Ready Servants

Ready or Not!

This game is a fun way to get everyone moving and thinking about being prepared. It works best with a medium to large group. The goal is to help students realize how easy it is to get distracted and how important it is to stay focused and ready.

1. Choose one person to be the “Master.” This person will give commands, similar to “Simon Says.”
2. The rest of the group will stand in a line or circle, ready to follow the Master’s instructions.
3. The Master will call out different actions (e.g., “Touch your toes,” “Jump three times,” “Clap your hands”). Players must follow only when the Master says “Ready or not!” If the Master doesn’t say “Ready or not” first and someone follows the action, they are out.
4. Play for a few rounds, gradually increasing the speed to make it more challenging. The last person standing wins!

Follow up with a few questions:

• Was it easy or hard to stay focused on the right instructions?
• Did you ever act too quickly or miss a command? What happened?
• How does this game remind you of staying ready in your faith?

That game was fun, but it also taught us something important. It showed how easy it is to get distracted or act without thinking. In the same way, our faith can slip away if we’re not paying attention. Jesus tells us to stay ready, just like in the game. But instead of following silly commands, we are called to follow Him.

In Luke 12:32-48, Jesus talks about servants who are waiting for their master to return. Some are ready, but others get lazy and stop caring. Jesus uses this story to remind us that faith isn’t just about believing—it’s about living in a way that keeps us prepared. Active faith means we are always growing, praying, and making good choices, not just when it’s easy.

Now, let’s read the passage together. As we listen, think about the game we just played. Were the servants in the story ready, or were they caught off guard? What can we learn from them about staying active in our faith? Let’s find out!

Read all or part of Luke 12:32-48 (Be Prepared for the Lord’s Coming), the Gospel for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”

And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property.

But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Let’s be real—faith is not always easy to keep up with. Life is busy. School, sports, family, and friends take up so much of your time. Sometimes, faith feels like just another thing on the to-do list, and it’s easy to put it off. But Jesus calls us to be ready and stay faithful. Active faith means making God part of your everyday life, not just something you think about on Sundays or at youth group.

Think about something you love to do. Maybe you play a sport, an instrument, or a video game. What happens if you stop practicing? You get rusty, right? You lose your skills and fall behind. Faith works the same way. If you don’t pray, read Scripture, or make choices that bring you closer to God, your faith can get weaker. In Luke 12:32-48, Jesus tells a story about a master who leaves his servants in charge. A good servant stays ready and does what the master asks. A lazy servant gets distracted and stops caring. When the master returns, only one of them is prepared. Which one do you want to be?

A lot of times, we don’t even realize we’re being spiritually lazy. Maybe we say, “I’ll pray later,” but later never comes. Maybe we skip Mass because we’re tired. Maybe we know we should help someone, but we make an excuse. Before we know it, we’ve pushed God to the side. Faith doesn’t disappear all at once—it fades when we stop taking care of it. That’s why active faith is so important. It’s about making small choices every day to stay connected to God.

So, what does active faith actually look like? It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It means you try. It means making an effort to pray, even when you don’t feel like it. It means choosing to be kind when it’s easier to ignore someone. It means showing up to Mass and paying attention, even when you’re tired. It means asking questions when you don’t understand something about your faith.

Here’s something to think about: What is one small thing you can do every day to grow in faith? Maybe it’s saying a short prayer before you get out of bed. Maybe it’s reading one Bible verse a day. Maybe it’s listening to Christian music instead of something negative. Maybe it’s reaching out to a friend who needs support. Active faith doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just about making choices that bring you closer to God.

Another important part of faith is community. You’re not meant to do this alone. That’s why we have the Church. Going to Mass, being part of a youth group, and talking about faith with friends can help you stay strong. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to grow in your faith. When you struggle, lean on them. When they struggle, be there for them.

Now, let’s get real—what challenges do you face when it comes to living out your faith? What makes it hard for you to pray, go to Mass, or make good choices? It’s okay to struggle. Faith is a journey, and everyone has ups and downs. The important thing is to keep going. Jesus isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for faithfulness.

So, what will you do today to stay active in your faith? Will you take a small step toward growing closer to God? Think about it, talk about it, and make a plan. Your faith is in your hands. What will you do with it?

Small group discussions help youth think about their faith and how to live it daily. Encourage honest sharing and respectful listening. There are no “wrong” answers, and everyone should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts. Remind the group that faith is a journey, and we all grow at different speeds. Use these questions to guide the conversation and help youth reflect on active faith.

• What does it mean to have an active faith?
• What are some things that distract you from making faith a priority?
• Have you ever felt spiritually lazy? What caused it, and how did you overcome it?
• Jesus tells us to be ready for His return. What do you think that means for your daily life?
• What are some small ways you can grow in your faith each day?
• Have you ever made an excuse to avoid prayer, Mass, or serving others? How can you change that?
• How do you feel when you take your faith seriously? How do you feel when you don’t?
• Who in your life inspires you to have an active faith? What do they do that stands out?
• How can being part of a faith community help you stay strong in your faith?
• What is one change you can make this week to live your faith more actively?

This week, challenge yourself to take one step toward active faith. Don’t just think about your faith—do something to make it stronger. Faith grows when you put it into action, even in small ways. Choose one thing you will commit to this week and stick with it.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started. First, set aside five minutes every day to pray. It doesn’t have to be long—just a quick conversation with God. Second, do one act of kindness for someone without expecting anything in return. It could be helping a friend, saying something encouraging, or serving at home. Third, make a real effort to pay attention at Mass this Sunday. Listen to the readings, think about the homily, and really participate.

Whatever you choose, do it with a heart ready to grow in active faith!

Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You. Sometimes we get lazy in our faith, and we put other things before You. Help us to stay awake and ready. Teach us to pray when we feel too busy, to serve when we feel too tired, and to trust You even when it’s hard.

Lord, give us the strength to live with active faith every day. Help us to listen to Your voice, to make good choices, and to be a light to others. Show us how to love You with our whole hearts, not just with words but with action.

Holy Spirit, guide us this week. Give us courage to live our faith, even when it’s not easy. Help us to grow closer to You and to always be ready for what You are calling us to do. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Themes for the the Ready Servants Lesson Plan on Active Faith

1. Faith Requires Action: Jesus calls us to live our faith, not just believe in it. We must pray, serve others, and follow His teachings. Active faith means making daily choices that bring us closer to God.
2. Be Ready for Christ: Jesus warns us to stay awake and be prepared. We do not know when He will return or call us home. We should ready to meet Him at any time.
3. Avoid Spiritual Laziness: It is easy to put off prayer and ignore God’s call. When we stop making faith a priority, we drift away. We must choose God even when we don’t feel like it.
4. Use Your Gifts Wisely: God gives each of us talents to serve Him. We must use them to help others and build His kingdom. We must use our gifts with purpose.
5. Stay Strong in Temptation: The world can distract us from God. It is easy to follow the crowd and forget our faith. Our faith helps us resist sin and make good choices.
6. Faith Grows with Effort: Just like muscles, faith gets stronger when we use it. Prayer, reading Scripture, and acts of love help us grow. Active faith requires daily practice.
7. Serving Others is Key: Jesus showed us how to love and serve. Helping others brings us closer to Him. We should always be looking for ways to care for people around us.
8. Small Choices Matter: Every day, we decide to follow Christ or ignore Him. Little habits like prayer and kindness shape our hearts. Good habits are built on small, faithful actions.
9. God Rewards Faithfulness: Jesus promises blessings to those who stay faithful. When we put effort into our faith, we find peace and joy. Active faith leads to a deeper relationship with God.
10. The Church Helps Us: We are not alone in our faith journey. The Church gives us the sacraments, community, and guidance. Staying connected to the Church helps us grow.
11. Prayer Keeps Us Focused: Talking to God every day strengthens our faith. It helps us remember what is most important. Regular and sincere prayer keeps us focused.
12. Follow Jesus Daily: Faith is not just for Sundays. Every day is a chance to follow Christ. Active faith means walking with Him in all we do.

Background Material for the the Ready Servants Lesson Plan on Active Faith

Jesus calls His followers to stay alert and ready for His return. In Luke 12:32-48, He warns against laziness and tells His disciples to be faithful servants. This message is important for Catholics today. Faith is not just about believing—it is about living in a way that honors God. Active faith means making choices every day to follow Jesus.

The Bible teaches that faith and action go together. James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” This means that true faith must be lived out. We cannot just say we believe in God and then do nothing. We must pray, serve others, and follow God’s commandments. Active faith requires effort, just like keeping a fire burning. If we do nothing, our faith can grow weak.

Jesus also warns about being spiritually lazy. In Matthew 25:14-30, He tells the Parable of the Talents. A master gives his servants money and expects them to use it wisely. Two servants invest and grow what they were given. One servant does nothing and is punished. This teaches that God wants us to use our gifts for His glory. If we do nothing with our faith, we are like the lazy servant. Active faith means using what God has given us to serve Him and others.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that faith is more than belief—it must lead to action. CCC 1816 says, “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.” This means that real faith shapes our lives. We are called to live in a way that shows our love for God. Faith should not be passive. It should be something we practice every day.

The saints also lived out active faith. St. Teresa of Calcutta did not just pray; she served the poor and the sick. St. Francis of Assisi gave up wealth to follow Jesus. St. John Paul II worked to spread the Gospel and bring people closer to Christ. These saints show us that faith must be lived in real ways. They did not wait for someone else to act—they took steps to serve God.

The Church also gives us ways to stay active in our faith. The sacraments help us grow closer to God. The Eucharist gives us strength. Confession helps us start fresh when we fail. Prayer connects us to God every day. Serving others brings us closer to Christ. Being part of a Catholic community keeps us accountable and encourages us.

Jesus calls us to be faithful servants, not lazy ones. He wants us to live with purpose and be ready for Him. If we stay active in our faith, we will grow closer to God and help others do the same. Active faith is the key to a strong relationship with Jesus.

Music Suggestions for the the Ready Servants Lesson Plan on Active Faith

• Find Us Ready Lord by Tom Booth
• Everlasting God by Jeremy Camp
• Open The Eyes of My Heart, Lord by Paul Baloche

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ways to help youth grow in their faith? Visit our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections for free resources. You’ll find lessons, reflections, and activities to keep teens engaged and focused on active faith.

These lessons are designed for youth ministers, catechists, and teachers. They cover many topics to help young people connect faith to real life. Explore the collection and find the right lessons for your group. Keep youth inspired and growing in active faith with these free resources!