Seeing God’s Spirit

Holy Spirit Balloon Pop

This fun and silly game gets everyone moving and laughing right away. You’ll need balloons (one per person), slips of paper, and pens or markers. On each slip of paper, write a goofy “movement challenge” or “sound effect” (examples: act like a chicken, sing a line from a Disney song, hop on one foot while counting to ten, do a slow-motion fall, etc.). Put one paper inside each balloon before blowing them up. You’ll need a few extra adults to help keep the chaos fun and safe.

Have everyone stand in a large circle with a balloon. When you say “Go,” they must pop their balloon in any safe way (sit on it, squeeze it, stomp it gently—no sharp objects!). Once the balloon is popped, they must read their paper out loud and perform the action in front of the group. Keep it moving quickly to keep the energy up. Make sure to cheer and laugh with each one!

Follow-up questions:

• What was your favorite or funniest challenge?
• Was it hard to be silly in front of the group?
• Did anything surprise you during the game?

That game probably got a little wild—and maybe a little embarrassing—but you all did great! It’s funny how something simple, like a balloon, can hold a surprise inside. You didn’t know what you were getting until you popped it, and then you had to do something unexpected. Sometimes life with God feels a little like that.

The Holy Spirit often works in quiet or surprising ways. We don’t always know when or how the Spirit is going to show up. But just like those balloons, we’re invited to be open and ready—especially when God’s message might stretch us or challenge us a bit.

Today we’re going to read a passage where someone sees a big sign from God and knows exactly what it means. John the Baptist sees Jesus and calls him the Lamb of God. He recognizes that Jesus is the one God promised. Let’s listen closely and talk about how we can learn to see the Holy Spirit working in our lives too.

Read John 1:29-34 (John the Baptist Testifies), the Gospel for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’

I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening in John 1:29-34. This is one of the most important moments in the beginning of Jesus’ public life. John the Baptist sees Jesus coming and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

That’s a big statement. John doesn’t just call Jesus a teacher or a prophet. He calls him the Lamb of God. That tells us something important—Jesus came to offer his life for us, like the lambs that were sacrificed in the temple long ago. Then John explains why he believes this. He saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus. That was the sign God had told him to watch for. That’s how John knew Jesus was the Son of God.

But here’s something we should notice—John didn’t figure this out by himself. He didn’t guess. He didn’t just go with what other people were saying. He saw a sign. The Holy Spirit revealed something to him, and John was paying attention. He was ready to see it. That takes faith. It takes trust. It takes quiet listening. John had spent his life preparing for this. He was watching and waiting for the moment when God would show him the truth.

Now let’s bring this into our world today. You may not see a dove fly down from the sky and land on someone. But that doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit isn’t active. God’s Spirit is still moving and working in the world, even if it doesn’t look dramatic. Maybe you’ve felt a deep sense of peace during a quiet moment of prayer. Maybe you’ve noticed a friend doing something kind that made your day better. Maybe you’ve had that feeling in your heart that helped you know the right thing to do—even when it wasn’t easy.

Those small moments can be the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit doesn’t always show up in big, loud ways. Sometimes the Spirit shows up in silence. In kindness. In truth. In courage. In love. If we’re not paying attention, we might miss it. And let’s be honest—life is full of distractions. There’s school, sports, phones, social media, noise, pressure, stress. It’s easy to get caught up in it all and stop noticing what God is doing around us.

But John the Baptist shows us a different way. He shows us how to be ready. How to notice. How to trust what God is doing. If you take time to slow down, to be quiet, and to look at what’s happening around you, you might be surprised. Maybe you’ll see someone help a classmate who’s having a hard day. Maybe you’ll feel moved to pray for someone who’s struggling. Maybe you’ll get that little push inside that says, “You should say something kind,” or “You should help.” That’s probably the Holy Spirit.

So here’s something simple to try: Ask yourself each day, “Where did I see love today?” “Where did I see hope?” “Where did I see someone help another person?” These are the places where God is working. The Spirit is still coming down—not always as a dove, but maybe in the form of a friend who listens, a teacher who cares, or a stranger who smiles.

John the Baptist was ready. He saw Jesus, and he pointed him out to others. We can do that too. We can look for where Jesus is moving in our lives. And when we see it, we can share it. That’s how the Spirit keeps moving—from one person to the next. Let’s start watching. Let’s start listening. Let’s let the Spirit guide us.

When working in small groups, encourage everyone to share, but don’t force anyone to speak. Remind the group that listening is just as important as talking. Try to create a space where youth feel safe and respected. Let them know there are no wrong answers. These questions are meant to help them think about their own experiences and how the Holy Spirit might be working in their lives.

• What part of the scripture reading stood out to you the most? Why?
• Have you ever felt like God was trying to show you something? What happened?
• What do you think it means to say Jesus is the Lamb of God?
• John the Baptist saw a sign from God. What are some ways God might show us things today?
• Can you think of a time when someone did something kind or loving that made you feel closer to God?
• How do you try to listen to the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
• What are some things that make it hard to notice the Spirit?
• Where have you seen love, peace, or truth recently?
• What does it mean to be a witness for Jesus in your own life?
• How can we support each other in paying attention to what the Spirit is doing?

Here’s your challenge for the week: pay attention to where you see God’s Spirit moving in your life. Look for signs of love, peace, kindness, or truth. These are often the ways the Holy Spirit shows up. Take just a few minutes each day—maybe before bed or on the way to school—to think back on your day. Ask yourself, “Where did I see God today?” Write it down or say a short prayer to thank God for that moment.

You can also try two simple things this week. First, do one kind thing for someone without being asked—maybe helping a classmate, encouraging a friend, or being extra patient with your family. Second, find a quiet moment to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see what God wants you to notice. It doesn’t have to be long—just be honest and open. Let God speak in the silence.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and minds. Sit comfortably, close your eyes if you want, and take a deep breath. Let’s pray together.

Loving God,
thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Thank you for showing us your love through him.
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit,
who helps us see, listen, and follow you.

Help us to notice the Spirit in our lives this week.
In the people we meet, in the choices we make,
in the quiet moments when we stop and listen.
Give us open hearts and open eyes.
Teach us to be like John the Baptist,
always ready to see Jesus and point others to him.

Holy Spirit, guide us,
fill us with peace,
and help us live with love.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Themes for the Seeing God’s Spirit Lesson Plan

• Recognizing God’s presence: John noticed the Spirit. We are also invited to notice where God is working around us. This helps us stay close to Jesus.
• The Holy Spirit acts: John saw the Spirit come down like a dove. This shows the Spirit is real and active. The Spirit still moves in our lives today.
• Faith requires trust: John believed what he saw. He didn’t know everything, but he trusted God’s message. We are called to trust, even when we don’t understand.
• Sharing what we believe: John spoke up about Jesus. We are called to share our faith too. It can be simple, like talking about how we see God in our day.
• Listening to God: John listened to what God told him about Jesus. We can listen in prayer, silence, and scripture. God speaks in many ways.
• Jesus is the Son of God: John says this clearly. Our faith is built on this truth. Knowing who Jesus is helps us know who we are.
• The power of Baptism: The Spirit came down at Jesus’ baptism. Our baptism gives us the Spirit too. It marks the start of our life with God.
• Watching for signs: John paid attention to what God showed him. We can learn to do the same. God often works in quiet ways.
• Being a witness: John told others about Jesus. We are all invited to be witnesses. This can be through our actions, our words, and our choices.
• Jesus is the Lamb: John calls Jesus the Lamb of God. This reminds us that Jesus gave his life for us. It connects to the Mass where we hear these same words.
• Following God’s plan: John had a special role in God’s plan. Each of us does too. When we say yes to God, great things can happen.

Background Material for the Seeing God’s Spirit Lesson Plan

This lesson is based on John 1:29-34, where John the Baptist points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This is one of the first times in the Gospel that Jesus is clearly identified as the Savior. John also explains that he saw the Holy Spirit come down like a dove and stay with Jesus. This helped him understand that Jesus is the Son of God.

This moment is important in Catholic teaching. It shows the connection between Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the mission of salvation. John the Baptist is acting as a witness. He is not pointing to himself. He is pointing to Jesus. That is a model for all of us. We are called to help others see Jesus through what we say and do.

The image of the “Lamb of God” is rich with meaning. It connects back to the Old Testament, where lambs were offered as sacrifices. The lamb at Passover was a sign of freedom and protection. Jesus is the true Lamb, the one who takes away sin and gives new life. We say “Lamb of God” at every Mass. This reminds us that Jesus gave his life for us, and that we receive him in the Eucharist.

The coming of the Holy Spirit in this passage also reminds us of our own baptism and confirmation. We believe that the Holy Spirit is given to us, just like the Spirit came to Jesus. The Catechism says, “The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ” (CCC 737). This means the Spirit is always at work, helping us get closer to Jesus. We may not see a dove, but the Spirit is still real and present.

This lesson also touches on the idea of recognizing God’s presence. John the Baptist was open and alert. He saw what others missed. He had eyes of faith. Catholic teaching encourages us to do the same. We are not alone. God is with us, and his Spirit moves in our world, even in quiet ways.

Youth today need to know that God is still speaking. He may speak through scripture, through prayer, or through other people. The Church teaches us to be ready to listen and respond. This lesson helps youth slow down, reflect, and look for how God is present in their lives.

Finally, John the Baptist reminds us that our faith is not just about what we believe, but what we do with it. He was a voice, a guide, and a witness. We are invited to be the same. When we notice where God is working, we can share that with others. That is how faith spreads—one witness at a time.

Music Suggestions for the Seeing God’s Spirit Lesson Plan

• Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
• Come Holy Spirit by by Matt Maher and Martin Smith
• Oceans by Hillsong United

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ways to connect youth with the Gospel? Our youth ministry lesson plans and reflections page has many free resources. These lessons are made to help middle school and high school students grow in faith. Each one is based on scripture or Church teaching and includes ideas for prayer, discussion, and activities.

Whether you’re planning a youth group night, religion class, or small group session, you’ll find something helpful. Visit our page to explore topics like the sacraments, the saints, social justice, and more. Everything is free to use and easy to adapt. Find more ideas at our youth ministry lesson plans and reflections page.