Living God’s Love in Family

Opening Game: Family Move Mayhem

A funny, fast-paced game to get everyone laughing and moving

You’ll need several signs or index cards labeled with locations (examples: “Nazareth,” “Bethlehem,” “Egypt,” “Galilee,” “Kitchen,” “Garage,” “Living Room”). Place each sign in a different corner or space around the room. One person is “Joseph” and stands in the center. The rest of the group spreads out to any of the labeled locations.

“Joseph” will call out a location, pretending that God just told him to take his family there. Everyone must race to that location (yes, everyone moves—even “Joseph”). But when “Joseph” yells “Family Move Mayhem!” everyone must freeze, and “Joseph” picks a silly family-related challenge for everyone to do on the spot. (See below.) Keep the pace quick and silly.

Challenge examples:

• Pretend you’re packing a donkey for a long trip.
• Act like your whole family is late for church and can’t find their shoes.
• Do a dramatic baby Jesus cry.
• Freeze like a statue because someone just heard Herod is nearby.
• Make the sound of a camel, then try to ride one.
• Pretend you’re cooking a big family dinner with no ingredients.
• Act like you’re trying to calm five kids during a road trip.
• Carry an invisible suitcase while hopping on one foot.
• Pretend you’re Joseph trying to read a map with no directions.
• Do your best “I’m tired of walking” whine.
• Try to get your invisible sheep back into the family herd.
• Act like your whole family just arrived in a brand new town and you’re trying to find the bathroom.
• Pretend you’re trying to get five kids in a car for Mass!

After 5 or 6 rounds, or once everyone is laughing and a bit out of breath, wrap up the game.

Follow-up questions:

• What was the most ridiculous thing you acted out?
• How would you feel if your real family had to keep moving like that?
• What’s one word you’d use to describe what it’s like when your family is rushing around?

That game was pretty wild, right? Constantly moving, reacting, trying to figure out where to go next—it’s a little silly, but it also kind of reminds us what it might have been like for the Holy Family. Imagine trying to protect your family while moving from place to place, with no clear idea of what’s coming next.

In the Gospel we’re going to hear today, the Holy Family—Joseph, Mary, and Jesus—are on the move. Not for fun. Not for vacation. They’re moving to stay safe. They’re listening to God, even when it’s hard. That takes a lot of faith, love, and trust.

So now that we’ve laughed and gotten to know each other a little better, let’s shift our focus. Let’s listen to this story of the Holy Family and think about what it means for our own families. Let’s talk about how we can bring God’s love into the places we live every day.

Read Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (Fleeing to Safety), the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family Year A

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazorean.”

Let’s talk more about how our families can reflect God’s love.

In Matthew 2:13-23, we see that the Holy Family—Joseph, Mary, and Jesus—went through a lot of change. They had to pack up and leave everything behind because Jesus was in danger. They became refugees, living in a new country far from home. When it was finally safe to return, they couldn’t even go back to their original town. Instead, they had to start over again in a new place. That’s a lot of moving, a lot of fear, and a lot of stress.

But even though everything around them kept changing, the Holy Family stayed strong together. Joseph listened to God in his dreams. He didn’t ignore what God told him. He acted quickly and protected his family. Mary supported Joseph and went with him wherever God led. She trusted God, even when the future was unclear. And Jesus, though still a small child, was always at the center of their love and care.

This story teaches us something very important. A holy family is not a family that has everything figured out. It’s not a family that never struggles. A holy family is one that stays close to God and close to each other. It is a family that makes love the center, especially when things are hard. That’s what made the Holy Family special—not an easy life, but a faithful life.

Now, think about your own family. Your family might look very different from someone else’s. Maybe you live with both parents, or maybe just one. Maybe you’re being raised by grandparents, or you live with step-parents, siblings, or other relatives. No matter what your family looks like, God can be at the center of it. God can work in your family just like He worked in the Holy Family.

Let’s be honest—family life isn’t always easy. People argue. People forget things. Sometimes it’s hard to be patient. But God calls each of us to love the people around us, starting with the people we live with. And love isn’t just a feeling. It’s something we do. It’s helping clean up when you’d rather be on your phone. It’s saying sorry when you’ve messed up. It’s listening when someone else is upset, even if you don’t feel like it.

You might not always feel like you can make a difference in your family. But you can. The way you speak to others, the way you help out, the way you pray—it all matters. You can help your family reflect God’s love by being a person of peace, forgiveness, and kindness. That doesn’t mean you’ll always get it right. But trying again is part of what makes a family strong.

One way to start is by praying for your family. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy. Just a simple prayer like, “God, help us to love each other better,” is a good place to begin. You can also ask God to help you be more patient, or to help someone in your family who’s having a hard time. When you pray for your family, you’re inviting God into your home.

The Holy Family didn’t live a perfect life. But they lived a faithful one. And that’s what we’re called to do. Your family might have challenges, just like theirs did. But with God’s help, your family can grow in love, too. You can be part of that. You can help bring God’s love into your home, one small choice at a time.

Invite youth to share honestly, but remind them they don’t have to share anything too personal if they don’t want to. Encourage them to listen respectfully to one another. There are no perfect answers. These questions are meant to help them reflect on their own families and how they can live with love and faith like the Holy Family.

• What part of the Holy Family’s story stood out to you the most? Why?
• What do you think it was like for Joseph to listen to God and protect his family?
• What are some ways your family shows love and care for one another?
• What is something small you can do this week to help your family?
• Have you ever felt like your family was going through a hard or confusing time? How did you handle it?
• Why do you think God wants love to start in the family?
• What does forgiveness look like in your family?
• What can make it hard to be patient or loving at home?
• How can you bring God into your family life more often?
• What is one thing you want to pray for your family today?

Here’s your challenge for the week: try to show God’s love in your family in a real, simple way. It doesn’t have to be big or perfect. Just one small act can make a difference. Pay attention to what’s going on at home. Is someone stressed or tired? Is there a way you can help, listen, or just be kind?

Here are a few ideas to get you started. You could do someone else’s chore without being asked. You could take a moment to say a quiet prayer for your family each day. Or you could write a kind note or text to a family member, just to say thank you or I’m thinking of you. Pick one thing and try it this week. You might be surprised how much it matters.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our minds and open our hearts. We’re going to talk to God together. You can close your eyes if that helps you focus. You don’t have to say anything out loud unless you want to. Just let these words guide your own thoughts and prayers.

God, thank you for giving us the example of the Holy Family.
Thank you for showing us that love, trust, and faith are possible in every family, even during hard times.

Help us to love our families the way you love us.
Help us be kind, patient, and forgiving at home.
When things are hard, remind us that you are with us.
When we make mistakes, help us try again with love.

We pray for our families right now.
For anyone who is hurting, bring peace.
For anyone who is tired, bring rest.
For anyone who feels alone, bring comfort.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—pray for us and our families.
Amen.

Themes for the Living God’s Love in Family Lesson Plan

• Family as a gift: God gives us our families to love and support each other. Even when family life is hard, we are called to care for one another. Love begins at home.
• Listening to God: Joseph listened to God in his dreams and followed His lead. Families are stronger when they pray and seek God’s guidance together. God still speaks to us today.
• Trusting in hard times: The Holy Family faced fear and danger, but they trusted God. Families today also go through struggles. Trust in God helps us stay together.
• Obedience and love: Joseph obeyed God and protected his family. Obedience to God shows love and faith. In families, we also show love by doing what is right.
• Caring for others: Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus. God asks us to care for the people in our lives. Love means putting others first.
• Refugees and safety: The Holy Family had to flee their home. Many people today are also forced to leave home. We are called to welcome and support them.
• God in everyday life: Jesus grew up in an ordinary family. God is present in our daily family life. Holiness can be found at home.
• Forgiveness and patience: Family life is not perfect. We all make mistakes. God calls us to be patient and to forgive each other.
• Jesus understands family: Jesus lived in a family and knows what it’s like. He understands our joys and struggles. We can turn to Him in all situations.
• Strength in unity: The Holy Family stayed together and supported each other. Families grow stronger when they work as a team. God wants us to build each other up.
• Being part of God’s plan: The Holy Family had an important role in salvation history. Our families also have a purpose in God’s plan. Each person has something special to give.

Background Material for the Living God’s Love in Family Lesson Plan

The story of the Holy Family in Matthew 2:13-23 shows what it means to love and trust God as a family. Joseph listens to God’s warnings in dreams. He leads Mary and Jesus to safety. They leave their home, live as refugees in Egypt, and later settle in Nazareth. They go through fear, danger, and uncertainty. But they stay close to each other and to God. This Gospel reminds us that family life is not always easy, but God is with us in the hard times.

The Catholic Church teaches that the family is a “domestic church.” That means it is the first place where we learn about God and how to live in love. In the family, children learn to pray, to forgive, to care for others, and to trust in God. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2205). A loving family reflects God’s love.

The Holy Family is the model for all families. They were not rich or powerful. They faced real danger and hardship. But they stayed faithful. They protected one another. They trusted God’s plan, even when it didn’t make sense. This is a reminder that holiness is possible in ordinary life. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to try to love like God loves.

This Gospel also connects with the Church’s teaching on the dignity of human life and the need to protect the vulnerable. Jesus, as a baby, was in danger from Herod. God told Joseph to act, and he did. In our world today, many families still face fear and violence. Some are forced to leave their homes, just like the Holy Family. The Church calls us to care for those in need, especially children and refugees. When we support families who are suffering, we are living out the Gospel.

This passage also shows the importance of listening to God. Joseph doesn’t speak in the Bible, but he listens and acts. That kind of faith is strong and quiet. Families grow stronger when they pray together and when they try to follow God’s will. God still speaks to us today—in prayer, in Scripture, and through the people around us.

Youth can learn a lot from the Holy Family. They can see that love means sacrifice. That families need each other. And that God works through family life, even in simple and messy moments. This lesson helps youth reflect on their role in the family. It invites them to be more patient, more loving, and more open to God.

By looking at the Holy Family, we can help young people see their homes as places where God’s love can grow. They are not just children or teens in a household. They are part of a sacred mission—to love as God loves, starting right at home.

Music Suggestions for the Living God’s Love in Family Lesson Plan

• Ubi Caritas by Bob Hurd & Pedro Rubalcava
• Counting Every Blessing by Rend Collective
• Blessed Be the Name by Matt Redman

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ideas to help your youth grow in faith? We offer free lesson plans, reflections, and activities for middle school and high school students. Each one is based on Scripture, Church teaching, or the lives of the saints.

Visit our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page to find lessons for Sundays, holy days, and other topics that matter to teens. These resources are made for catechists, teachers, and youth ministers who want to make faith real and active.