Dying to Live

Seeds of Change

Facilitator, for this activity you will need a bowl of soil, a tray or shallow box to hold the soil, and a small handful of dried beans or seeds. You will also need some slips of paper and pens. Ask each youth to think of something in their life that they might need to let go of—a bad habit, a fear, or even a worry.

Have them write it down on a slip of paper, fold it, and then bury it in the soil. After everyone has placed their paper in, scatter the seeds on top and gently press them into the dirt. Tell them that while the papers will remain unseen, the seeds represent new life that can grow when we let go. It’s a simple, physical sign of the lesson theme.

• How did it feel to write down something you need to let go of?
• What do you think the seeds represent in your own life?
• Why do you think God sometimes asks us to release things before we can grow?

Look at the bowl of soil we created together. Right now, it doesn’t look like much. It might even feel a little messy. But underneath the surface, something important has happened. You buried something you chose to release, and we placed seeds on top. Seeds remind us that new life can grow, but only if something else is given up first. That is the heart of what we will be talking about today.

Think about how strange it is that something so small, like a seed, can one day become food, a flower, or even a tree. But the seed itself has to “die” in order to grow. It has to stop being just a seed. In the same way, the things we buried on paper are like seeds. If we cling to them, nothing changes. But if we let them go, God can use that space to bring something new and alive into our lives.

This idea connects to what Jesus tells us in the Gospel reading we are about to hear. He talks about a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground and die to produce much fruit. He uses this image to help us see that dying to ourselves, letting go of what holds us back, is the way to real life. So as we move into the Scripture and discussion, keep the soil and seeds in mind. They are a sign that what feels like loss can actually become the start of something greater.

John 12:20-33 (The Grain of Wheat) – the Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday of Lent – Year B

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

John 12:20-33

We usually try to avoid talking about death. It feels uncomfortable, maybe even scary. But have you ever noticed that death is actually part of everyday life? God built it into creation. We see it all around us if we take the time to look.

Think about the seasons. Every fall, the leaves on the trees die and fall to the ground. The trees look bare and lifeless. But that death is not the end. It is part of a cycle that makes new life possible. In spring, fresh leaves grow again. Without the death of the old leaves, the tree would not be ready for the new growth. In the same way, parts of our own lives sometimes need to end so that something new can begin.

Or think about the stars in the sky. Scientists tell us that new stars are born out of the dust of old stars that explode. What looks like destruction is actually the beginning of something beautiful. God uses what seems like an ending to create a new beginning. The same is true in our lives. Something we think is the end of the road can actually be the start of something much better.

Even in the forest, new life comes from death. Have you ever walked through the woods and seen plants sprouting out of an old, rotting log? What looks like waste is actually the foundation for growth. The dying tree becomes food and shelter for the new plants. Our lives can be like that too. When one part of our lives ends, God can use it to support something new and good.

Jesus used the image of a grain of wheat to teach this lesson. He said that unless the grain falls to the ground and dies, it stays just a grain. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. Think about that. A single grain of wheat could cling to its stalk forever, but then it would never grow into a plant. It would never feed anyone. It would just stay what it is. But if it lets go, falls into the soil, and “dies,” then something greater happens. It becomes part of something larger and fruitful.

Now, this doesn’t mean we should rush toward death. Our lives and deaths are in God’s hands. A grain of wheat that falls too soon will never become a plant. God has a plan for each of us, and His timing is best. The message is not about ending life early. It is about learning how to let go. It is about trusting that God knows what is best for us.

So what does this look like for you right now? Maybe you have faced situations where you had to choose between good things. Imagine you want to join the choir. But you are already loaded down with homework, basketball, youth group, and yearbook. You just can’t do it all. Something has to “die.” Maybe you let go of one of your other activities to grow in your music. Or maybe you realize choir isn’t possible right now, and you let go of that dream. Either way, something ends, but that ending makes space for growth in another area.

This is not easy. We like to cling to everything. We want to have it all. But when we cling too tightly, nothing thrives. Our energy gets divided. We get tired, frustrated, and stressed. By letting go of one thing, we allow the others to grow stronger. That is how “dying to live” works in everyday choices.

It can also mean letting go of habits that pull us away from God. For example, maybe you’ve gotten into the habit of sleeping in on Sundays and skipping Mass. At first, that might feel like comfort. But over time, it leaves you empty. If you let that habit “die” and make the choice to get up, get ready, and go to Mass, you gain something far greater. You encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. You hear His Word. You become part of the Church family. That habit of skipping church dies, but what grows in its place is life with Christ.

“Dying to live” can be as simple as giving up something small for something better. It can also be as big as letting go of a dream, a habit, or even a way of thinking. Every time we choose God over selfishness, we experience this truth. The more we trust Him and let go of what holds us back, the more alive we become.

So ask yourself: what needs to die in your life right now? Is it a habit that keeps you from God? Is it trying to do too much and not doing anything well? Is it a grudge or anger you won’t let go of? God is inviting you to release it, to let it fall, and to trust that He will bring new life out of it. Like the grain of wheat, if you let go, you will grow. And through you, God will bear fruit in the world.

When breaking into small groups, remind the youth that this is a time for honest sharing and listening. Encourage them to respect one another’s stories and to keep what is said in the group private. Let them know it is okay to pass if they do not feel ready to share. The goal is not to have the “right” answer but to reflect on their own experiences and learn from each other.

• Can you think of something in your life that you had to let go of, and how did it open the door to something new?
• What is one habit or attitude that you think might need to “die” in order for you to grow closer to God?
• Have you ever experienced a time when something that felt like a loss ended up being a blessing? What happened?
• How do you see God’s hand at work when you face challenges or disappointments?
• Is there something in your life right now that you feel God might be asking you to release or change?
• What does the grain of wheat story from the Gospel teach you about your own life and choices?
• How can letting go of control help you trust God more deeply?
• Who in your life has shown you an example of “dying to live” through sacrifice, service, or faith?
• What is one area of your life where you hope to see new growth if you are willing to let something else go?

This week, I want to challenge you to look closely at your own life and choose one thing you are ready to let go of. It doesn’t have to be something huge, but it should be something real. Maybe it’s a habit that pulls you away from God, like spending too much time on your phone instead of praying or talking with family. Maybe it’s an attitude, like always needing to be in control or holding onto anger. Or maybe it’s a comfort, like always taking the easy way out instead of pushing yourself to grow. Whatever you choose, the idea is to let that thing “die” so that something new and better can take root.

As you work on this, don’t try to do it alone. Make time each day to pray and ask God for help. Invite Him to fill the empty space with His grace. Let Him show you what new life He wants to grow in you. At the end of the week, take a moment to look back and notice what has changed. Did you feel lighter? Did you see new opportunities? Did you grow closer to God or others? This challenge is not just about giving something up. It is about making room for God to bring you into a fuller life, the kind of life Jesus promises when He talks about the grain of wheat that falls and bears much fruit.

Let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves and come before God in prayer. Close your eyes if you’d like, and place yourself in His presence.

Lord, we thank You for this time together. We thank You for the gift of life and for the chance to grow in faith. We know that sometimes You call us to let go, to release the things that keep us from following You fully. Give us courage to trust that when we surrender, You bring new life.

Jesus, You showed us what it means to die to self so that others may live. Help us to follow Your example in our own lives. Teach us to let go of our pride, our fears, and our bad habits, and to replace them with love, faith, and hope.

Holy Spirit, guide us as we continue our week. Remind us that You are with us in every choice we make. Strengthen us when it feels hard to let go, and fill us with joy when we discover the new life You are bringing. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Themes

• Dying to Self: Jesus teaches that letting go of our own wants opens the way to real life. When we surrender pride and selfishness, God can work in us. This lesson helps youth see that true life comes from trust and surrender.
• Growth through Struggles: Hard times are not wasted. God often uses challenges to help us grow stronger in faith. Youth learn that trials can bring new life when we stay close to Him.
• Trusting God’s Plan: Life does not always go the way we want. God invites us to trust His timing and direction. This plan shows that letting go of control leads to peace.
• Power of Sacrifice: Choosing to give up something can bring blessings. Small sacrifices teach us to follow Jesus more closely. Youth discover that sacrifice is a path to joy, not loss.
• Forgiveness and Healing: Letting go of grudges or guilt brings freedom. Forgiveness allows broken relationships to heal. The lesson points to God’s mercy as the source of new beginnings.
• Community and Sharing: When youth share their stories, they see how connected they are. Each life adds to the faith of the group. This creates unity and support among them.
• Daily Choices Matter: “Dying to live” is not only about physical death. It is about the small decisions we make each day. These choices shape our faith and character.
• Saints as Examples: Many saints lived out this teaching. They gave up comfort and ease to serve Christ. Their lives remind us that dying to self leads to holiness.
• Eternal Life Promise: Jesus tells us that those who lose their life for Him will find it. This lesson connects daily struggles to the hope of heaven. Youth learn to see beyond this life.
• God’s Presence in Change: Change often feels like loss. But God is present in every shift and turn. The plan helps youth see Him at work in times of transition.
• Letting Go of Sin: Sin keeps us from living fully. Choosing to let sin “die” makes room for grace. This lesson encourages confession, prayer, and new beginnings.
• Following Christ’s Example: Jesus Himself gave up His life to bring salvation. He shows us the way of self-giving love. Youth are called to follow in His steps.

Background Material

The idea of “dying to live” is central to our Catholic faith. It may sound strange at first, but it is the very message Jesus gave us. In John 12:24, He says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” This image of the grain of wheat tells us that new life only comes when something is let go. Just as the seed must fall and be buried before it can grow, we too must surrender parts of ourselves in order to receive the life that God wants to give us.

This teaching is tied directly to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He showed us that true life comes through the cross. By accepting suffering and even death, He opened the way to eternal life for us all. Saint Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life.” In baptism, we die with Christ and rise with Him. This is not just an idea for the future. It is something we live every day.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle” (CCC 2015). This means that following Jesus always involves letting go. It might mean letting go of sin, selfish desires, or even good things that we cling to too tightly. When we release these things, God fills the empty space with His grace. What looks like loss becomes the path to growth.

We also see this truth in the lives of the saints. Saint Francis of Assisi gave up wealth and comfort to live in poverty. To the world, it looked like he was throwing everything away. But in reality, he found the richness of a life filled with God. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux gave up her own plans and lived a hidden life in a convent. She died young, but her “little way” of love continues to bear fruit for the Church. Their lives show us that “dying to live” is not about despair. It is about freedom and trust.

Every day offers us chances to live this teaching. It might be in small sacrifices, like giving up our time to help someone else. It might be in harder choices, like ending a harmful habit or forgiving someone who hurt us. These moments feel like dying in some way. Yet when we say yes to God in these moments, He brings new life. Just as nature shows us the cycle of death and rebirth, our spiritual lives follow the same pattern.

This lesson plan fits into Catholic teaching by giving youth a way to see how this truth is lived out in daily life. It connects Scripture, Church teaching, and real experiences. It helps them understand that letting go is not the end. Instead, it is the doorway to growth, to deeper faith, and to the joy of living fully in Christ.

Music Suggestions

• Because He Lives (Amen)
• I Surrender All
• Take Lord Receive
• More Beautiful
• A Grain of Wheat