I’m Healed. What’s Next?

Reverse Charades Showdown

Facilitator Instructions:
This game works like charades, but in reverse. Instead of one person acting and the group guessing, the whole group acts together, and one person guesses. Divide the youth into small teams of 5–8. Give each team a set of silly prompts written on slips of paper (examples: a penguin trying to ice skate, a person chasing a runaway taco, a giraffe brushing its teeth, a superhero stuck in traffic). Or see our Charades page for some ready made prompts.

One person from the team will be the guesser and will stand with their back to the rest of their team. When you say “Go,” the rest of the team will all act out the prompt at the same time without speaking. The guesser has 30 seconds to figure it out. Then switch guessers so everyone gets a turn. Keep the pace quick, and encourage exaggerated movements for humor.

This game is meant to be silly and over-the-top, so encourage laughter and dramatic acting. It’s not about winning—though you can keep score if you want—it’s about getting everyone moving and comfortable with one another.

• Was it easy or hard to figure out what your team was acting out?
• What helped you guess the right answer?
• How did it feel when everyone was working together toward the same goal?

That was a lot of fun! You had to work together, pay attention, and sometimes take a guess even when you weren’t 100% sure. In the middle of the silliness, there was a kind of teamwork happening—you were helping each other reach the goal.

In our faith, there are moments when we work together like that. Sometimes someone in our group needs help or encouragement. Sometimes it’s us who need the help. Just like in the game, we can’t always solve things on our own—we need others to step in.

Today, we’re going to read a story from the Gospel of Mark about someone who really needed help and how Jesus stepped in to bring healing. But what’s amazing is what happened right after that healing. It’s a reminder for us that when God does something for us, it’s not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of what we can do for others.

Read the Gospel:

Mark 1:29-39 (Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law) – the Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Mark 1:29-39

Let’s take a closer look at what is happening in this Gospel. Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was very sick. She had a high fever, and in the time of Jesus, this was not just a small problem. Today, we have medicine and doctors who can usually help us recover from a fever quickly. But back then, even something that seems small to us could be life-threatening. There were no antibiotics, no urgent care, no hospitals like we know today. A fever could mean days or weeks of weakness, and sometimes it could lead to death. So when we hear that she was sick, we need to understand that her situation was serious.

Then Jesus comes into the house. The people there tell Him right away about her illness. They don’t hesitate. They know He can help. And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t just say kind words from across the room. He goes to her, takes her hand, and helps her up. Immediately, the fever leaves her. This isn’t just a slow recovery—it’s instant. She goes from being unable to move to being healthy and full of energy. That’s the power of Jesus’ healing.

Now, here’s the part that might surprise you. As soon as she’s healed, she doesn’t rest. She doesn’t say, “Wow, I’m better! I think I’ll sit down for a while and recover.” No, she gets up right away and starts serving Jesus and His friends. She makes them feel welcome. She takes care of their needs. If you think about it, this is not the normal reaction after being seriously sick. Most people would want to take it easy. But she doesn’t think about herself—she thinks about what she can do for others.

Why would she do that? I believe it’s because her heart was full of gratitude. She had just been given her health back. She knew it was Jesus who did it. And the only way she could respond in that moment was by doing something for Him. Her service was her “thank you.” It was her way of showing love. It wasn’t about obligation. It wasn’t because someone told her she had to. It came from her heart.

This is a big lesson for us. When Jesus does something for us—whether it’s physical healing, emotional comfort, or spiritual strength—how do we respond? Do we keep it to ourselves, or do we turn outward and serve others? We might not be able to invite Jesus into our kitchen like she did, but we can help someone in need, show kindness to someone who’s struggling, or use our time and talents for the good of others.

Jesus heals us in many ways. Sometimes it is physical, like helping us get better from sickness. But other times it is something inside us. He can heal a hurt we’ve carried for a long time, help us forgive someone, give us peace when we’re worried, or free us from habits that are hurting us. And He gives us the sacraments as special ways to receive His healing grace.

Reconciliation is one of those sacraments. In confession, Jesus wipes away our sins and gives us a fresh start. Even if we aren’t physically sick, sin can weigh us down and make us feel far from God. Reconciliation heals that. The Anointing of the Sick is another sacrament of healing. It brings comfort, peace, and sometimes physical healing to those who are seriously ill. We might not always need anointing, but we do need confession regularly to stay close to God.

When we experience God’s grace—through healing, forgiveness, or even an answered prayer—it’s not meant to end with us. It’s meant to move through us to others. That’s where the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy come in. These are ways the Church teaches us to serve. They include things like feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and praying for others. When we do these things, we’re responding to God’s love by sharing it.

Think of it like this: God pours His grace into our lives like filling a cup. If we just keep it for ourselves, the cup will overflow and spill. But if we pour it out for others—through service, kindness, and mercy—God will keep filling it again and again. We become part of a cycle of grace that keeps going, blessing more and more people.

Simon Peter’s mother-in-law shows us that the right response to God’s grace is action. Not because we have to, but because we want to. So the challenge for you is this: When Jesus does something for you—big or small—look for a way to pass it on. It could be helping a friend, making your home a little more joyful, forgiving someone, or simply showing patience and kindness when it’s hard. That’s how we live as people who have been touched by God’s grace. That’s how we say, “Thank you, Jesus” with our lives.

When the youth move into small groups, remind them that this is a safe and respectful place to share. Encourage everyone to listen carefully to one another and to speak honestly. No one should feel pressured to share more than they are comfortable with. Allow time for silence so participants can think about their answers. The goal is to help them connect the Gospel to their own lives and see how God’s grace can inspire action.

• Have you ever been sick or hurt and needed someone else’s help? How did it feel when they cared for you?
• Why do you think Simon Peter’s mother-in-law served others right after she was healed?
• What are some ways Jesus has “healed” you, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
• How do you usually respond when something good happens in your life? Do you thank God?
• Can you think of a time when you served someone because you were grateful for what God has done for you?
• What is one Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy you could practice this week?
• Why do you think serving others is an important way to respond to God’s grace?
• How can we, as a group, support one another in living out acts of service?

This week, your challenge is to notice one way that Jesus has brought healing or grace into your life and then respond with an act of service. It doesn’t have to be something huge. It just has to be real and come from your heart. Think about what Simon Peter’s mother-in-law did—she didn’t wait or make excuses. She got up right away and served. You can do the same in your own way.

Here are some ideas to get you started. You could help at home without being asked, like doing a chore for a sibling or making your parents’ day a little easier. You could reach out to someone at school who looks lonely and invite them to join you at lunch. Or you could write a short note or text to encourage a friend who is going through something tough. These simple acts are ways to show Jesus that you are thankful for His grace and ready to pass it on.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and minds. Think about the story we heard today and how Jesus reached out and healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Remember how she got up right away to serve. Let’s bring our thoughts and thanks to God now.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for the ways You heal us, both inside and out. Thank You for forgiving us, comforting us, and giving us strength when we need it. We know that every good thing in our lives comes from You.

Help us to respond to Your love the way Peter’s mother-in-law did—by serving others with joy. Show us someone this week who needs kindness, and give us the courage to help them.

We pray for our families, our friends, and those who are sick or hurting. May they know Your healing touch and Your peace.

Jesus, we want to follow You in everything we do. Bless us as we go, and keep us close to You this week. Amen.

Themes

• Gratitude leads to service: When God blesses us, our natural response should be to give back. Simon Peter’s mother-in-law shows this by serving right after being healed. We can follow her example by helping others in big and small ways.
• Jesus brings true healing: Jesus cares about our whole being—body, mind, and spirit. He can heal us in ways no one else can. This healing gives us strength to serve others.
• Grace calls for action: God’s grace is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared through acts of love. Serving others shows we understand and value His gifts.
• Service shows love: Helping others is a way to love God. When we care for people, we honor Him. Love is best shown through action.
• Healing can be spiritual: Not all healing is physical. Jesus can help us forgive, find peace, or overcome fear. These changes can bring new life to our faith.
• Sacraments bring grace: The sacraments are special ways we meet Jesus. Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are both moments of healing. They strengthen us to serve.
• Mercy is a response: God’s mercy inspires us to be merciful. Acts of kindness and compassion reflect His love. This builds up the Body of Christ.
• Faith grows in service: Serving others helps our faith grow stronger. It teaches us to trust God and rely on His strength. Faith and service work together.
• Small acts matter: We don’t need to do huge things to please God. Even small acts of kindness have value. God sees and blesses our efforts.
• Community supports healing: We are not meant to live our faith alone. The Church helps us grow, heal, and serve together. In community, God’s grace spreads further.

Background Material

This lesson plan on our response to God’s grace is rooted in the heart of Catholic teaching about faith, gratitude, and service. The Gospel of Mark 1:29-39 tells the story of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. In just a few sentences, we see both the gift of healing and the response of service. She is restored to health, and her first action is to serve those in her home. This is a simple but powerful image of how grace works. God gives, and we respond.

In the Catholic faith, grace is God’s free gift to us. We cannot earn it, but we can choose how to respond to it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life” (CCC 1997). This means that grace is not just something we receive; it draws us closer to God and changes how we live.

This lesson also connects to the Catholic understanding of healing. Jesus cares for the whole person—body, soul, and spirit. The Gospels are filled with stories of Jesus healing the sick, forgiving sins, and restoring people to community. The Church continues this mission through the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. These sacraments are channels of grace where Christ still heals today. Reconciliation frees us from sin and strengthens us to live better. Anointing of the Sick brings comfort, peace, and sometimes physical healing to those who are seriously ill.

The story of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law also connects to the Church’s teaching on service. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). When we serve others, we are following His example. The Catechism teaches, “The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy; charity demands beneficence and fraternal correction; it is benevolence; it fosters reciprocity and remains disinterested and generous” (CCC 1829). This means real love leads us to do good for others without looking for something in return.

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are practical ways Catholics live out this call to service. They include feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and praying for others. These are everyday opportunities to respond to God’s grace. Simon Peter’s mother-in-law’s quick response reminds us that we do not have to wait for a perfect time to act. When we are touched by God’s love, we can respond right away, even in small ways.

Finally, this lesson fits with the Church’s teaching that faith grows when it is lived out. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” Serving others is one way we show our faith is alive. It is not about earning God’s love—He already loves us completely. It is about letting His love change us so that we can share it with the world.

This Gospel story is short, but it captures the pattern of Christian life: Jesus sees our need, gives us grace, and invites us to join Him in loving others. That is the heart of discipleship.

Music Suggestions for the Lesson Plan on Response to Gods Grace

• Fragrance Prayer
• Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone
• King of My Heart
• Go Make a Difference
• Mighty to Save