What Are You Looking For? A Lesson Plan on Desires

This "What Are You Looking For" lesson plan, based on John 1:35-42, encourages youth to introspect about their deepest desires and assess if these align with the path of discipleship. It explores Jesus' question to His disciples, "What are you looking for?", urging them, and us, to ponder our true wants. This reflection extends to considering if we seek a messiah for control, vengeance, or material comfort, as was common among Jews under Roman rule who longed for a Messiah to overthrow their oppressors. The plan also challenges the notion of seeking Jesus for immediate ease or material prosperity, emphasizing instead gratitude and acceptance of life's challenges.

The disciples' response, "Where are you staying?", is highlighted as a deeper inquiry into where Jesus' heart resides - with the poor and marginalized. Participants are prompted to reflect on where their own heart lies: what occupies their thoughts, what excites them, and what brings them fulfillment. This introspection aims to align personal desires with Jesus' teachings, underscoring that God doesn't call for a complete personal overhaul but invites us to use our unique gifts and talents in His service. The lesson encourages finding common ground between our heart's location and Jesus', fostering spiritual growth and discipleship.

Play a wishing game.

You have three wishes by a genie. You can have anything you want. There are a couple of rules though. These wishes are only to be used to benefit you personally. Wishing for world peace is great, but this particular genie won’t allow it. And no wishing for more wishes!

• What would you wish for?

Allow plenty of time for this discussion. Everyone should get to say what they wished for.

As we transition from our opening wishing game to the Scripture reading of John 1:35-42, let's carry with us the theme of our desires. The game highlighted our personal longings when presented with three unrestricted wishes. Now, as we delve into the Scripture, we'll explore a deeper kind of longing.

When Jesus asks, "What are you looking for?" in this passage, He invites us to consider not just our surface wishes, but the deeper yearnings of our hearts. As we listen to this passage, think about how your wishes from the game align with what you truly seek in life and in your faith journey.

John 1:35-42 (John the Baptist points out Jesus) - the Gospel Reading for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?"

They said to him, "Rabbi" - which translated means Teacher - "where are you staying?"

He said to them, "Come, and you will see."

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" - which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" - which is translated Peter.

John 1:35-42

Jesus asks the disciples “What are you looking for?” He didn’t ask because they were looking for something they dropped on the floor. He is asking what they want. Perhaps Jesus asked this question to make them think about it rather than to get a particular answer.

They could have been looking for a military leader. The Jews at that time were suffering under Roman rule. Many were hoping for the coming of a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans. They sought freedom from oppression and wished these foreigners out of their land.

Sometimes we look for a savior who will conquer our enemies for us. But Jesus did not come to fight people’s battles for them, especially with control and violence.

• Have you ever wished that there would be some righteous justice brought on somebody who has hurt you?
• Have you wished for somebody to fail or be humiliated?
• Have you tried to control a situation where you felt weak and powerless?
• How might you ask Jesus to help you in these situations?

Another possibility was that they would ask for wealth or comfort. The disciples were not wealthy. They worked hard to get by. Many thought the Messiah would usher in a time of prosperity for the Jewish people.

We also look for somebody to make life easier for us. And while Jesus can certainly comfort us, he is probably not going to show up at our front door with a stack of money or magically fix our problems.

• Do you pray for things to be easier?
• Have you ever prayed for something you really wanted and then felt like your prayer was not answered? How did that make you feel?
• Have you tried praying in gratitude for the things you have instead of praying for God to do more?

The answer the disciples gave to the question “What are you looking for?” is interesting. They said “Where are you staying?” They might be asking for an address, but perhaps they also want to know where Jesus’ heart lives. And it turns out that Jesus’ heart is with the poor and the oppressed, those who are left out and left behind.

How do you answer the question “Where do you live?” Don’t answer with an address. Instead think about where your heart is.

• What takes up the most time of each day for you?
• What are you most excited about doing each day?
• What do you think about when you are daydreaming?
• Which things or activities make you feel most alive?

The answers to these will give you some idea of where your heart lives. Does it live in the same zip code as Jesus’ heart?

The great thing about God is that He doesn’t ask us to become a totally different person. Instead, He asks us to use the gifts and talents and personalities to build His Kingdom. And that is where Jesus’ heart lives – in the Kingdom of God.

Break into small groups to discuss these ideas further.

• Reflecting on the question Jesus asked, "What are you looking for?", identify the primary thing you are seeking in your life at this moment. How does it influence your daily actions and decisions?
• Considering your current wants and desires, how can you channel them to contribute to building the Kingdom of God? Are there specific talents or passions you possess that could be used for this purpose?
• Sometimes our desires may not align with the teachings and values of our faith. If you recognize such wants in your life, what steps can you take to realign them with the Kingdom of God? Consider practices like confession, attending Mass, or performing a daily Examen.
• In what ways can reflecting on the question "What are you looking for?" help you understand and deepen your relationship with God? How can this introspection guide you to a more faith-centered life?
• Discuss how the answer to "What are you looking for?" might change at different stages of your life. How can your evolving answers guide your spiritual growth and understanding of God's plan for you?

For this week's challenge in our "What Are You Looking For?" lesson plan, let's delve deeper into understanding and aligning our daily desires with God's plan. Each day, dedicate time to prayerful reflection, starting with the question, "What am I looking for today?" Consider your hopes, tasks, or even fears for the day ahead.

As you identify these daily desires, bring them before God in prayer. Ask for His guidance on how these wants can serve a greater purpose in building His Kingdom. Whether it's a goal at work, a personal challenge, or a simple everyday task, seek ways to align it with the values and teachings of our faith.

Additionally, at the end of each day, reflect on how you've used your desires constructively. Were you able to turn a personal goal into an act of kindness or service? How did your actions contribute to the well-being of others and glorify God?

This exercise is not just about understanding "What are you looking for?" but also about actively shaping our desires to reflect God's love and compassion in our daily lives. It's an opportunity to grow closer to God by aligning our personal ambitions with His divine will.

Pray St. Anselm's Prayer, which starts, "O my God teach my heart where and how to seek you..." Find a printable copy here.

As we conclude our "What Are You Looking For?" lesson, let us gather our thoughts and reflections in prayer, seeking guidance in our continual search for purpose and connection with God. We will use Anselm's Prayer, a profound prayer that resonates deeply with our exploration today. This prayer invites us to ask God to teach our hearts where and how to seek and find Him. It acknowledges our longing and our need for God's guidance in our journey of faith. Let's join together in this prayer, allowing its words to echo the desires we've uncovered and the spiritual path we are seeking to follow.

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.

Printable PDF of What Are You Looking For? A Lesson Plan on Desires

Click here to download a PDF copy of the lesson plan

Themes for What Are You Looking For? Lesson Plan

• Self-Reflection: Encouraging youth to ponder the question "What are you looking for?" in the context of their personal desires and aspirations.
• Alignment with Faith: Exploring how our personal wants and goals can be aligned with or diverge from the path of discipleship and Catholic teachings.
• Understanding Jesus' Teachings: Delving into the significance of Jesus' question "What are you looking for?" and its implications for our daily lives and spiritual journey.
• Spiritual Growth: Focusing on how to nurture and grow in faith by aligning our desires with God's will and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Practical Application: Offering guidance on how to transform personal desires into actions that contribute to building the Kingdom of God.
• Reconciliation of Desires: Addressing the challenge of desires that may not align with Catholic values and exploring ways to reconcile them through practices like confession, Mass attendance, and the daily Examen.
• Gratitude and Acceptance: Encouraging a shift from praying for personal gains to a mindset of gratitude and acceptance of God's plan.

Background Material for the What Are You Looking For? Lesson Plan

The "What Are You Looking For?" lesson plan invites Catholic youth to deeply contemplate their desires and aspirations, aligning them with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. This reflective journey is grounded in the Gospel of John, specifically John 1:35-42, where Jesus asks His disciples, “What are you looking for?” This question is pivotal, as it goes beyond the superficial level, probing into the depths of our hearts and souls.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse reinforces the lesson’s theme of aligning our pursuits with God's Kingdom. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth and moral integrity over material gains or earthly desires.

Delving into the notion of true happiness, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1718) says, “The Beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it.” This teaching aligns with the lesson’s focus on understanding our deepest desires as pathways leading us closer to God.

God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1721

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) further illuminates this concept. Paragraph 1723 states, “The beatitude we are promised confronts us with decisive moral choices. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else.” This highlights the necessity of introspection and moral refinement in our quest to understand “What are you looking for?”

The lesson also explores how our desires can either lead us towards or away from God's plan. James 4:3 warns us, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” This scripture invites the youth to reflect on the purity and intentionality of their desires.

In terms of aligning our desires with God’s will, CCC 2548 states, “The desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God.” This aspect of the lesson emphasizes the importance of detaching from worldly desires to embrace spiritual fulfillment.

Ultimately, the lesson plan aims to guide the youth in a spiritual examination of their desires, aligning them with the teachings of Jesus and the Church. Through scripture and the teachings of the CCC, participants are encouraged to reflect on “What are you looking for?” in their lives, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith journey and their relationship with God.

Music Suggestions for the What Are You Looking For? Lesson Plan

• Servant Song
• Lord I Need You
• Take My Life
• I Will Choose Christ
• Be Thou My Vision

• Save

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

This What Are You Looking For? Lesson Plan is is just one of many in our diverse collection of lesson plans designed specifically for young Catholics. Each lesson offers unique insights on various topics, blending scriptural teachings with practical life applications. These resources are crafted to engage, inspire, and deepen the faith journey of our youth. Whether it's exploring biblical narratives or addressing contemporary issues through a Catholic lens, our collection is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to enrich their spiritual education.

What is the main objective of the "What Are You Looking For?" lesson plan?

This lesson plan aims to help participants explore their deepest desires and assess how these align with their journey of discipleship. It uses the pivotal question Jesus asks in John 1:35-42, "What are you looking for?", to encourage introspection about personal wants versus spiritual goals.

How is the phrase "What are you looking for?" relevant to this lesson?

"What are you looking for?" is a key phrase from the Scripture passage John 1:35-42, which forms the basis of this lesson. It's used to prompt reflection on the participants' true desires and how these relate to their faith and life choices.

Who is the target audience for this lesson plan?

This lesson is designed for youth groups, particularly those in their teenage years, who are at a stage of discovering their identity and purpose, both in life and in their faith.

Are there specific activities included in this lesson plan?

Yes, the lesson plan includes various activities such as an opening wishing game, a Scripture reading, group discussions, and reflective exercises, all centered around understanding and interpreting the question "What are you looking for?" in a personal and spiritual context.

How can catechists adapt this lesson for different age groups?

Catechists can adapt the depth and complexity of discussion questions and activities to suit different age groups. For younger participants, more concrete examples and simpler reflection questions can be used, while for older groups, deeper theological and introspective discussions can be incorporated.

What are some expected outcomes of this lesson?

Participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of their personal desires, how these align or conflict with their spiritual goals, and ways to reconcile or redirect their wants in accordance with their faith. The lesson also aims to foster a deeper connection with the teachings of Jesus.