Keys to Leadership Activity

This activity ties closely to the story of Peter in Matthew 16. Peter’s faith in Jesus became the rock on which the Church was built. In the same way, youth are invited to see how their own choices and faith can build up their communities. By practicing leadership, they learn that strong foundations come from trust in God and the courage to follow His call.

Catholic catechesis often teaches that leadership is service. Jesus showed this when He washed the feet of His disciples. The scenarios in this activity help youth see leadership as more than making decisions. It is about caring for others, seeking the common good, and putting faith into action. This connects the lessons of the Gospel to real life.

For youth ministry, the activity creates a space where faith and life meet. It gives young people a safe way to practice skills they will use in school, parish, and future work. It shows them that Catholic teaching is not only about learning doctrine but about living it out. This makes faith active, engaging, and connected to their everyday choices.

Materials Needed

• Bibles or printed copies of Matthew 16:13-20
• Paper, pens, or pencils
• Whiteboard, chalkboard, or large sheets of paper
• Markers or chalk
• Chairs arranged for group discussion

Directions

1. Begin by reading Matthew 16:13-20 aloud.
2. Divide participants into small groups. Try to mix different ages and personalities.
3. Give each group a scenario about a leadership challenge. You may choose from the list provided or create your own.
4. Provide paper or a whiteboard for each group to take notes and brainstorm ideas.
5. Ask groups to discuss their scenario. Encourage them to listen carefully, share ideas, and work toward a decision together.
6. After group time, gather everyone back together.
7. Have each group share the main points of their discussion and their final decision.
8. As a large group, talk about what was learned. Connect the discussion back to Peter’s role as a leader in the scripture passage.
9. Emphasize how faith, listening, and humility are part of leadership.

Additional Notes

• If the group is small, do the activity together instead of dividing into groups.
• Keep the scenarios age-appropriate and relevant to the youth’s own experiences.
• Encourage respect for all voices in the group. Remind participants to take turns and avoid talking over others.
• For safety, be mindful of physical activities if included in a scenario. Make sure the setting is safe and supervised.
• To add variety, you can let groups act out their solutions as a short skit instead of just reporting back.

Scenario Examples

These are just examples. Feel free to use relevant examples related to what is happening in your community.

• Team Building Dilemma: The youth group is planning a team-building event. Some members want a physical challenge, while others prefer a creative workshop. The decision could affect team cohesion and engagement.
• Social Justice Initiative: The group is passionate about addressing a social issue. They must decide between organizing a peaceful protest or a community awareness campaign. This scenario delves into ethical decision-making and community impact.
• Music Selection: The youth group is responsible for selecting the music for Mass. They must choose between a traditional format and a contemporary approach. This scenario explores the balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation.
• Charity Allocation Challenge: The group has raised funds for charity and must decide which organization to support. Each charity serves a different cause, prompting participants to weigh the impact of their choice on different communities.
• Youth Leadership Retreat: The group is tasked with planning a leadership retreat for their peers. They must decide between a local retreat focusing on skill-building and a larger regional retreat centered on networking and inspiration.
• Virtual Event Innovation: The group wants to organize a virtual event. They need to choose between a traditional webinar-style event and an interactive virtual game night. This scenario navigates the challenges of engaging an online audience.
• Eco-Friendly Initiative: The group is enthusiastic about launching an eco-friendly initiative. They need to choose between implementing recycling programs or promoting sustainable practices. This scenario touches on responsible decision-making for the environment.
• Community Service Focus: The group aims to engage in community service. They must decide whether to focus on local needs, such as food drives, or broader issues, like international disaster relief. This scenario explores balancing local impact with global concerns.
• Youth Group Leadership Structure: The youth group is restructuring its leadership roles. They need to decide between a hierarchical structure and a more collaborative approach. This scenario delves into leadership styles and group dynamics.
• Spiritual Retreat Theme: The group is planning a spiritual retreat. They must choose between a theme of self-discovery and reflection or a theme of community and togetherness. This scenario delves into the deeper purpose of spiritual gatherings.

Lesson Plan for Grades 6-8

Supplies

• Bibles or copies of Matthew 16:13-20
• Paper and pencils
• Whiteboard or large paper
• Markers
• Chairs for small groups

Timeline
5 minutes – Opening prayer and scripture reading
10 minutes – Introduction to leadership and Peter’s story
20 minutes – Group activity with scenarios
15 minutes – Sharing and discussion
10 minutes – Reflection and closing prayer

Lesson Steps

1. Begin with a short prayer asking God to guide the group in learning about leadership.
2. Read Matthew 16:13-20 together. Ask the children what stands out to them in the reading.
3. Explain that Peter was given a special role of leadership because of his faith. Tell them that today they will practice leadership in their own way.
4. Divide into small groups. Give each group a scenario about a leadership challenge. Provide paper and markers for notes.
5. Let each group talk about their scenario. Encourage listening, respect, and teamwork.
6. Bring the groups back together. Have each group share what they decided and how they worked together.
7. Lead a short discussion. Ask questions such as: What was hard? What was easy? How did you listen to each other? How did you make choices that help everyone?
8. Connect their answers back to Peter. Explain that like Peter, their faith can guide their choices.
9. End with a short reflection. Invite each child to think of one way they can be a leader at home, school, or church.
10. Close with prayer, thanking God for the gift of leadership and asking for courage to use it well.

This lesson can be used in religious education, children’s liturgy of the word, youth ministry, VBS, or other settings. It works because it is active, simple, and rooted in scripture.