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Unwelcome - A Lesson Plan on Rejection

About This Lesson Plan on Rejection

This Unwelcome lesson plan on rejection will helps teens understand that even Jesus was rejected. And it was by those who were close to him. What does Jesus teach us about rejection?

Opening Game for Unwelcome

Start by playing a game. Ask a question. The youth should call out their answer until they find someone else with the same answer.

Some possible questions:

  • What is your favorite color?
  • How many siblings do you have?
  • What is your favorite pizza topping?
  • What type of pet do you have?

Give them a minute or so to find their group. For those who found everyone with the same answer, give them a small piece of candy.Or give them a point if keeping score. Some people will not have anyone else with the same answer. That is OK. Then ask another question.

After playing the game, ask a few questions.

  • Did you like to find people who had the same answer as you? Why or why not?
  • If you were the only person with a particular answer, how did that make you feel?
  • When you are at school or at a social event, do you like to feel like you are a member of a group?
  • How do you think it feels to be excluded from a group? Has this ever happened to you?

None of us like to feel left out or rejected. We like to feel like we belong. It gives us security. But even Jesus was rejected:

Scripture Reading

Read the Gospel:

Mark 6:1-6 (Jesus is rejected in his home town) - the Gospel Reading for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.

When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.

He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Mark 6:1-6

Discussion about Rejection

It says that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. He probably didn't expect to be rejected by him. But they thought they knew who he was, and his ability to teach and lead didn't fit into their stereotype of him.

  • How do you think Jesus' friends and family viewed him?
  • Do you think Jesus wanted to be able to heal the people from his town?
  • How do you think Jesus felt when he realized they had no faith?

Sometimes it is hard for us to imagine that Jesus had feelings in a situation like this. But Jesus experienced all that humans experience when he walked the earth. So it seems likely that this rejection hurt.

Jesus could have responded with anger or tried to get back at them. But he doesn't try to convince the people of his hometown to believe in him. Instead it seems he just moved on. After this passage, we hear that he goes to other villages in the area. And he sends his apostles out in pairs to heal people and spread his teachings.

But, he advises them

Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.

Mark 6:11

So it seems that he feels the best way to deal with rejection, is to move along to somewhere else.

Reflection Questions for Lesson Plan on Rejection

  • What are the dangers of returning over and over to people who reject us?
  • What can we learn from Jesus' example when we feel rejected or left out?
  • Who are some people we can turn to when we feel isolated or lonely?
  • What can we do to make sure the people we encounter feel loved and included?

Challenge

This week, your challenge is to go the extra mile to help somebody feel like they belong. If you notice somebody who seems left out, make an effort to start a conversation with him or her. Invite them to join in with something you are doing and be extra welcoming. You never know, you might even make a new friend.

Prayer

Conclude by suggesting that everyone try to think of a time they were rejected and it hurt. Then pray this Prayer after Being Rejected.

Resources

prayer after being rejected
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Prayer After Being Rejected

This prayer will help you pour out your heart to God when you have been rejected. God understands your pain. Jesus knew very well the sting of being pushed away. The people of his own hometown rejected him. The crucifixion of our Lord was rejection in the extreme.

Don’t shift the blame to God. God lets us choose. We are not pawns. Sometimes our choices just don’t work out. Or maybe we change our minds.

God can still lead us somewhere good. We each have our own stories.

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