Dignity of All People Lesson Plan

Common Ground

This game is a fun way to help everyone relax, get to know each other better, and start thinking about the theme of dignity. It’s simple, doesn’t require any materials, and works for any size group.

Have everyone stand in a circle. Start by calling out a statement beginning with “Step into the circle if…” and fill in the blank with something that might apply to some people in the group. For example:

• “Step into the circle if you have a pet.”
• “Step into the circle if you like pizza.”
• “Step into the circle if you’ve ever helped someone with their homework.”

After each prompt, those who relate to the statement step into the circle. Let them look around and see who else stepped in, then have them step back to the larger group. Encourage a few rounds with both lighthearted and meaningful prompts. If time allows, invite youth to suggest their own “Step into the circle if…” ideas.

Follow up with a few questions:

• How did it feel to see people step into the circle for something you share in common?
• Were you surprised by how much you had in common with others in the group?
• How might activities like this help us notice and connect with people in new ways?

That game was a great way to notice the things we have in common with others. Sometimes it’s easy to see what we share with someone else, like similar interests or hobbies. But other times, it’s harder to notice the connections we have, especially with people we don’t know very well or those who seem different from us. Just because we don’t see something right away doesn’t mean it’s not there. The truth is, we are all connected because every person was made by God and has something special about them.

In the game, you probably noticed that you and others stepped into the circle for different reasons. This is a reminder that we’re all unique, with different experiences and gifts. But whether or not we share common ground with someone, God sees every person as valuable. He calls us to see people through His eyes, to notice their worth, and to treat them with kindness and respect. It’s not always easy to do, but Jesus gave us an example to follow.

In today’s scripture, we’ll hear how Jesus challenges us to include and care for others, especially those who are often left out. He teaches us about seeing every person’s dignity and valuing them, not because of what they can do for us, but because they are loved by God. As we listen to the reading, think about how we can show love and respect to the people around us in our own lives. Let’s open our hearts to what Jesus has to say.

Read Luke 14:1, 7-14 (Humility and Generosity), the Gospel for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.

For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Think about the way Jesus lived His life. He didn’t spend His time with people who had power, wealth, or high social status. He didn’t focus on those who could help Him gain more influence or make Him look important. Instead, Jesus chose to spend His time with people who were often ignored or looked down on.

Jesus healed the sick, spoke with outcasts, and ate meals with sinners. He went to the ones others avoided—the poor, the lonely, and the rejected. Why? Because Jesus saw their dignity. He saw their worth, not in what they had or what they could do, but in the simple fact that they were created and loved by God.

In Luke 14, Jesus teaches us to do the same. He tells a story about inviting guests to a banquet. Instead of choosing friends or rich neighbors who could repay the favor, He says to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind—people who couldn’t give anything back. This might seem strange to us. Why would Jesus ask us to invite people who can’t repay us? The answer is clear: every person has dignity, whether or not they can do anything for us in return. Jesus calls us to treat everyone with love and respect, not because of what they can give us, but because of who they are—children of God.

Dignity is something every person has simply because they are made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created all humans in His image and likeness. This means that every single person has value, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they’ve done. We don’t earn dignity by being successful, smart, or popular. It’s not something that depends on how we look or what others think of us. It’s a gift from God.

The world, though, often doesn’t see it this way. People are judged based on their appearance, their possessions, or how much they can impress others. Jesus is asking us to look beyond those things. He wants us to see people the way He does—with love, compassion, and kindness.

What does this look like in your daily life? It might mean noticing someone at school who usually eats lunch alone and choosing to sit with them. It could mean reaching out to someone who isn’t in your friend group and making an effort to include them. Maybe it’s being kind to a classmate who isn’t always kind to you. It might be as simple as smiling at someone, offering encouragement, or listening when someone needs to talk. These small actions might not seem like much, but they can have a big impact. They let people know that they matter, that someone cares about them, and that they are valued.

Respecting the dignity of others also means standing up for people when they’re being treated unfairly. If you see someone being bullied or left out, you can be the person who steps in. You can be the one to show kindness and remind them of their worth. This can be hard to do. It takes courage to stand up for someone else, especially when others are going along with the crowd. But this is what Jesus calls us to do. He didn’t stay silent when He saw injustice. He defended the weak, welcomed the excluded, and showed love to those who were unloved. He asks us to follow His example.

When you take the time to notice others, include them, and treat them with kindness, you are living out the Gospel. You are showing others the love of Christ. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. People will remember how you made them feel. They will remember that you treated them as valuable and important. And in doing so, you are not only honoring their dignity, but you are also honoring God, who created them.

When leading a small group discussion, encourage participants to share openly and respectfully. Remind them that everyone’s thoughts and experiences are valuable. Let them know it’s okay to listen quietly if they’re not ready to share, but emphasize the importance of creating a safe and welcoming space where all voices are heard. Use the questions below to guide the conversation and help youth reflect on the lesson.

• What does it mean to you that every person has dignity?
• Why do you think Jesus spent so much time with people who were ignored or left out?
• Can you think of a time when someone treated you in a way that made you feel valued? What happened?
• Have you ever noticed someone being left out or treated unfairly? How did you feel?
• What are some simple ways you can show others that they matter?
• Why do you think it’s sometimes hard to include people who are different from us?
• How can we follow Jesus’ example of seeing others through God’s eyes?
• Is there a specific person in your life who you think might need to feel more valued? What could you do for them this week?
• How does respecting the dignity of others bring us closer to God?
• What is one thing you learned from this lesson that you want to put into practice?

So how can you show others that they are valued this week? Take a moment to think about the people you interact with every day—your friends, classmates, teammates, neighbors, and even your family. Is there someone you know who is often left out or overlooked? Maybe it’s someone who seems lonely or struggles to fit in. Or perhaps there’s someone going through a tough time who could use some extra kindness and support.

Ask God to open your heart and help you see people the way He sees them—not through the lens of popularity or success, but with His love. When you look at others with God’s eyes, you’ll notice their value and worth in a deeper way.

Once you’ve thought of someone, take action. It doesn’t have to be something big or dramatic. Small acts of kindness can make a huge impact. You could sit with someone who’s alone at lunch, offer a sincere compliment, invite someone new to join your group, or just take the time to listen to someone who needs to talk.

Even a simple smile or “hello” can remind someone that they matter. By treating others with respect and love, you’re honoring their dignity and reflecting the light of Christ. This week, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and make an effort to show someone that they are loved and valued. You might just find that in doing so, you’ll grow closer to God and discover His joy in a new way.

Let’s take a moment to pray and ask God to help us live out what we’ve learned today. Find a quiet space in your heart and focus on His presence.

Lord, thank You for reminding us that every person has dignity because they are made in Your image. Help us to see others the way You see them—with love, compassion, and kindness. Open our eyes to notice the people around us who might feel left out, lonely, or overlooked. Give us the courage to reach out to them and show them that they are valued.

Jesus, teach us to follow Your example of including others and treating everyone with respect, especially those who can’t give us anything in return. Fill our hearts with Your love so that we can share it with the world. Help us to be a light in our schools, families, and friendships. Thank You for loving us and for giving us the chance to share Your love with others. Amen.

Take this prayer into your heart this week. Let God guide you as you look for ways to honor the dignity of others in your daily life.

Themes

• Human Dignity as God-Given: Every person is created in the image and likeness of God. This means all people have equal worth and value, no matter their background, abilities, or status. Treating others with respect honors their God-given dignity.
• Seeing Christ in Others: Jesus teaches us to see Him in everyone, especially in those who are poor, vulnerable, or excluded. When we love and care for others, we are loving and caring for Christ. This calls us to treat everyone with love and respect.
• Love for the Marginalized: Jesus asks us to love and serve those who are often left out or ignored. This includes reaching out to the poor, the lonely, and those who struggle. Respecting their dignity means recognizing their value and worth.
• Equality in God’s Eyes: In God’s kingdom, no one is more important than another. All people are equally loved by God and deserve respect. This challenges us to let go of pride and treat others as brothers and sisters.
• The Call to Humility: Humility means recognizing our own worth without putting ourselves above others. Jesus shows us how to live with humility by caring for others instead of seeking praise. True humility honors the dignity of everyone we meet.
• The Importance of Generosity: Jesus calls us to be generous, not just with money, but with our time and kindness. He asks us to help those who cannot give back to us. Generosity shows that we value the dignity of others above personal gain.
• Solidarity with All People: As members of the Body of Christ, we are connected to everyone. When we see someone in need, their struggles become our own. Respecting their dignity means standing with them in their challenges.
• Rejecting Judgment and Labels: Jesus teaches us not to judge others based on appearances, achievements, or failures. Every person has dignity that cannot be taken away. We are called to see beyond labels and love people for who they are.
• Service as a Way of Life: Serving others is central to living out our Catholic faith. Jesus teaches us to serve with love, especially those who are often forgotten. Service reminds us that all people deserve care and respect.
• Welcoming All with Love: Jesus calls us to welcome everyone, especially those who are different from us. This includes being kind and respectful to strangers and those we might not know well. Welcoming others reflects God’s love for every person and their dignity.
• Justice for the Oppressed: Respecting dignity means working for justice when people are treated unfairly. The Church teaches us to stand up for the rights of the poor and vulnerable. This helps build a world where everyone’s dignity is protected.

Background Material

Respecting the dignity of all people is a central part of Catholic teaching. The Bible tells us that every person is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). This means that every human being has worth and value simply because they were created by God. No one earns their dignity; it is a gift given to all people. This truth is the foundation for how we are called to treat one another with love and respect.

Jesus teaches us how to live out this truth in the Gospels. In Luke 14:1, 7-14, Jesus challenges His followers to invite those who are poor, crippled, lame, and blind to their tables. These are the people who were often ignored or excluded in His time. Jesus’ actions and teachings show us that God values everyone, especially those who are often forgotten by society. He calls us to love and include others, not based on what they can give us in return, but because they are loved by God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this clearly: “Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone” (CCC 357). This reminds us that every person is unique and deserves to be treated with respect. It also means that we must go beyond seeing people as objects or categories and instead see them as individuals loved by God. This understanding shapes how Catholics approach issues like justice, service, and relationships.

The Church also teaches that respecting dignity means standing up for those who are vulnerable. Pope Francis often speaks about the importance of including the poor, the marginalized, and the excluded. He has said, “The way we treat the poor and the outcast is a reflection of how we treat Christ himself.” This echoes Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Respecting others’ dignity calls us to see Christ in everyone, especially those in need.

Catholic Social Teaching builds on these ideas. It teaches that the life and dignity of the human person is the first principle of social justice. This means that every decision we make, whether personal or communal, should reflect our belief in the value of every person. This teaching applies to how we treat our families, friends, and classmates, as well as how we care for the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable.

In our daily lives, we can show respect for others’ dignity by the way we treat them. Small acts of kindness, inclusion, and fairness reflect this Catholic teaching. By following Jesus’ example, we can help build a world where every person feels valued and loved. This is what it means to live out the Gospel and to see others as God sees them.

Music Suggestions

• All Are Welcome, All Belong by Jesse Manibusan & Ken Canedo
• Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray
• Hold Us Together by Matt Maher

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more resources to inspire and guide your youth? Visit our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page to find a variety of free lesson plans designed to engage and challenge young Catholics. These lessons cover topics like faith, prayer, service, and living out the Gospel in daily life.

Whether you are a teacher, catechist, or youth minister, these materials can help you lead meaningful discussions and activities. Each lesson is simple to use and encourages youth to grow in their relationship with God and others. Explore more at Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections.