The Watchman

Being Guardians of Truth

The image of a watchman in Scripture shows us the importance of care and responsibility. A watchman does not only look out for himself. He keeps his eyes open for the sake of others. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, God gives this role to the prophet, asking him to warn people when they are in danger. This activity helps young people see how their choices can guide and protect others in their own lives.

Youth often face moments when they must decide whether to speak up or stay silent. It may be about a friend making poor choices, or someone causing harm with their words or actions. This activity shows that silence is not always kindness. Sometimes real love means having the courage to say something, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Through role-play, young people can step into real situations and think about the cost of action and inaction. They learn that warning a friend is not about judging or condemning but about caring for their well-being. This helps them see their role as guardians of truth in daily life.

By reflecting on the role of the watchman, youth discover how their faith calls them to look out for one another. They begin to understand that responsibility is part of Christian friendship. Speaking up, even when it is difficult, is one way to live out their baptismal call to love and serve others.

Standing Guard with Love

This activity connects deeply with the Bible because it reminds us of our call to speak truth with love. Ezekiel was told to be a watchman for Israel. In the same way, young people are asked to watch over their friends and community. They learn that being silent when someone is making a harmful choice can allow that harm to grow. The Bible shows us that God wants His people to guide each other toward what is good and right.

In Catholic catechesis, this lesson ties to the idea of responsibility for one another. We are not meant to walk alone in faith. The Church teaches that we are the Body of Christ, and every part matters. When one person struggles, the rest of the community is called to help. This activity shows youth how they can live out that teaching by warning, guiding, and encouraging their peers.

For youth ministry, this lesson is very valuable. It takes faith out of theory and puts it into action. Instead of hearing about responsibility in a general way, young people act it out and discuss it together. This helps them see how the message of Scripture applies to their real lives. It gives them the courage to stand guard with love, just as a watchman does.

Directions for the Watchman Activity

Begin by reading Ezekiel 33:7-9 aloud to the whole group.
Divide the youth into small groups of 4–6 participants.
Give each group one scenario. Make sure each group has a different one. (See below for example scenarios.)
Ask the groups to read the scenario together and talk about what they would do. Encourage them to think about the message in Ezekiel.
Allow 10–15 minutes for discussion. Groups may write down their thoughts if it helps.
After time is up, bring everyone back together.
Have each group share their scenario and their ideas about what should be done.
Lead a large group discussion using guiding questions: Why is it important to speak up? What happens if we stay silent? How do we act as watchmen for each other in faith?
Close with a short prayer asking God for courage to speak truth with love.

Additional Notes and Variations

You can add your own scenarios to better fit your group’s real-life experiences.
For younger groups, keep the scenarios simple and short.
For older youth, encourage them to role-play the scenarios instead of only discussing.
Remind participants to respect one another’s ideas and feelings during discussion.
Emphasize that this activity is about care and guidance, not about judging or blaming others.

Watchman Lesson Guide

Age Group
6th–8th grade

Goal
To help youth understand that God calls us to look out for each other, warn with love, and make good choices.

Supplies Needed

Bible
Printed copies of Ezekiel 33:7-9
Printed scenario sheets (one per group)
Paper and pencils or pens
Timer or clock

Time Needed
About 45 minutes

Lesson Plan

Opening Prayer (3 minutes)
Begin with a short prayer asking God for wisdom and courage to speak the truth in love.
Scripture Reading (5 minutes)
Read Ezekiel 33:7-9 aloud. Ask the group: What does it mean to be a watchman?
Small Group Work (15 minutes)
- Divide into groups of 4–6 youth.
- Give each group one scenario.
- Ask them to talk about what they would do in that situation.
- Remind them to think about Ezekiel’s message while they talk.
Large Group Sharing (15 minutes)
- Each group shares their scenario and their answers.
- Guide discussion with simple questions:
  - Why is it important to warn?
  - What happens if we stay silent?
  - How can we be watchmen for friends today?
Wrap-Up and Prayer (7 minutes)
- Summarize: God calls us to care for each other, even when it is hard.
- Invite youth to share one thing they learned.
- Close with prayer.

Scenarios

Alex sees his friend Sarah cheating on a big exam. He knows it is wrong, but he is unsure if he should say something.
Mark finds out his friend Emily is spreading mean rumors about Lily. He cares about both girls but does not know what to do.
Maria overhears Juan talking about skipping school and doing risky things. She worries about him but fears he may get angry.
Chris notices his teammate Michael using substances to play better. He knows this is unhealthy and unfair, but he is unsure how to respond.
Rachel is in a study group. James keeps copying answers instead of doing the work. She is torn about speaking up.
Arthur learns that his younger sibling Jordan is bullying others online. He wants to stop it but is not sure how to help.

Notes for Different Settings

Religious Education: Use this as a full class lesson. Include time for writing short reflections.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Keep the discussion short. Focus on how God calls us to speak with kindness and truth.
Youth Ministry: Let groups act out the scenarios. Add extra time for deeper discussion.
Vacation Bible School (VBS): Keep the activity lively. Use skits or role-play for fun learning.

Resources

Click here to view and print a copy of the Watchman Lesson Guide

Unleashing Creativity: The Power of Creative Activities in Youth Ministry

More Youth Ministry Activities

If you enjoyed this lesson, you will find even more helpful ideas on our youth ministry activities page. It has a wide range of lessons, games, and reflections that connect faith to everyday life. These activities are designed to be simple to use and meaningful for young people in many different settings.

Whether you lead a youth group, religious education class, or Vacation Bible School, our youth ministry activities page can give you fresh ideas to keep your program engaging. Explore the collection and discover new ways to help youth grow in faith, build friendships, and live as followers of Christ.

Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork

The Watchman Over the City

This artwork of the watchman overlooking the city is now available for download on our Catholic resource site. It is a vivid way to highlight the message of Ezekiel 33:7-9 and can be used to support lessons on responsibility and faith.

Perfect for bulletins, newsletters, or teaching materials, it brings the theme of being guardians of truth to life. Add this image to your resources and inspire your community with the call to look out for one another in love.

Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.

Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.

Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of this activity?

The goal is to help youth understand that God calls us to look out for each other. They learn that warning someone with love can guide them to make better choices.

How long does the activity take?

About 45 minutes. You can make it shorter or longer depending on your setting.

What age group is the lesson best for?

It works best with 6th–8th grade youth. They are old enough to think about choices and peer pressure.

Do I need a lot of supplies?

No. You only need a Bible, copies of Ezekiel 33:7-9, printed scenarios, paper, and pencils.

How do I handle sensitive topics in the scenarios?

Remind the youth that these are practice situations. Encourage respect and kindness. If a real-life concern comes up, guide the young person to a trusted adult.

Can I change the scenarios?

Yes. You can write your own to fit the group. Use situations they may face in school, sports, or friendships.

How can I connect this to catechesis?

Tie it to themes like responsibility, love for neighbor, and being part of the Body of Christ. The watchman shows how faith calls us to care for others.

What if some students stay quiet in discussion?

Encourage them with gentle questions. Allow them to write their answers first if that helps. Small groups also make it easier for shy students to share.

Can this be used in different settings like VBS or youth nights?

Yes. In VBS or youth nights, role-play works well. In religious education, more discussion and reflection may fit better.

Standing Watch Together

The Watchman Activity is based on Ezekiel 33:7-9. In this passage, God calls the prophet to be a watchman, someone who warns others of danger. This lesson shows youth how that same call belongs to them today. They learn that silence can allow harm to grow, but speaking with love can help guide friends in the right direction.

Through group scenarios, youth step into real-life situations that are common at school, sports, and online. They face choices about honesty, kindness, and responsibility. The activity invites them to think about what it means to speak up when someone is making poor choices.

The lesson connects well to Catholic teaching about caring for others. We are called to be the Body of Christ, and that means helping one another stay strong in faith. Being a “watchman” is not about judging but about protecting and guiding with love.

This activity is a valuable tool for youth ministry, religious education, or VBS. It gives young people the courage to practice responsibility in a safe space. It also opens the door to talk about friendship, truth, and living faith every day.

Your Turn

Try the Watchman Activity with your youth group, classroom, or parish program. It gives children the chance to think about real choices they face and shows them how faith can guide their actions. The activity is flexible and works well with different ages and settings.

After you use it, share your ideas in the comments. What scenarios worked best for your group? Did you add your own? Your insights can help others who want to teach this lesson. Let’s encourage one another as we guide young people to speak the truth with love.