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

This must have been some storm. Remember that many of the apostles were fishermen. They were used to handling boats in bad weather. But here they are described as “terrified”. They believe they are going to die.

So this is a different type of fear than the type we talked about earlier. This is a fear about something which could truly do harm. This is a big fear.

Pass out some note cards and pencils.

Write some of your biggest fears on the cards. Don’t write your name. Because sometimes one of our fears is telling others what we are really thinking. Pass the cards in. I will read the fears so we can all share what we fear without knowing whose fear it is.

Read the fears.

You might be surprised that some of you fear the same things.

• Does it help to know that you are not the only one who is afraid?
• Are there any other fears you would like to name before the whole group?

We all face fear in our lives. Jesus never promised us a life without “storms”. We know that sometimes things are not going to be pleasant. We are going to have to deal with very difficult situations.

But Jesus did promise to be with us. And to send the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have heard that in the gospel in the past few weeks.

• What might you do when you are facing an overwhelming fear?
• Do you think it might help to share your fear with a friend or adult you trust?
• How can your faith in Jesus help you when you are afraid?

One thing which can help is to learn to trust Jesus in your everyday fears. When you fear what will happen when you do poorly on a test or when you are worried about something somebody said to you, turn to Jesus. Ask him to be with you and bring you peace and calm. And trust that in the end, he will be with you and will care for you. If something doesn’t go the way you hoped, ask Jesus to make a new opportunity out of it.

Following the large group discussion, small group reflection questions can help youth enter into a deeper discussion.

• How did you feel while playing the jelly bean game? What was it like to face a small fear?
• What are some everyday fears you face? How do you usually deal with them?
• How do you think the disciples felt during the storm? Can you relate to their fear?
• Have you ever experienced a time when you felt Jesus brought you peace in a difficult situation? Can you share about it?
• Why do you think it is important to share our fears with others? How can it help us?
• How can we remind ourselves to turn to Jesus when we are afraid?
• What are some practical ways we can support each other in our fears?
• How does knowing Jesus is with us help you face your fears?
• What can we learn from Jesus calming the storm that can help us in our own lives?
• How can we help others who are facing fears or difficult situations?

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 for the What Are You Afraid Of? Lesson Plan

• 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 for the What Are You Afraid Of? Lesson Plan

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

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

If you found this lesson plan helpful, visit our website for more free lesson plans and reflections for youth ministry. Our resources are designed to help teachers, youth ministers, and catechists engage young people in their faith. Each lesson is simple to follow and focuses on important Catholic teachings.