Follow That Star

Start the Epiphany Lesson Plan with the game “Lost on a Deserted Island.” In this activity, youth decide what they can’t live without. For full instructions, visit Lost on a Deserted Island.

Follow up with a few questions:

• Was it hard to choose just one item?
• Did you want to pick something else after thinking it over?
• Were you surprised by anyone’s choice?

While getting stranded on a deserted island isn’t likely, we do sometimes have to decide what’s important to us.

Imagine this scenario: Your family announces a summer-long adventure, traveling across the country. You can only bring what fits in a large duffle bag, including clothes, toiletries, electronics, books, and games.

• How would you feel about this plan?
• What would you pack?
• How would you decide how many clothes to bring versus other items?
• What would be hard to leave behind?
• Is there anything you want to take but is too big?

Read the Gospel:

Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi Visit the Child Jesus) – the Gospel Reading for the The Epiphany of the Lord

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

Matthew 2:1-12

Think about the Magi for a minute. These were wise men who traveled a long distance from the East just to see the baby Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say how long their journey took, but it must have been hard and it must have taken a lot of time. They had to leave behind their homes, their routines, and probably the people they loved. They didn’t know exactly what they would find. But they followed the star because they believed something great was waiting for them at the end.

Now think about your own life. What would it feel like to leave behind your phone, your favorite hobbies, or even your friends for a while? That’s kind of what the Magi did. They gave up things they cared about to chase after something even more important. They remind us that sometimes we have to give up good things to discover something better. That’s not always easy. But in life, the best things often come when we take risks and trust that the journey is worth it.

The Magi didn’t have all the answers when they started. They didn’t have GPS or a map. They didn’t know exactly where the star would lead. But they believed it would take them to someone special. That takes a lot of faith. It’s kind of like when you set a big goal—maybe trying out for a team, applying for a scholarship, or making a new friend. You don’t know how it will turn out, but you keep going because something inside you says it matters. The Magi kept going because they believed the journey had a purpose.

Trying something new can feel scary. Maybe you’re thinking about joining a new club or starting a new class. Or maybe you’ve been wanting to talk to someone who seems lonely or left out. You don’t know what will happen, but something tells you it’s the right thing to do. That’s the kind of faith the Magi had. They were willing to face the unknown because they believed God was leading them somewhere good.

The Magi definitely had problems along the way. They probably got tired. Maybe they got lost or had to deal with rough weather. And let’s not forget Herod. He tried to trick them and use them for his own plans. But the Magi stayed focused. They didn’t give up. They kept their eyes on the star, and they made it to Jesus. That’s a big reminder for us too. Life is full of challenges—school stress, family problems, peer pressure. But like the Magi, we can choose to keep going, even when it’s hard.

Sometimes, we want to take shortcuts. Maybe we’re tempted to cheat on a test or lie to make things easier. Maybe we just want to quit when things get tough. But the Magi didn’t take shortcuts. They followed the path God set for them. For us, that path might be our faith, our values, or our dreams. It’s not always the easy road. But it’s the right one. When we stay on the right path, even when it’s hard, we grow stronger and wiser.

The Magi also had to deal with someone who didn’t have good intentions—King Herod. He tried to use them for his own selfish goals. We all face people like that. There will always be people who try to pull us away from what’s right. But the Magi were smart. They listened to God and avoided Herod. That shows us how important it is to be wise and stay true to our values. Don’t let others lead you away from what you know is good and true.

And think about what the Magi brought with them. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—these were valuable gifts. They didn’t show up empty-handed. They gave Jesus their best. We may not have gold or fancy gifts to offer, but we do have our time, our talents, and our love. We can give those things to God and to others. Helping a friend, using your gifts to serve, spending time with someone who needs it—these are real ways to honor Jesus today.

The Magi kept their focus. They didn’t let distractions pull them off course. Today, it’s easy to lose focus. Social media, peer pressure, and the latest trends are always trying to grab your attention. But just like the Magi followed the star, we need to keep our eyes on what really matters. That might be your faith, your relationships, or your personal goals. When we stay focused, we’re more likely to reach the good things we’re looking for.

Finally, the Magi put in their best effort. They didn’t know how long the trip would take or what they’d find at the end. But they gave it their all. That’s something to think about in your own life. Whether it’s school, sports, friendships, or faith, putting in your best effort matters. Even when things are hard, staying committed helps you grow and move forward.

You’re on a journey too, just like the Magi. You might not be following a star in the sky, but you are looking for meaning and purpose. The story of the Magi shows that it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters is that you keep going, keep trusting, and keep looking for Jesus in your life.

When breaking into small groups, remind youth that this is a space to share honestly and listen respectfully. No one has to talk if they don’t want to, but everyone should feel safe to speak if they choose. Encourage teens to reflect on their own lives and how the story of the Magi connects to their experiences. Let the conversation flow, but help keep it focused on the main ideas of the lesson.

• What is something important you’ve had to give up or leave behind to do something better?
• Have you ever felt unsure about where your life was headed, but kept going anyway? What helped you?
• What are some “stars” in your life—people, goals, or values—that help guide your choices?
• What are some challenges that make it hard to stay on the right path?
• Have you ever faced someone like Herod—someone who tried to lead you in the wrong direction? How did you handle it?
• What is one way you can give your time, gifts, or effort to God or others this week?
• What distractions make it hard for you to focus on what really matters?
• What do you think it means to “follow your star” today as a teen?
• Do you believe your journey has a purpose, even if you don’t see it yet? Why or why not?
• What part of the Magi’s story stood out to you the most, and why?

Your challenge this week is to follow your star. That means choosing one thing that helps guide you closer to Jesus and sticking with it, even when it’s not easy. Maybe it’s making time for prayer each day, being kind to someone who needs a friend, or just staying honest when it’s tempting to take shortcuts. Like the Magi, you don’t need to know how everything will turn out—you just need to take the next step with faith.

Here are a few ways to live this out. First, take five minutes each day this week to talk to God about your journey—what’s hard, what’s good, and what you’re hoping for. Second, pick one thing you can give up this week to make space for something better—maybe less screen time so you can focus more on family or faith. Third, look for someone who might feel left out and include them. Small steps can lead to big changes.

Finish the Epiphany Lesson Plan by praying St. Anselm’s Prayer, which expresses a desire to align our will with God’s will. See a printable copy of the prayer.

O my God teach my heart where and how to seek you,
where and how to find you…

You are my God and you are my All and I have never seen you.
You have made me and remade me,
You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess,
Still I do not know you…

I have not yet done that for which I was made….

Teach me to seek you…

I cannot seek you unless you teach me
or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you.

Themes

• Journey of faith: The Magi followed the star without knowing exactly where it would lead. This reminds us that our faith journey is not always clear, but we trust God. We are called to follow Him, even when the path is hard.
• Sacrifice for Christ: The Magi left behind comfort and safety to seek Jesus. We are also asked to give up things for the sake of our faith. This helps us grow closer to God.
• Trust in God: The Magi believed the star would lead them to someone special. They followed it with hope, not certainty. We are called to trust God, even when we don’t have all the answers.
• Perseverance in trials: The Magi likely faced danger and setbacks, but they kept going. We are called to do the same in hard times. Faith gives us the strength to keep moving forward.
• Giving our best: The Magi brought valuable gifts to Jesus. We can offer our time, talents, and love to God. What we give from the heart matters most.
• Discernment and wisdom: The Magi were careful not to fall for Herod’s lies. We must be wise in choosing who to follow and what voices to trust. Staying close to God helps us make good choices.
• Guidance of God: The star guided the Magi to Jesus. God gives us light through prayer, Scripture, and the Church. We just need to follow His lead.
• Seeking the truth: The Magi were not satisfied until they found Jesus. We are called to search for truth and meaning in our lives. Jesus is the truth we seek.
• Following God’s call: The Magi answered a call that took them far from home. We are also called to live with purpose and direction. God has a plan for each of us.
• Resisting worldly pressure: Herod tried to use the Magi for his own goals. They chose God’s way instead. We are often pressured by the world, but we must choose what is right.
• Jesus for all people: The Magi were Gentiles, not Jews. This shows that Jesus came for everyone. The Church welcomes all who seek Him.

Background Material

The story of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12 shows how God reaches out to all people. The Magi were not Jews. They were Gentiles from the East. But they were still drawn to Jesus by the light of a star. This reminds us that Jesus came for the whole world. He is not only the Savior of Israel. He is the Savior for everyone who seeks Him with an open heart.

This fits with what the Church teaches about the universal call to salvation. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart… may achieve eternal salvation” (CCC 847). The Magi show us this truth. They followed what light they had, and it led them to Jesus. They remind us that God can work through many ways to call people to Himself.

Their journey symbolizes the search for truth and the willingness to seek God. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see that the Magi did not belong to the Jewish faith, yet they recognized the significance of Jesus’ birth. This story aligns with the Catholic teaching that God’s salvation is offered to all humanity, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): “The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world” (CCC 528). This universal call to salvation is a central theme in Catholicism.

This story also helps us reflect on how God speaks to us. The Magi were guided by a star. Today, we are guided by Scripture, the Church, and the Holy Spirit. God’s light still shines. We just have to look for it and be willing to follow. Sometimes the way is not easy, but God is faithful.

The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not just random presents. They were meaningful. Gold honored Jesus as king. Frankincense pointed to His divinity. Myrrh was used in burial and pointed to His sacrifice. This shows how the Magi recognized something holy about the child they visited. Their journey and their gifts remind us that we, too, are called to give our best to God.

The journey of the Magi also reflects what it means to live as a disciple. It takes effort, sacrifice, and trust. Like the Magi, we may face troubles or be tempted to give up. But we are called to stay the course. The Magi followed the star until they found Jesus. We are invited to follow Jesus every day, even when the path is not clear.

The Magi listened to a dream that warned them not to return to Herod. They were open to God’s message and obeyed it. This shows how God continues to guide those who listen. Today, God speaks to us through prayer, the Church, and the events in our lives. We just need to be still and listen.

In this lesson, young people are invited to think about their own journey. What guides them? What are they willing to give up for Jesus? How can they stay true to their faith when the world pulls them in other directions? The story of the Magi offers a simple but deep message. God is always calling. Our job is to follow.

Music Suggestions

• Christ Be Our Light
• Here I Am to Worship
• Love Has Come
• Every Nation on Earth

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ways to connect with teens about their faith? We have free lesson plans that are ready to use. Each one is based on Scripture or Church teaching and made for middle school or high school youth. They are easy to adapt and work well in youth groups, classrooms, or parish programs.

Visit our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page to explore the full list. You’ll find topics for every season, including Advent, Lent, and Ordinary Time. There are also lessons tied to the Sunday readings and Church teachings. These resources are made to help you lead with confidence and engage your teens in meaningful conversation.

Use the lesson plan with your group and see how it speaks to them. It’s easy to adapt and leads to good conversations about faith and purpose.

Let us know how it went! Share your ideas, changes, or extra tips in the comment section. Your input can help others make the most of the “Follow That Star” lesson plan too.