What Does Amen Mean? Lesson Plan

Two Truths and a Lie

In this game, each participant takes turns making three statements about themselves, with two of the statements being true and one being a lie. The other participants then have to collectively guess which statement is not true. The person then reveals whether they were right or wrong.

1. Have all participants sit in a circle or around a table.
2. Explain the rules of the game: each person takes turns making three statements about themselves. Two of the statements should be true, and one should be a lie.
3. Encourage participants to make their statements somewhat surprising or unexpected to make the game more engaging.
4. After each person has made their statements, have the other participants collectively guess which statement is the lie.
5. The person who made the statements then reveals whether the group was right or wrong.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until each person in the group has had a turn.

After everyone has had a turn, guide a short discussion with these questions:

• Did you find it easy or hard to figure out the lies? Why?
• Were you surprised by any truths? Which ones?
• What did you learn about your group members from this game?
• How does this game make you think about the importance of truth in what we say and believe?

When you played the game, you probably realized that truth can be tricky to spot sometimes. Even when we think we know what’s true, we can still be surprised. That’s how it is in life, too. We are constantly surrounded by different opinions and messages, and it’s not always easy to tell what’s true and what isn’t. But as Catholics, we have something solid to rely on: the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus told the truth about who He was, why He came, and what we need to do to follow Him. His teachings have been handed down to us through Scripture and Tradition, guided by the Church He founded. That’s why we trust the Church to help us know what is true. Jesus Himself said, “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16). When we listen to the Church, we are listening to Jesus.

One of the greatest truths Jesus revealed to us is about the Eucharist. At Mass, when the bread and wine are consecrated, they truly become His body and blood. This isn’t just a symbol—it’s real. When we receive Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Himself. That’s why we treat the Eucharist with such reverence and care. In a moment, we’ll read from the Gospel of Mark to hear what Jesus says about this incredible gift. Let’s open our hearts to what God wants to teach us today.

Read Mark 14:12-16, 22-26:

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him.

Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.”

The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 – The Gospel for Corpus Christi Year B

Let’s take a closer look at what we just heard in the Gospel of Mark. At the Last Supper, Jesus said words that might sound familiar to you: “Take it; this is my body,” and “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” These words are powerful because they aren’t just symbolic or poetic. Jesus was giving Himself to His disciples in a real and unique way. He wasn’t speaking figuratively; He was speaking truthfully about the Eucharist, which we continue to celebrate at every Mass.

This belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist isn’t new. It’s been part of our faith from the very beginning. St. Paul writes about it in his letter to the Corinthians. He explains how Jesus told His followers to continue this practice: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Notice that Paul doesn’t describe this as just a tradition or a ritual. He makes it clear that the bread truly becomes Christ’s body and the wine becomes His blood. This is why we as Catholics treat the Eucharist with such reverence and care.

Think about what happens at Mass when you go up to receive Communion. The priest or Eucharistic minister holds up the host and says, “The body of Christ.” What do you say in response? Amen. That one little word means so much. When you say amen, you are saying, “Yes, I believe this is truly the body of Christ.” You’re not just agreeing with the words; you’re making a personal statement of faith. You’re saying you trust Jesus, and you believe in His real presence in the Eucharist.

It’s easy to forget the depth of what we’re saying. Maybe we say amen quickly without thinking about it, or we see Communion as something we do out of habit. But the Eucharist is an incredible gift. It’s Jesus Himself, offering His whole self to you—body, blood, soul, and divinity. When you receive Him in Communion, you are united with Him in a deeply personal way. He comes to you not just spiritually but physically, reminding you of His great love and His desire to be with you.

Now, let’s think about how Jesus’ gift calls us to respond. When you say amen, it’s not just about believing in His presence. It’s also about saying “yes” to living the way He calls you to live. It’s saying “yes” to following Him, even when it’s hard. The Eucharist gives you the strength to do that because it fills you with His grace. Jesus wants to help you grow in love, kindness, and faithfulness, and the Eucharist is one of the most powerful ways He does that.

You might wonder why Jesus chose to give us Himself in the form of bread and wine. Bread and wine are simple, ordinary things that people have used for meals for thousands of years. But Jesus takes what is ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Just as bread and wine nourish our bodies, the Eucharist nourishes our souls. Jesus wants to meet us in the simplicity of our daily lives, transforming us from the inside out.

Let’s not take this gift for granted. The next time you say amen at Communion, pause and think about what you’re saying. Remember that you’re agreeing with the Church’s teaching about the Real Presence of Jesus. You’re also saying you want to stay close to Him and live as His disciple. Approach the Eucharist with gratitude and reverence, knowing that Jesus Himself is coming to you.

Take a moment now to reflect on what the Eucharist means to you. Do you fully believe in Jesus’ presence? Are there ways you can deepen your faith in this sacrament? Ask Jesus to help you grow in love for Him and to strengthen your belief. Saying amen is an act of faith, trust, and love. Make it your personal “yes” to Jesus every time you receive Him.

Facilitators, encourage open and respectful sharing in your small groups. Remind participants that there are no wrong answers and that everyone’s thoughts are valuable. Ask the questions one at a time, allowing time for reflection and discussion. Be ready to guide the conversation if needed, but let the group explore their own insights and ideas.

• What does it mean to you personally when you say “amen” at Mass?
• Why do you think Jesus chose bread and wine to represent His body and blood?
• How can you prepare your heart to receive the Eucharist more reverently?
• What does it mean to trust in God when you say “amen” during prayer?
• How does believing in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist change the way you approach Mass?
• Can you think of a time when saying “amen” helped you express your faith in a deeper way?
• How can you live out your “yes” to God in your daily life after receiving the Eucharist?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus gives Himself completely in the Eucharist?

This week, as you go to receive Holy Communion, take a moment to think about what you are saying when you respond with amen. When the priest or Eucharistic minister says, “The body of Christ,” they are making a powerful statement about what you are about to receive. By saying amen, you are declaring your belief that this is truly Jesus—His body, blood, soul, and divinity. You are also saying “yes” to His love and His call to follow Him. Take time to let the meaning of that sink in. Approach the Eucharist with reverence, knowing you are receiving an incredible gift.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you believe more deeply and to understand the mystery of this sacrament. If you ever struggle to grasp the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, ask God to strengthen your faith. Trust that He will guide you and help you grow. As you say amen, think of it as a personal conversation with Jesus, telling Him you believe, trust, and are open to His grace. Let this week be an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to embrace the love He gives in the Eucharist.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of the Eucharist, where Your Son Jesus gives Himself to us completely. Help us to approach this sacrament with faith, love, and reverence. Strengthen our belief in His Real Presence and deepen our understanding of the amen we say.

Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with grace so that we may live out our yes to God in our daily lives. Guide us to trust in His will and follow His example of love and sacrifice.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever. Amen.

Themes

• Truth: The opening game and discussion emphasize the importance of truth and how we can discern truth in our daily lives. This relates to “What does amen mean?” because it is an affirmation of truth.
• Scripture: The lesson plan emphasizes the importance of scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church in understanding what is true and how we should live our lives as Catholics.
• The Eucharist: The lesson plan focuses on the Eucharist, the central sacrament of the Catholic faith, and emphasizes the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
• What Does Amen Mean?: The lesson plan delves into the meaning of “Amen” when responding to the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass and what this statement of faith represents.
• Reverence and Care: The lesson plan emphasizes the importance of treating the Eucharist with reverence and care, recognizing the awesome presence of our Lord in this sacrament. When we think about “What does amen mean?”, we must consider this.
• Reflection: The lesson plan includes opportunities for reflection on the themes of truth, scripture, the Eucharist, and reverence and care, allowing participants to deepen their understanding and faith. It helps youth consider their own answer to the question “What does amen mean?”

Background Material

The Catholic Church believes that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells his disciples that the bread he offers at the Last Supper is his body and the wine is his blood. This belief is also reiterated in St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, where he describes the Last Supper and instructs the early Church to continue this practice in remembrance of Jesus.

The Catholic Church affirms the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which means that we believe that the bread and wine truly become the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. This belief is based on the teachings of scripture and the apostolic tradition, which has been handed down through the Church. It is important to remember this when we ask the question “What does amen mean?”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The Catechism also teaches that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Church’s worship, and that the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is a mystery that can never be fully comprehended by our human minds.

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”

CCC 1324

Overall, the Catholic Church places great emphasis on the Eucharist as the central sacrament of our faith. This lesson plan seeks to deepen participants’ understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and the meaning of “Amen” when responding to the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass.

What does Amen mean? It means that we accept this truth.

Music Suggestions

• “All the People Said Amen” by Matt Maher
• “O Sacrament Most Holy”
• “Make Your Home in Me” by Ben Walther
• “I Am the Bread of Life” by Steve Angrisano
• “Behold the Lamb” by Martin Willett
• “Remembrance” by Matt Maher
• “The Body of Christ” by Sarah Hart

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

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