Rescue Me! Lesson Plan

How Good Are Your Survival Skills?

Begin the meeting by playing the game “How Good Are Your Survival Skills?” This activity helps youth imagine what it would take to live through a disaster and tests their decision-making skills. Provide each participant with a worksheet and pencil, then explain the scenario and choices. A

fter everyone has made their selections and totaled their points, give time for sharing and discussion. Youth will enjoy explaining why they chose certain items. This will naturally lead into the main theme of the lesson: we cannot survive on our own without help.

For the full instructions and printable materials, see here.

That was fun to think about, wasn’t it? But it also made us realize how tough it would be to survive on our own. Even when we picked good items, it was still hard to imagine lasting long by ourselves. Survival is about more than just gear and supplies. It also takes strength, knowledge, and often the help of others.

Have you ever thought about trying to survive on your own? Maybe it’s camping, or maybe just the idea of being left alone without anyone to lean on. Do you think you would do OK in a survival situation, or would you need to be rescued? Survival can be challenging, and even the most prepared people often need help. That is why working together and supporting each other is so important.

Do you think survival would be easier alone or in a group? Why? Think about how much easier it is when you have someone else to encourage you, share resources, and give support. We aren’t meant to face hard times completely on our own. Hopefully, none of us will ever need to be rescued in a real disaster. But if that day ever comes, imagine how you would feel when the first responders show up. You would feel relieved, grateful, and safe knowing someone was there for you.

This is the perfect place to connect our game to faith. Just as first responders come to help in a disaster, Jesus comes to us in our moments of weakness and struggle. He doesn’t leave us to survive on our own. He gives us strength, healing, and rescue when we turn to Him. That is what we will be talking about in this lesson—how Jesus is ready to rescue us when life feels overwhelming.

Read the gospel:

Mark 5:21-43 (Jesus heals the woman with the hemorrhages and the official’s daughter ) – the Gospel Reading for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

[There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it.

The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”]

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”

Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.

He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.

He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Mark 5:21-43

In this gospel, we hear of two people desperately in need of rescue.

The woman with the hemorrhages had been suffering for years. She was constantly bleeding. In Jewish culture at the time, blood was considered life. It was as if her very life was seeping away. Even worse, the blood made her ritually impure. This meant she could not go into the temple to worship until it stopped. She was cut off from her faith community and was desperate to be healed.

The synagogue official’s daughter was already gravely ill when he approached Jesus. By the time they reached the house, it was reported that she was dead. It seemed all hope was lost. But Jesus had other plans.

In both cases, the people involved had tried other options first. The woman with the hemorrhages had sought help from doctors. However, they had only made things worse. We can assume that the synagogue official also sought medical help for his daughter.

Imagine how fear and hopelessness could take over in these situations. But instead of giving up, they turned to Jesus for rescue. The woman believed that touching the hem of Jesus’ garment would heal her. The father believed Jesus could heal his daughter. They both acknowledged that they couldn’t handle these difficult situations on their own.

This gospel story shows us that Jesus is always ready to help us, especially in tough times. The woman’s faith in Jesus brought her healing. The official’s faith brought his daughter back to life. Jesus responded to their needs with love and compassion.

We can learn from this that we don’t have to face our problems alone. Jesus wants us to ask for His help. When we feel lost or afraid, turning to Jesus can give us comfort and strength. Just like the woman and the synagogue official, we should have faith that Jesus can help us.

This also teaches us the importance of community. The woman with the hemorrhages was cut off from her faith community because of her condition. When Jesus healed her, He not only restored her health but also her place in the community. The synagogue official sought Jesus’ help openly, showing that it’s okay to seek support from others.

When we are struggling, it’s okay to seek help and not try to handle everything by ourselves. Jesus cares about our struggles and wants to support us. This gives us hope and encourages us to trust in Him more deeply.

We can see the power of faith and how Jesus responds to our needs. We are reminded that Jesus is always there for us, ready to offer His healing and love. This is especially true in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. This gives us hope and encourages us to trust in Him more deeply.

Jesus never promised us a life free from hardship, but He doesn’t expect us to survive on our own. He wants to help us. This gospel story is a powerful reminder of His love and readiness to rescue us in our time of need.

The stories of the woman with the hemorrhages and the synagogue official’s daughter teach us about faith, community, and the power of Jesus’ love. We should remember to turn to Jesus in our difficult times and trust in His ability to help us. This lesson encourages us to rely on Jesus and the support of our faith community. Jesus is always ready to help, heal, and love us. Let us have faith in Him and trust that He will guide us through our challenges.

For the small group time, invite youth to sit together in circles of five to seven people. Encourage them to be honest, but also remind them to listen with respect and keep what is shared within the group. As the facilitator, you should help guide the conversation if it slows down, but try to let the youth speak freely. The goal is for them to reflect on their own experiences and connect them to the lesson.

• Have you ever felt like you were just barely making it through a tough time? What was that like?
• When you were facing that challenge, did you try to handle it alone or did you ask for help?
• Can you think of a time when you really needed God to help you? What happened when you turned to Him?
• Why do you think it can be hard for us to ask God for help when we need it most?
• Who in your life encourages you to trust in God when you are struggling?
• How does it feel to know that Jesus is ready to rescue you, just like He helped the woman and the young girl in the gospel story?
• What can we do as a group to remind each other to lean on God in difficult times?

This week, I want you to really pay attention to the people around you. Maybe you notice a friend who seems stressed, or someone at school who feels left out. Maybe you even feel like you are the one who is barely getting by. When you see those moments, stop and turn to prayer first. Ask God to show you what to do, and believe that He will guide you. Sometimes the answer comes in a small way, like a kind word, a listening ear, or the courage to keep going. Trust that God is ready to step in and help, even if the solution looks different than what you expected.

Also remember that you do not have to carry your struggles by yourself. Jesus is always with you, and He is waiting for you to call on Him. When you feel overwhelmed, bring your fears and worries to Him in prayer. Share what you are going through with your faith community too. Friends who pray together can lift each other up and find strength together. God’s love is powerful, and when you lean on Him and on others who believe, you will discover comfort, hope, and the courage to keep moving forward.

Let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves and pray together. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and remember that God is here with us right now.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for being the one who rescues us. You never leave us alone, even when life feels overwhelming. You reach out your hand like you did for the little girl in the gospel, and you remind us that we can trust in you.

God, sometimes we try to face things on our own and forget to ask for help. Forgive us when we forget to turn to you. Teach us to call on you first, to lean on you, and to find strength in your presence.

We also pray for our friends and family who are struggling. Rescue them, Lord, and fill them with your peace. Help us be a source of encouragement and love to one another.

Together we say, thank you Jesus, for always being with us. Amen.

Themes

• Faith in Jesus: The gospel shows that faith in Jesus brings healing and hope. Both the woman and the father trusted Him when all else failed. We are called to place our trust in Him in the same way.
• Need for Rescue: We cannot always solve our problems on our own. Like the people in the gospel, we sometimes need to be rescued. Jesus is always ready to respond when we call to Him.
• Power of Prayer: The woman’s simple act of reaching out in faith is like a prayer. When we pray, we invite Jesus into our struggles. Prayer opens the way for His love and help.
• Strength in Community: The woman was restored to her community after her healing. Faith is not just personal but shared with others. Being part of a faith community helps us find strength and support.
• Compassion of Jesus: Jesus noticed the woman in the crowd and stopped for her. He cared deeply about her suffering. His compassion is also for us today.
• Life from Jesus: Jairus’ daughter was brought back to life by Jesus’ word. This shows His power over death and His desire to give us new life. Eternal life is His greatest gift.
• Trust Over Fear: Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid but to believe. Fear can block us from trusting God. Faith gives us courage to face what seems impossible.
• Hope in Hardship: The woman suffered for years before finding healing. Her story teaches us that even in long struggles, there is hope. Jesus meets us in our pain and brings light.
• Healing Power of Faith: The woman’s faith led to her cure. Our faith can also bring healing in body, mind, and spirit. God works through our trust in Him.
• Witness to Others: The miracles of Jesus amazed the people. When we share how Jesus has helped us, it strengthens others’ faith. Our witness encourages others to trust in God.
• Sacraments as Rescue: The healing touch of Jesus is present in the sacraments. In Reconciliation and Eucharist, He rescues us with forgiveness and grace. These are ways He comes close to us today.

Background Material

The Rescue Me! lesson plan is rooted in the truth that we cannot live fully without the help of Jesus Christ. The gospel story from Mark 5:21-43 shows us two very different people who were both desperate for help. A woman who had been sick for twelve years and a father whose daughter was near death both turned to Jesus when they could not fix things on their own. Their faith in Him brought healing and life. This passage reminds us that we are not meant to survive on our own strength. We need Jesus to guide us, rescue us, and give us hope.

This connects directly to the Catholic understanding of faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Faith is a personal act—the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself” (CCC 166). Faith means trusting that God loves us and will not abandon us. Like Jairus and the woman, we respond to God by reaching out in trust, believing that He can and will save us. In our lives, this means bringing our needs to Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and daily trust in His presence.

The story also shows us the compassion of Jesus. He took time to notice the woman who touched His cloak, even though many people were pressing against Him. He called her “daughter” and gave her peace along with physical healing. This shows us that Jesus does not just want to solve problems, but He wants to restore relationships and bring us closer to God and community. In Catholic teaching, healing is never just about the body. It is about wholeness, peace, and life with God. When we go to the sacraments, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation, we experience that same love and mercy. Jesus meets us in our brokenness and makes us whole.

Another important part of this story is the role of community. The woman had been cut off from worship because of her illness. When Jesus healed her, He also brought her back into her faith community. The synagogue official went to Jesus in front of others, showing that asking for help is not a shameful thing. This reminds us that faith is not just private. We are meant to live in community, pray together, and support one another. The early Church understood this well, as described in Acts 2:42-47, where believers shared everything and encouraged one another.

Finally, this gospel points us to the hope of eternal life. Jesus raised the little girl from death, showing His power over even the darkest moments. This foreshadows His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all who believe. Catholics live with this hope every day. Even in suffering, we know that Jesus has the power to bring life out of death.

The Rescue Me! lesson plan fits within Catholic teaching by showing that Jesus is our healer, our companion, and our rescuer. It helps youth understand that faith means trusting Him in every situation. It also teaches that community, prayer, and the sacraments are ways Jesus comes close to us. Most of all, it reminds us that we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, ready to rescue us and bring us into life.

Music Suggestions

• Lord, I Need You
• Christ in Me Arise
• This Is Our God
• Rescue
• Mighty to Save