wants to say to the world. The whole Old Testament points to Him. All of God’s promises—every story, every law, every prophecy—find their meaning in Him. That is why we call Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God.

Being a Christian means more than just saying we believe in Jesus. It means uniting ourselves with Him. That means connecting our lives to His life. It means trying to see the world as He sees it, to love as He loves, and to trust in the Father as He trusted. This is what Peter discovered, and it changed his whole life. When you begin to answer for yourself, “Who is Jesus?” it can also change your life.

But let’s be honest. God can feel hard to understand. He is infinite. Our human minds can’t fully wrap around Him. That can feel overwhelming at times. But this is why Jesus matters so much. In Jesus, God makes Himself known in a way we can understand. When we look at Jesus, we see God’s love in action. When we hear His words, we hear God’s voice. When we watch how He treated people, we see God’s heart.

Think about it like this: if you want to get to know a new friend, you don’t just read facts about them. You spend time together. You talk, you laugh, you share experiences. That is how friendship grows. The same is true with Jesus. If you want to know Him, you have to spend time with Him. That might be in prayer, in reading the Bible, in going to Mass, or even in quiet moments when you tell Him what’s on your heart.

Jesus wants this relationship with you. He wants you to know how much God loves you. He wants you to see that God is not far away, but close, right here in your life. That’s why prayer matters. That’s why worship matters. That’s why talking about Jesus matters. Because when we do those things, our friendship with Him grows stronger.

So here is your challenge: answer the question for yourself. If someone asked you today, “Who is Jesus to you?” what would you say? Take some time to think about it. Maybe write it down. Maybe share it with a friend. And remember, there is no “perfect” answer, because this is about your relationship with Him. Just be honest. Be real.

Like Peter, you can be confident. You don’t have to have everything figured out to believe. What matters most is that you know Jesus is the Son of God, and that you are willing to follow Him. From there, He will guide you, step by step, into a deeper friendship with Him. And as you grow closer to Jesus, others will notice. They will see His light in you. And when that happens, you will be introducing Jesus to the world, not just with your words, but with your life.

When the youth move into small groups, encourage them to be honest and respectful in their sharing. Remind them that everyone’s relationship with Jesus is personal and unique. There are no wrong answers, only opportunities to reflect and learn from one another. Ask them to listen carefully to each other and give everyone a chance to speak.

• Who is Jesus to you right now in your life?
• What are some ways you like to spend time with Jesus?
• How do you feel when you talk about Jesus with your friends or family?
• If someone asked you who Jesus is, what would you say?
• What are the most important things you think others should know about Him?
• How do you notice Jesus working in your daily life?
• What is one way you could grow closer to Jesus this week?
• How could you share Jesus with someone else in a simple and real way?

This week, your challenge is to make time to be with Jesus in a real and personal way. Just like any friendship, the more time you spend together, the stronger it becomes. Try setting aside a few minutes each day to talk to Him in prayer. You can tell Him about your day, your worries, or even your joys. You could also open your Bible and read a short passage, asking, “What does this show me about who Jesus is?” These simple steps help you know Him better and remind you that He is always near.

Another way to live out this lesson is to show someone else a little piece of who Jesus is. Maybe that means doing a kind act for someone who really needs it, like sitting with a person who feels left out, helping at home without being asked, or encouraging a friend who’s having a hard time. You could even share a small part of your faith by saying something like, “I’ll pray for you” when someone tells you their struggles. These actions introduce others to Jesus through your words and deeds, and they help you live as His friend in everyday life.

As we finish our time together, let’s turn our hearts fully to Jesus in prayer. We’ve spent this lesson thinking about who He is and how we can share Him with others. Now we will pray the Litany of the Names of Jesus. Each name shows us something about His love and His presence in our lives. As we pray, listen for the name that speaks to you most today. Let that be a reminder of how Jesus is walking with you right now.

I will say the name of Jesus or one of His titles. After each one, you will respond together with the words given. Let’s lift our voices as one, asking Jesus to guide us and stay close to us.

(See a printable copy of the Litany of the Names of Jesus here.)

Lord, have mercy … Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy … Christ, have mercy.
Hear our prayer … hear our prayer.

Jesus Christ … hear our prayer.
Beloved Son of God … hear our prayer.
The Great I Am … hear our prayer.
King of Kings … hear our prayer.
Bread of Life … hear our prayer.
Splendor of the Father … hear our prayer.

Lord of All … have mercy on us.
Son of the Living God … have mercy on us.
Sign and Contradiction … have mercy on us.
Beloved Teacher … have mercy on us.

Mighty Deliverer … save your people.
Emmanuel … save your people.
Light of the World … save your people.
Prince of Peace … save your people.
Holy Redeemer … save your people.
King of Glory … save your people.

Good Shepherd … lead us to the Father.
Alpha and Omega … lead us to the Father.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life … lead us to the Father.
Word Made Flesh … lead us to the Father.
Meek and Humble of Heart … lead us to the Father.
One True Light … lead us to the Father.

Lamb of God … take away our sins.
Lamb of God … grant us peace.
Hear our prayer … hear our prayer.

Jesus, we thank You for being with us. Stay close to us this week. Help us to grow in our friendship with You and to show Your love to others. Amen.

Themes

• Knowing Jesus Personally: Faith is not just about learning facts. It is about knowing Jesus as a friend. This lesson helps youth see their relationship with Him as real and alive.
• Sharing Faith with Others: Talking about Jesus can feel hard, but this lesson gives practice. Youth learn to put faith into their own words. This makes sharing Jesus natural and simple.
• Scripture as Guide: The Gospel story shows how Peter answered Jesus. Youth see how the Bible speaks to their own lives. It helps them reflect on who Jesus is to them today.
• The Church’s Teaching: The lesson connects to what the Church teaches about Jesus. He is the Son of God and the fulfillment of God’s promises. This shows youth that their faith is part of something bigger.
• Prayer as Friendship: Spending time with Jesus helps us know Him better. Youth are reminded that prayer is conversation with a friend. This makes prayer feel simple and personal.
• Living Faith Daily: Faith is not just for church. It is lived out in school, sports, and friendships. This lesson shows how small actions can reflect Jesus.
• Confidence in Faith: Peter answered Jesus with courage. Youth are invited to do the same. This helps them grow stronger in their faith.
• Jesus Reveals God: God can be hard to understand. In Jesus, we see God’s love in action. This helps youth understand God’s closeness.
• Building Community: The icebreaker and sharing help youth connect. They see that faith is lived together. This creates a sense of belonging.
• Witness through Actions: Words matter, but actions also show faith. Acts of kindness and care introduce others to Jesus. Youth see that their choices can make Him known.
• Answering Jesus’ Question: Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Each person must respond. This lesson gives space to answer in a personal way.

Background Material

This lesson plan, “Hello. This Is Jesus,” invites youth to think about their personal relationship with Jesus and how they would share Him with others. It connects directly with Catholic teaching because the heart of our faith is knowing Christ and making Him known. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This question is still asked of every believer today. When young people reflect on this question, they begin to see their faith as personal and alive.

In Scripture, Peter gives a clear answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This confession is the foundation of the Church. Jesus tells Peter that this truth was revealed by the Father and that on this rock He would build His Church. The Catechism explains, “Because of the faith he confessed Peter will remain the unshakable rock of the Church. His mission will be to keep this faith from every lapse and to strengthen his brothers in it.” (CCC 552).

The Church also reminds us that God shows Himself most fully in Jesus. The Letter to the Hebrews says, “In these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). God spoke through prophets and signs in the Old Testament, but in Jesus, He speaks in a complete way. The Catechism tells us, “In Jesus Christ, the whole of God’s truth has been made manifest” (CCC 2466). When youth are invited to describe Jesus in their own words, they are practicing how to share the truth of God’s love.

Knowing Jesus is more than knowledge. It is relationship. The Gospel of John shows Jesus saying, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14). This personal knowing is what prayer and discipleship are about. Young people are called to spend time with Jesus, just as they would with a close friend. This lesson plan encourages them to think about prayer, worship, and daily choices as ways to stay connected with Him.

Sharing Jesus with others is also part of Catholic life. Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The Church calls all Christians to be witnesses. The Catechism states, “Those who belong to Christ through faith and Baptism must confess their baptismal faith before men.” (CCC 14). When youth imagine introducing Jesus to a friend, they are beginning to live out this mission in a simple and real way.

This lesson also reflects the teaching that faith grows in community. We do not answer Jesus’ question alone. We belong to the Church, the Body of Christ. As youth hear each other’s introductions, they see the many ways Jesus is alive in people’s lives. This strengthens their faith and helps them understand the richness of the Catholic community.

In short, this lesson plan fits Catholic teaching by guiding youth to answer the most important question: Who is Jesus? It helps them see Him as Savior, Friend, and Son of God. It draws from Scripture, the Catechism, and the life of the Church. It invites them to know Jesus more deeply and to share Him with others in word and action.

Music Suggestions

• Jesus Christ You Are My Life by Marco Frisina
• King of My Heart by Greg Walton
• What a Friend by Matt Maher
• I Will Choose Christ by Tom Booth
• Remain in Me, I Am the Vine by Curtis Stephan and Steve Angrisano
• Shine Jesus Shine by Graham Kendrick