What Jesus Thinks Success Looks Like

Heavenly Hall of Fame

This game is a silly and high-energy way to break the ice and get youth thinking about success. It also gives them a chance to laugh and work together before jumping into the lesson. You’ll need slips of paper, pens, a bowl, and some creativity.

Instructions for the Facilitator:
Before the session, write down a mix of funny, fake “Hall of Fame” awards on slips of paper. Examples:
Most Likely to Trip Over Nothing
Fastest Snack Disappearing Act
Loudest Backpack Zipper in Church
Best Use of Air Guitar in a Serious Moment
Most Creative Excuse for Not Doing Homework
Master of the Dramatic Eye Roll
Quietest Yawner During Prayer Time
Best Fake Laugh at the Leader’s Joke

Put all the slips in a bowl. Gather the group in a circle. Have each person draw one slip and announce it out loud with a fun acceptance speech. Encourage drama and silliness—Oscar-style speeches are welcome! If your group is large, you can split into smaller groups and vote for the funniest speech from each.

Optional twist: Include one or two “serious” or “holy” ones, like Most Likely to Help a Friend in Need or Best Listener During Prayer Time to gently introduce deeper ideas.

Follow-up Questions for the Group:

• Which award would you actually want to win in real life?
• Which awards do you think the world would take seriously?
• Do you think Jesus would give out any of these awards?

Alright, that was fun! Some of you gave award-winning speeches—literally. We laughed about silly kinds of success, but let’s be real for a second. The world really does give out awards and attention for some funny reasons. People get praised for having the best clothes, the most followers, or the loudest voice in the room.

But what about the kind of success Jesus talks about? He doesn’t hand out trophies or crowns for being rich, strong, or popular. Instead, He talks about being poor in spirit, gentle, merciful, and even being picked on for doing the right thing. That probably wouldn’t make headlines today, but it matters to Him.

So now we’re going to shift gears a bit. We’re going to read a part of the Gospel of Matthew—chapter 5, verses 1 through 12. It’s called the Beatitudes. In this passage, Jesus tells us what kind of life leads to real joy, real strength, and real success in God’s eyes. Let’s read it together and talk about what it means for us today.

Read Matthew 5:1-12A (), the Gospel for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

When you hear the word “success,” what comes to mind? Maybe you think of someone who has a big house, a lot of money, or a job that everyone wants. Maybe you think of someone who wins every game, gets straight A’s, or has a ton of followers online. That’s what the world says success looks like—being the best, getting ahead, and making sure everyone notices you.

But Jesus doesn’t think like that. In Matthew 5:1-12A, He gives us a list called the Beatitudes. It’s His way of showing us what real success looks like in God’s kingdom. And it’s very different from what we usually hear. Jesus doesn’t say, “Blessed are the rich” or “Blessed are the popular.” Instead, He says things like, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” “Blessed are the meek,” and “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” That might sound confusing at first, but it shows us what matters most to God.

Let’s break it down a little. When Jesus says “poor in spirit,” He means the people who know they need God. These are people who don’t pretend to have it all together. They are honest with themselves and with God. When He talks about the meek, He’s not talking about weak people. Meekness is strength under control. It’s choosing peace and patience when you could choose anger. And when Jesus blesses those who are persecuted, He’s reminding us that even when others reject us for doing the right thing, we are not alone. God is with us, and He sees our courage.

The world tells you that being successful means being on top. But Jesus says success means being faithful. It means loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbor—especially when it’s hard. Being merciful, making peace, and doing what’s right even when no one is watching—these are the signs of someone living a holy life. And that kind of life leads to heaven.

Here’s the thing. You probably won’t win an award for being honest when it would have been easier to lie. You won’t get a trophy for being kind to the kid that everyone else ignores. In fact, people might laugh at you or leave you out when you choose to live this way. But Jesus sees you. He knows your heart. And He calls you blessed.

Blessed doesn’t always mean happy in the way we usually think about it. It means that you are close to God. It means you are on the right path. It means your life is headed in the direction that leads to joy that never ends. That’s the kind of success Jesus wants for you—not just for today, but forever.

So, the next time you feel like you’re not enough because you don’t have what the world says you should have, remember what Jesus says. If you are trying to love, forgive, and be kind, you are already on the right track. You don’t need to impress the world. You just need to follow Jesus. That is what success looks like in the kingdom of God. And that’s the only kind of success that really matters.

When working with small groups, encourage everyone to share, but make it clear that no one is forced to speak. Remind the youth that listening to others is just as important as talking. Be patient during quiet moments, and give them time to think. Keep the conversation respectful and focused on what Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes. Use the questions below to guide the discussion, but feel free to follow where the conversation naturally goes.

• What do you think most people your age believe success looks like?
• Have you ever felt like you had to be the best to be accepted?
• Which of the Beatitudes do you find hardest to understand? Why?
• Can you think of someone in your life who lives like the Beatitudes describe?
• Have you ever been made fun of or left out because of your faith or your values?
• What does being “meek” or “merciful” look like in your school or home?
• How would your life look different if you followed the Beatitudes more closely?
• Which Beatitude do you want to grow in right now? Why?
• How can this lesson help you make choices in the week ahead?
• What do you think Jesus wants you to remember most from today?

Here’s your challenge for the week: pick one Beatitude and try to live it out every day. Choose one that really speaks to you. Maybe it’s being merciful, making peace, or staying kind even when others aren’t. Ask Jesus to help you live that Beatitude, even when it’s hard. Keep it in your heart all week and pay attention to the times when you get the chance to act on it.

Here are a few ways to try it. If you choose mercy, forgive someone who upset you or give someone a second chance. If you choose peace, step away from gossip or help solve a problem calmly. If you choose meekness, let someone else go first or stay patient when you’re annoyed. It doesn’t have to be big. Small choices matter. Try to do at least one thing each day that shows you are following Jesus, even if no one else sees it.

Let’s take a moment to be still. Take a deep breath and quiet your heart. We’ve talked a lot today about what success really looks like. We’ve seen how Jesus turns the world’s idea of success upside down. Now we’ll take all of that and bring it to God in prayer.

As we pray, think about the Beatitude that stood out to you. Ask Jesus to help you live it out this week. Know that He sees your heart and walks with you every step of the way. He blesses you even when life feels hard. He calls you to live with love, mercy, and courage.

Let’s pray the Litany of the Beatitudes together:

Lord have mercy … Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy … Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy … Lord have mercy

Blessed are the poor in spirit … theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the mourning … they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek … they will inherit the land
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness … they will be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful … they will receive mercy
Blessed are the clean in heart … they will see God
Blessed are those who work for peace … they will be called children of God
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness … theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Lord Jesus Christ … hear our prayer
Savior of the world … hear our prayer
Comfort of the sorrowing … hear our prayer
Refuge of the weak … hear our prayer
Seeker of justice … hear our prayer
Brother to the outcast … hear our prayer
Merciful Lord … hear our prayer
Light to sinners … hear our prayer
Prince of peace … hear our prayer
Redeemer of the world … hear our prayer

Amen.

Leader Note: A printable version of the Litany of the Beatitudes is available here.

Themes for the Beatitudes Lesson Plan

• Success in God’s Eyes: Jesus teaches that real success comes from loving God and others. It’s not about fame or wealth. It’s about living with faith and kindness.
• The Beatitudes Matter: The Beatitudes show us the values of the kingdom of God. They are different from the world’s values. Jesus calls us blessed when we live this way.
• Living with Humility: Being humble means not thinking you are better than others. Jesus says the meek are blessed. This helps us grow in love and patience.
• Trusting God in Hard Times: Some blessings come through suffering. Jesus reminds us that God is with us when life is hard. He gives us hope and strength.
• Being Merciful to Others: Showing mercy is part of how we live like Jesus. Forgiving others and being kind is not always easy. But it brings peace to our hearts.
• Standing Up for What’s Right: Jesus blesses those who seek justice. This means speaking up when things are wrong. It shows love for others and respect for God’s truth.
• Making Peace with Others: Peacemakers are called children of God. That means helping others get along and working to stop fights. Jesus wants us to be part of healing the world.
• Real Joy Comes from God: The world says happiness comes from stuff. But Jesus says joy comes from being close to God. This kind of joy lasts forever.
• Being Faithful When Mocked: Sometimes people laugh at or tease believers. Jesus says we are blessed when that happens. Staying faithful brings us closer to Him.
• Following Jesus Daily: The Beatitudes are not just ideas. They are a way to live every day. They help us follow Jesus more closely.
• Learning from the Saints: Many saints lived by the Beatitudes. They gave up comfort to follow Jesus. Their lives show us how to do the same.

Background Material for the Beatitudes Lesson Plan

The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:1-12A, are the heart of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In these verses, Jesus tells us what it means to be truly blessed. His words may sound strange at first. He calls the poor in spirit, the meek, the mourning, and the persecuted “blessed.” Most people today would not say these things are signs of success. But Jesus teaches a new way to live—a way that leads to heaven.

This teaching is important for helping young people understand what matters most in life. Many youth are surrounded by messages that say success comes from money, popularity, looks, or being the best. But Jesus says success is not about having more or doing better than others. It’s about having a heart that is open to God and willing to love others. That is what the Beatitudes are all about.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the Beatitudes “respond to the natural desire for happiness” (CCC 1718). Deep down, everyone wants to be happy. But real happiness does not come from things that fade. It comes from knowing God, living in His love, and doing what is right. The Beatitudes help us live that kind of life.

The Catechism also says that the Beatitudes “depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity” (CCC 1717). This means the Beatitudes show us who Jesus is. They also show us how to live like Him. When we follow the Beatitudes, we become more like Christ. We act with mercy. We make peace. We stay faithful even when others reject us. We choose to live in love, just as He did.

This lesson connects to Catholic teaching in many ways. The Church has always taught that our goal is not just to be successful in the world, but to become saints. Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati all lived the Beatitudes in simple, faithful ways. They remind us that holiness comes in many forms. Anyone can live this way—with God’s help.

Pope Francis often talked about living with humility, mercy, and justice. In his apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, he writes that the Beatitudes are “a Christian’s identity card.” He means that if we want to know what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus, we should look at the Beatitudes. They are the path to holiness.

By teaching the Beatitudes, we help young people understand that their worth is not in their grades, their looks, or their wins. Their worth is in being children of God. This lesson helps them grow in faith and trust. It reminds them that Jesus sees them, loves them, and calls them blessed when they follow His way.

Music Suggestions for the Beatitudes Lesson Plan

• The Beatitudes by Francesca LaRosa
• All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters
• Lead Me Lord by John D. Becker

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ideas to help youth grow in their faith? We have a collection of free lesson plans and reflections to use in youth ministry, religious education, and classroom settings. These lessons are based on Scripture, Church teachings, saints, and real-life issues.

Each plan is designed to get young people thinking and talking about their faith. They include prayers, discussion questions, and activities that are easy to use. Check out our full list of youth ministry lesson plans and reflections.