This free lesson plan based on John 17:11B-19 offers young people a chance to explore their relationship with Jesus and how they belong to the family of God. It’s a great opportunity to feel more connected and cared for in a spiritual way. Learning about Jesus’ prayer for safety and unity teaches us about the strength and protection we have in being part of God’s family.
When youth engage with this lesson, they learn not just about belonging to God, but also about their role in the world as followers of Jesus. It helps them understand the importance of their choices and the influences around them. This can be a guide for young people to navigate their daily lives with a focus on what truly matters—staying close to God and away from harmful distractions.
This lesson also emphasizes the community aspect of Christianity. It encourages youth to think about their relationships both within the Church and in their everyday lives. Understanding that they are part of a larger community that shares similar values and goals can be very reassuring. It strengthens their sense of belonging and support.
Finally, by discussing how they can actively keep their connection with God strong, this lesson empowers young people. It gives them practical ways to live out their faith. This not only enhances their personal spiritual growth but also lets them contribute positively to their communities. They learn to seek help when needed and to be a source of support for others, enriching their experience as part of God’s family.
Opening Activity
Play “One of these things is not like the others” using this playlist. Or, make up your own game using items from around your house.
- https://youtu.be/_Sgk-ZYxKxM
- https://youtu.be/rsRjQDrDnY8
- https://youtu.be/6b0ftfKFEJg
- https://youtu.be/m6keZIUJBsQ
- https://youtu.be/0WhuikFY1Pg
I hope that game wasn’t too difficult! In this game, there were things which were similar and one which didn’t “belong”. The things which belonged all had some similarities.
There are many things we “belong” to. Our family, clubs, sports, a group of friends.
- What are some other things you belong to?
- What do you share in common in some of these groups?
- Are there differences between the people in these groups also?
- So what does it mean to you to “belong”?
Scripture Reading
Read the gospel:
John 17:11B-19 (Keep Them Safe) – the Gospel Reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter – Year B
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
John 17:11B-19
Discussion
In this gospel, Jesus is talking about keeping his followers safe. That means us! He says that the Father has given us to him. In effect, we belong to him. He speaks of protecting us, guarding us. He knows he will be leaving his earthly body, but he still wants to care for us.
Consider that God is community: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, or Lover, Beloved, Love. To belong to God means that God wants us to be in relationship with Him.
- How does it make you feel to know that you belong to God?
- How is belonging to God similar to belonging to your own family? How is it different?
- What can we do to strengthen the bonds of love within the family of God?
In the gospel, Jesus also makes it clear that we don’t belong to the world. We are in the world, but we should not have the strong attachment to the things of the world which we have to God.
We probably aren’t going to join the “Worldly Club” at school, but when we put things which are not of God before God, then we are saying we belong to those things first. As followers of Jesus, we should strive to follow God first. Jesus warns us that these things are dangerous and we need to be protected from them.
- What are some things of the world which we might be tempted to “belong” to?
- How can we resist letting ourselves become to attached to these things?
- Who can we ask for help when we feel like we are starting to belong to the world instead of Jesus?
Small Group Reflection Questions
Break into small groups for further reflection. Here are some discussion starters:
- What does it mean to you to be kept safe by God?
- How can we help each other feel protected in our community?
- What are some challenges we face in staying true to God in everyday life?
- How does belonging to God change the way we interact with the world?
- What practical steps can we take to strengthen our relationship with God?
Challenge
This week, take some time each day to pray and think about how you are part of God’s family. Reflect on the different ways you feel connected to God. It could be through your family, friends, or moments alone. While you think about these connections, also look for things in your life that might not be good for you. These could be habits, thoughts, or actions that pull you away from being close to God.
As you find these things, ask God to help keep you safe from them. Pray for strength to avoid or overcome these harmful elements. Remember to also say thank you to God for making you a part of His family. Gratitude can make your bond with God stronger and help you see His love in your life more clearly.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for bringing us together today and for the lessons we’ve learned about belonging to Your loving family. Help us to remember Your protection and guidance as we go through our daily lives. Give us the strength to resist the temptations of the world that may lead us astray, and keep our hearts focused on Your truth and love. We are grateful for Your care and ask for Your continued presence in our lives.
Amen.
More Resources for the Who Do You Belong To? Lesson Plan
Themes in this Lesson Plan
- Safety in God’s protection – The lesson highlights how Jesus prays for our safety and protection, emphasizing that we are under God’s care and are kept from harm through His name.
- Belonging to God’s family – This theme explores the idea that we are not just individuals; we are part of a larger, divine family. It encourages reflecting on our deep connection with God and the security that comes from this spiritual belonging.
- Navigating worldly influences – The lesson discusses the challenges of living in a world with values that often conflict with Christian teachings. It helps youth understand the importance of discerning these influences and choosing paths that align with their faith.
- Community and support in faith – It emphasizes the role of the Christian community in supporting each member. The lesson encourages forming bonds within the church and the broader Christian community, enhancing a sense of unity and mutual support.
- Spiritual growth and personal responsibility – The focus here is on personal development through faith. The lesson encourages taking active steps to grow spiritually, such as prayer and seeking guidance, while also taking responsibility for one’s actions and choices in light of Christian teachings.
Background Material
John 17:11B-19, holds significance in Catholic teaching as it offers insight into Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and believers. This passage captures a moment where Jesus prays to the Father, asking for the protection and unity of his followers.
Jesus begins his prayer by addressing God as “Holy Father,” emphasizing the sacred nature of the relationship between God and His children.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us
When we say “our” Father, we recognize first that all his promises of love announced by the prophets are fulfilled in the new and eternal covenant in his Christ: we have become “his” people and he is henceforth “our” God. This new relationship is the purely gratuitous gift of belonging to each other: we are to respond to “grace and truth” given us in Jesus Christ with love and faithfulness.
CCC 2787
Jesus asks the Father to keep his disciples in His name, highlighting the importance of being united in God’s identity and purpose. This reflects Catholic teaching on the unity of believers in Christ, as members of one body, the Church.
Moreover, Jesus acknowledges his role in protecting and guarding his disciples while he was physically present with them on earth. He mentions the fulfillment of Scripture, indicating that his actions are in accordance with God’s divine plan. This aligns with Catholic doctrine, which emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus Christ.
Jesus then expresses his imminent departure from the world but assures his disciples of his continued presence through his words. He desires for them to share in his joy completely, indicating the transformative power of faith and communion with Christ. This underscores the Catholic belief in the joy and peace that come from a deep relationship with Jesus.
Furthermore, Jesus acknowledges the hostility that his disciples may face from the world due to their allegiance to him. He distinguishes between belonging to God and belonging to the world, emphasizing the need for his followers to prioritize their allegiance to God over worldly attachments. This echoes Catholic teaching on detachment from worldly desires and the primacy of God in one’s life.
Jesus prays for the consecration of his disciples in truth, highlighting the importance of living in accordance with God’s Word. This reflects Catholic teaching on the sanctification of believers through the truth revealed in Scripture and tradition. The emphasis on truth aligns with the Catholic belief in the importance of moral and spiritual integrity.
Finally, Jesus commissions his disciples to continue his mission in the world, just as he was sent by the Father. This highlights the role of believers as witnesses to the Gospel message, called to proclaim the truth and love of Christ to the world. This reflects Catholic teaching on the missionary nature of the Church and the call to evangelize all nations.
The Gospel reading from John 17:11B-19 offers insights into Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and believers, emphasizing themes of unity, protection, joy, detachment from the world, truth, and mission. These themes are foundational to Catholic teaching and provide guidance for believers in their journey of faith.
Music Suggestions
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Questions and Answers
Why did Jesus pray for his disciples?
Jesus prayed for his disciples because he cared about them deeply and wanted to keep them safe. He knew he would soon leave them, so he asked God to protect and guide them.
What does it mean to belong to God?
Belonging to God means being part of His family and having a close relationship with Him. It means loving and obeying Him above all else.
Why did Jesus say his followers don’t belong to the world?
Jesus said his followers don’t belong to the world because their loyalty should be to God, not to worldly things like money or fame. He warned them that these things can lead them away from God.
How can we resist the temptations of the world?
We can resist the temptations of the world by staying close to God through prayer, reading the Bible, and asking for help from others who follow Jesus.
What can we do to strengthen our bond with God?
We can strengthen our bond with God by spending time in prayer, going to church, and living according to His teachings. We can also show love and kindness to others, just like Jesus did.
Conclusion
The lesson plan focuses on a Gospel reading where Jesus prays for his disciples, asking God to keep them safe and united. It teaches that as followers of Jesus, we belong to God’s family and should prioritize our relationship with Him over worldly things.
The plan encourages reflection on how we belong to God and how we can resist the temptations of the world. It emphasizes the importance of prayer, staying close to God, and seeking help from others who follow Jesus. By strengthening our bond with God, we can live according to His teachings and find joy in being part of His family.
Join us in trying out this lesson plan! Reflect on how you belong to God and how you can resist worldly temptations. Share your thoughts and any variations you come up with in the comments. Let’s learn from each other as we strive to follow Jesus more closely.
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