What Is Love?

This opening activity sets the stage for the rest of the lesson. Give each youth a pencil and a piece of paper. Tell them they will have one minute to write down everything they love, as quickly as they can. After the time is up, invite them to share some of their answers with the group. Then move into the follow-up questions and short reflection below to help them start thinking about the difference between liking something and truly loving someone.

Alright, let’s start. Everyone take your paper and pencil. You’ve got one minute to write down everything you love. Don’t overthink it. Just write whatever comes to mind as fast as you can. Ready? Go!

Time’s up! Put your pencils down. Now let’s hear some of your answers. What kinds of things ended up on your lists? Maybe you wrote down foods, hobbies, friends, or family. Maybe you even wrote down your pets. Take a moment to share a few of them with the group.

Now, here’s a question for you. How many of those things would you actually be willing to make a sacrifice for? Think about it. Is there something on your list that matters so much that you would be willing to give up all the others just for that one? This makes us think about the depth of our love and what it really means to value something or someone above everything else.

Love can mean many different things, right? If I say I love ice cream, that’s very different than saying I love my best friend. Ice cream is nice, but if I had to make a choice, I’d be willing to give it up to help a friend. Real love means sacrifice. It means choosing someone else’s good, even when it costs us something.

So now, go back through your list and scratch off the things you only like, even if you like them a lot. Those are the ice cream type things. Keep only the things and people you truly love. We’ll use this list as we move into the next part of our discussion together.

Read the gospel:

John 10:11-18 (Jesus the Good Shepherd) – the Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter – Year B

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.

This command I have received from my Father.”

John 10:11-18

When Jesus talks about love, He is not talking about the kind of love we mean when we say we love ice cream or pizza. That kind of love is really more like saying, “I enjoy this.” It feels good for a moment, but it doesn’t ask much of us. The love that Jesus shows us is much deeper. It is sacrificial love. This means it is a love that gives, even when it is hard, even when it costs something. Jesus shows us this most clearly when He says that He is the Good Shepherd. A shepherd cares for his sheep, protects them, and even risks his own life for them. Jesus says He is willing to lay down His life for us. That is how much He loves you.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus’ love for you has no limits. He doesn’t love you just when you are doing well or when you feel holy. He loves you even when you mess up, even when you make mistakes. His love doesn’t stop because you had a bad day or because you made the wrong choice. It is steady and strong. So ask yourself: how does it feel to know that Jesus’ love is that big? Do you find comfort in knowing that He will never leave you? Can you trust Him because His love is so faithful?

When life is stressful, or when fear creeps in, it can be easy to feel alone. But Jesus’ love means you are never truly by yourself. He understands what it feels like to struggle. He understands pain, sadness, and even betrayal. When you picture Him as the Good Shepherd, imagine Him gently leading you, protecting you, and calling you by name. What emotions come to mind? Do you feel safe? Do you feel cared for? That image is not just a nice picture. It’s a promise that His love is real in your life today.

Now, if we go back to the list of things we said we love, it makes us think. How many of those would we be willing to make a real sacrifice for? Would you be willing to give something up for them? Would you be willing to choose someone else’s good over your own comfort? That is what sacrificial love asks. It doesn’t always mean giving up your life like Jesus did, but it often means making smaller choices that cost something.

Let’s think through a few examples. Imagine you try out for the school play. You really want the lead role, but your best friend gets it instead. You feel disappointed, maybe even jealous. But here’s the question: can you choose to be happy for her, because she truly has talent? Loving her in this moment might mean sacrificing your pride. It might mean setting aside your own desire to be in the spotlight. If you can do that, you free yourself from bitterness, and you can truly celebrate her success. That’s love in action.

Or picture this: you are invited to a fun party, but your mom asks you to babysit your little brother instead. At first, you might feel upset. You might even be tempted to show your frustration by being short or grumpy with him. But think about love. Love says, “I care about my family.” Choosing to babysit with a willing spirit, even when it costs you something, is a sacrifice. It shows real love for your family, because you’re putting their needs ahead of your own wants.

Here’s another situation: you’ve saved up some money to buy new clothes. You don’t really need them, but they’re trendy and you want to fit in. Then you hear a missionary speak about children who don’t even have school uniforms. Your heart stirs. What if you chose to give up some of that money to help those kids? That’s love too. It’s not love for yourself, but love for people you’ve never met. This kind of love stretches you, but it also fills you with joy.

So think about your own life. Can you recall a time when you made a sacrifice because you cared about someone else? Maybe you gave up your time to help a friend study. Maybe you stood up for someone who was being teased, even though it was hard. Maybe you helped at home when you were tired. Those are real moments of love.

Sacrificial love isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels like you’re giving up too much. It can feel unfair. But there are also moments when it feels natural. It feels right. When you love your little brother, for example, it can be easy to help him because you know he depends on you. Love motivates us to act in ways that surprise even ourselves.

When we look at Jesus as our example, it helps. He shows us that love is not about getting what we want. It is about choosing what is best for others. And even when we fail, His love never stops. That is important to remember. If you find yourself struggling to love, go to Him in prayer. Picture the Good Shepherd. Tell Him what’s hard. Ask Him for the courage to love in the way He loves.

And remember this: every act of sacrificial love matters. Even if no one else notices, Jesus sees it. He sees your effort, your choices, your struggles. He is proud of you. And if you can’t bring yourself to make the sacrifice, He still loves you completely. That never changes. So hold on to that love. Let it give you strength to choose love in your daily life, in both small and big ways. That is how you begin to live like the Good Shepherd.

When you break into small groups, remind everyone that this is a safe place to share. Encourage the youth to listen to each other with respect. No one should feel pressured to speak, but invite each person to share if they are comfortable. Remind them that what is said in the group should stay in the group, unless someone shares something that is unsafe. The goal is to grow together in understanding love and how Jesus calls us to live it.

• What does the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd mean to you?
• Have you ever experienced a time when someone sacrificed for you? How did it make you feel?
• Can you think of a moment when you had to make a small sacrifice for someone else? What happened?
• Why do you think it is hard to love others when it means giving something up?
• How does knowing that Jesus loves you so much help you when life is stressful?
• What is one way you can show sacrificial love to someone in your family this week?
• What is one way you can show sacrificial love to someone outside your family?
• Has there been a time when you found joy in choosing someone else’s good over your own wants?
• How do you see love at work in your group of friends or in this youth group?
• What do you want to remember about Jesus’ love for you from this lesson?

This week your challenge is to practice real love in small but important ways. Remember, love is more than just a feeling. It’s about making choices that put someone else first. Look for moments where you can make a little sacrifice to show you care. It might mean giving up some of your time, your comfort, or even your pride. These small acts matter, and they help you grow closer to Jesus, who shows us what sacrificial love looks like.

Here are some ways you can do this. If you see a friend who is having a rough day, take time to listen instead of rushing off to do your own thing. At home, choose to help with chores without being asked, even if you’d rather relax. Or think about skipping a small treat you were planning to buy and give the money to someone who needs it more. These are simple acts, but they show real love. Try one or two of them this week, and notice how it changes your heart.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and pray together. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Remember that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is here with us right now.

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what real love looks like. You gave Your life for us, and You keep calling us back to You. Help us to understand that love is more than words. It is choosing to care for others, even when it costs something.

Teach us to see chances each day to show love in small ways. Give us the courage to let go of pride, to be kind when it’s hard, and to help even when we don’t feel like it. Remind us that You are always with us, guiding us and caring for us.

Good Shepherd, we place our lives in Your hands. Lead us in Your love, so that we can love others the way You love us. Amen.

Themes

• Sacrificial love: Jesus shows us that real love gives, even when it costs something. He lays down His life for us. We are called to live that kind of love in our daily choices.
• Trust in Jesus: The image of the Good Shepherd reminds us that we can trust Him completely. He cares for us and knows us by name. His love is steady even when life is hard.
• Loving others daily: Love is not just a big action. It is found in small sacrifices, like helping at home or supporting a friend. These choices show real care for others.
• Value of community: Jesus speaks of one flock and one shepherd. We are meant to live in unity as His Church. Love brings people together and strengthens the community.
• Forgiveness as love: Letting go of resentment is an act of love. Forgiveness frees our hearts and helps us move forward. It reflects the mercy Jesus shows us.
• Service to others: Love leads us to serve without expecting rewards. Acts of service show kindness and compassion. They bring Christ’s love into the world.
• Faith in action: Love is not just words but actions. When we love as Jesus loves, we live out our faith. This makes the Gospel visible in everyday life.
• Following Jesus’ example: He is our model for love. His choices guide us in how we treat others. We learn to put others first by watching Him.
• Hope in Christ: Knowing Jesus loves us gives hope in struggles. His care brings comfort and peace. Love keeps us moving forward even when we face challenges.
• Call to holiness: Every act of love draws us closer to God. Holiness is found in living with love each day. Small sacrifices shape us to be more like Christ.
• Love for strangers: Jesus’ love is not limited to those close to Him. He calls us to love even those we do not know. This widens our hearts and makes us part of His mission.
• Strength from prayer: Prayer connects us to the Good Shepherd. In prayer we find the courage to love when it is hard. It keeps our focus on Jesus.

Background Material

Love is at the center of our Catholic faith. From the beginning of the Bible to the teachings of the Church today, love is shown as the heart of who God is and what He calls us to live. In this lesson, youth are invited to see the difference between liking something and truly loving someone. More importantly, they are invited to see love as Jesus lived it: a love that sacrifices.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He says, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). This is the clearest picture of sacrificial love. Jesus does not run away when danger comes. He stays and protects, even if it means giving His own life. This is not a love of comfort or gain. It is a love that costs everything. This truth is at the heart of the Christian life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “To love is to will the good of another” (CCC 1766). Love is not just about feelings. It is about choosing what is best for someone else, even when it is hard. This is what separates Christian love from simple affection. Feelings may change, but true love remains when we make choices for the good of others.

Jesus makes this command very clear in the Gospel. When asked what the greatest commandment is, He replies, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). The Christian life is built on love of God and love of neighbor. These cannot be separated. To follow Jesus is to live both.

Saint Paul also gives us a strong picture of love in 1 Corinthians 13. He writes, “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). These words show that love is more than a passing emotion. Love is shown in action and attitude. It shapes the way we treat others every day.

The Church teaches that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the fullest example of love. “The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the ‘one mediator between God and men’” (CCC 618). His death was not forced on Him. He chose it out of love for us. This shows the youth that love is not about getting what we want. It is about giving ourselves for others.

This lesson plan helps youth see how these teachings connect to their own lives. By thinking about what they are willing to sacrifice, they learn that love asks for more than words. It asks for choices. Even small sacrifices, like forgiving a friend or giving time to family, reflect the love of Christ. In learning this, they grow closer to Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd and the greatest example of love.

Music Suggestions

• Hold Us Together
• Love Is Alive
• Love Goes On
• Reckless Love
• How He Loves
• One Thing Remains