What Are You Afraid Of?

Start by playing a game which involves a little fear. You will need some strange flavored jelly beans. Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans are a good option. Beanboozled beans are much stronger and the gross ones are really gross.

To play, the player randomly chooses a jelly bean. It could be a delicious flavor or a disgusting one. (Don’t show them the key. Blindfolding players is also a possibility.)

Once the player has the jelly bean, everyone can have some fun guessing what the flavor will be. Then the player eats the jelly bean. You will know by the look on his or her face if it was a nice flavor or a not so nice flavor.

Have some water on hand to let the players wash the flavor out of their mouths. 🙂

Note: Do not force youth to eat a jelly bean. Nobody should have to participate unwillingly.

Fear is a part of life. We are trained to respond to fear. It gets our blood pumping and sometimes even gives us a little rush.

• What are some scary things people do for fun? (Amusement park rides, scary movie, eat a jelly bean that might be gross, etc.)
• Why are you willing to do these things?
• Have you ever done something scary for fun and it turned out to be too scary?

When we frighten ourselves for a thrill, it is something we do where we know we won’t get hurt. And we know it is temporary.

But sometimes, we have to deal with bigger fears in our lives.

Read the gospel:

Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus calms the storm) – the Gospel Reading for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Mark 4:35-41

Let’s think about that storm the disciples were caught in. Many of them were fishermen, so storms were not new to them. They had probably faced bad weather before and knew how to handle a boat when the waves got rough. But this storm was different. It was so strong and so frightening that they were certain they were going to die. They were terrified, even though they were experienced and capable men. That tells us just how serious it was. This was not a little scare for fun. This was a fear that reached deep into their hearts.

Sometimes in life we have fears like that. They are not like the kind of fear you feel on a roller coaster or when you eat a strange jelly bean. Those are fears we choose, and they pass quickly. But real fear, the kind the disciples felt, comes when something threatens us, or those we love. It could be fear about the safety of your family, fear of losing a friend, or fear of the future. These fears feel big, and they can seem overwhelming.

I’d like each of you to take a note card and a pencil. Think about the fears you carry inside. Write down one or two of them. Do not write your name. This is not about anyone knowing your personal secrets. It is about being honest with yourself and recognizing what weighs on your heart. Sometimes just writing down a fear helps you to face it. When we are done, we’ll gather the cards and read them out loud. You’ll hear that you are not the only one with fears. You might find that others share the same struggles you do.

Hearing that someone else has the same fear can be a relief. It reminds us that we are not strange or weak for being afraid. Fear is something all people deal with. Even saints and holy people in the Bible were afraid at times. The disciples themselves, who walked right beside Jesus, were afraid of drowning in that storm. If they could be afraid, then it is normal for us to feel fear too.

When we share these fears together, it can bring us closer as a group. We begin to understand each other better and to support each other. Sometimes just knowing that someone else understands what you are going through can make a big difference. Think about how much easier a heavy load feels when someone else helps you carry it. That is what happens when we share our fears. The weight gets lighter.

Now let’s think again about what happened in the gospel. The disciples cried out to Jesus in their fear. They thought He was not paying attention, because He was asleep. But the moment they called to Him, He responded. He stood up, told the wind to stop, and suddenly there was calm. He reminded them that faith is the answer to fear. Faith does not always take away the storm, but it does remind us that we are not alone in it.

Jesus never promised us that life would be without storms. He did not say that nothing bad would ever happen to us. What He did promise was that He would be with us, always. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us courage. So when we are afraid, we can trust that He is right there, listening and ready to help.

Think about your own life. What can you do when you feel fear rising inside of you? Maybe it helps to talk to a trusted friend or an adult. Maybe it helps to pray and simply tell Jesus how you are feeling. Sometimes it even helps to pause, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that God is with you. You don’t have to carry fear alone.

Your faith can be a powerful gift in those moments. When you worry about a test, or when you are upset about something a friend said, you can stop and ask Jesus for peace. Trust that He will walk with you through whatever happens. If things don’t go the way you hoped, ask Him to open a new door. Many times, what looks like failure at first becomes an opportunity for something better.

Remember, trust grows through practice. Each time you take a small fear and bring it to Jesus, you are learning to trust Him more. Over time, you’ll find that even bigger fears feel less overwhelming. You will know deep down that you are not alone and that Jesus is strong enough to calm any storm.

So let’s keep encouraging each other. Share your fears, pray for one another, and remind each other that Jesus is with us. Together, we can learn to face fear with faith. When storms rise in your life, remember the words of Jesus: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Let those words give you courage. Jesus is in your boat, and with Him, you are never alone.

When you move into small groups, remind the youth that this is a safe space. Everyone should listen with respect and without judgment. Sharing is optional, and no one should feel pressured to speak. Encourage them to be honest, but also to keep private what others share. The goal is to build trust, support one another, and grow together in faith.

• How did you feel during the jelly bean game when you didn’t know what flavor you would get?
• What are some everyday fears you face at school, home, or with friends?
• How do you usually respond when you feel afraid?
• When the disciples were in the storm, how do you think they felt when Jesus calmed the sea?
• Can you remember a time when prayer or faith helped you during a difficult moment?
• Why might it help to share your fears with a trusted friend or adult?
• How can this group remind each other to turn to Jesus when fear comes up?
• What are some simple ways we can support each other in facing fears?
• How does knowing Jesus is always with you change the way you look at fear?
• What can you do this week to practice trusting Jesus when you feel anxious or afraid?

This week, when you feel fear welling up inside of you, pray the simple prayer of St. Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Whenever you encounter a situation that makes you anxious or afraid, pause for a moment and say this prayer. It reminds you that Jesus is with you and that you can rely on Him. This prayer can help you find peace and strength in the midst of your fears, knowing that Jesus is in control.

Make it a habit. Each time you pray, “Jesus, I trust in You,” let it be a moment to release your fears to Jesus. Trust that He will guide you and calm the storms in your life. Over time, you will notice that your trust in Jesus grows stronger, and your fears become more manageable. Share your experiences with a friend or family member to encourage each other in faith. Remember, Jesus is always with you, ready to bring you peace and comfort.

If appropriate allow the youth to offer personal prayer intentions, especially any related to anxiety or fear.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being with us today. Help us remember that You are always by our side, especially when we are afraid. Teach us to trust in You and find peace in Your presence. Give us the courage to face our fears and share them with others. Help us to support one another and grow in faith together.

We ask that You calm the storms in our lives and guide us with Your love. Fill our hearts with Your peace and remind us that we are never alone. Amen.

Themes

• Trust in Jesus: The lesson teaches that when we are afraid, we can trust Jesus to bring us peace and calm, just as He calmed the storm for the disciples.
• Jesus’ Presence: Knowing that Jesus is always with us helps us face our fears. His constant presence reassures us that we are not alone.
• Power of Prayer: Praying, “Jesus, I trust in You,” helps us turn our fears over to Jesus. Prayer is a way to find strength when we are afraid.
• Community Support: Sharing our fears with others helps us feel less alone. We find support and encouragement from friends and family when we are afraid.
• Faith Over Fear: Faith in Jesus helps us overcome fear. When we have faith, we trust that Jesus will guide us through our fears.
• Holy Spirit’s Guidance: The Holy Spirit helps us remember Jesus’ words and trust in His promises. The Spirit guides us when we are afraid.
• Facing Everyday Fears: Learning to trust Jesus in everyday fears, like worrying about a test, helps us build our faith. Turning to Jesus in small fears prepares us for bigger challenges.
• Jesus’ Promise: Jesus never promised a life without storms, but He did promise to be with us. Knowing this helps us face big fears with confidence.

Background Material

This lesson plan helps youth understand how to face fear with faith in Jesus. It fits into Catholic teaching by showing how Jesus brings peace and calm during scary times. It also encourages prayer, trust, and community support, which are key parts of our Catholic faith.

In the Bible, we see many instances where Jesus asks us to trust Him. One powerful story is from Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calms the storm. The disciples were afraid of the violent storm, but Jesus asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you not yet have faith?” This story teaches us that even when we are afraid, we can trust in Jesus to calm our fears.

The Presence of Jesus: Jesus promises to be with us always. In Matthew 28:20, He says, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This promise is a source of comfort when we are afraid. Knowing that Jesus is always with us helps us face our fears with confidence. The presence of Jesus in our lives brings peace, just as His presence calmed the storm for the disciples.

Prayer as a Source of Strength: Prayer is a vital part of facing fear. St. Faustina’s prayer, “Jesus, I trust in You,” is a simple yet powerful way to hand our fears over to Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) highlights the importance of prayer. CCC 2565 says, “In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with His Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit.” Through prayer, we connect with God and find the strength to face our fears.

Community Support: Sharing our fears with others is important. The Bible encourages us to support each other. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we talk about our fears with trusted friends, family, or adults, we find support and encouragement. Knowing we are not alone in our fears makes them easier to handle.

Faith Over Fear: Faith is a powerful tool to overcome fear. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith in Jesus reassures us that He is in control, even when we cannot see how things will turn out. By focusing on our faith, we can face our fears with confidence, knowing that Jesus will guide us through.

Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us. In John 14:26, He says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit helps us remember Jesus’ words and trust in His promises. This guidance is especially important when we are afraid, as it helps us stay focused on our faith.

This lesson plan aligns with Catholic teaching by emphasizing trust in Jesus, the importance of prayer, the presence of Jesus, community support, faith over fear, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By focusing on these elements, youth can learn to face their fears with faith. The Catechism and the Bible provide a strong foundation for understanding how to trust Jesus and find peace in His presence. Through this lesson, youth can grow in their faith and learn to manage their fears with the help of Jesus and their community.

Music Suggestions

• The Jesus Song (Jesus I Trust In You)
• Abide with Me
• Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)
• Be Not Afraid
• Fear Is a Liar
• Jesus, I Trust In You