Opening Game
Start by playing Silent Sorting. This is a twist on the game where people arrange themselves by their birthdays. An extra rule thrown in makes it a little more challenging! See the complete instructions at Silent Sorting Game.
After the game, ask a few questions.
- Was it difficult to communicate silently?
- How did you overcome this challenge?
- What did you like about silent communication?
Scripture Reading
Read the scripture passage:
Mark 7:31-37 (Jesus heals a deaf man) – the Gospel Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” – that is, “Be opened!” –
And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed,and he spoke plainly.He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”Mark 7:31-37
Discussion
In this Gospel passage, Jesus heals a man who was both deaf and had a speech impediment. Imagine how hard life must have been for him. He couldn’t hear the voices of his family, friends, or community, and he couldn’t clearly express himself either. Communication, something we often take for granted, was a constant struggle for him. But when Jesus commands the man’s ears to be opened, everything changes. Suddenly, he can hear and speak plainly. His world opens up in ways he probably never imagined.
God also wants to communicate with us, just as He did with this man. But sometimes, like the deaf man, we have our own issues that make it hard for us to hear what God is saying. It might not be a physical problem, but there are definitely things that can block us from truly listening to God’s voice. These obstacles can make it difficult for us to understand God’s Word and His plan for our lives.
One of the most common reasons we struggle to hear God is because we’re simply too busy. We have so much going on—school, sports, hobbies, friends, social media—that we don’t make time to listen to God. We might pray quickly before meals or at bedtime, but often we’re just rushing through it, not really pausing to hear what God might be saying to us. Our schedules are packed, and in the midst of all this activity, God’s voice can easily get drowned out. We brush Him aside as we move on to the next thing on our to-do list, missing out on the chance to really connect with Him.
Another reason we might not hear God is because of our prejudices or preconceptions. We might think we already know what God is going to say, so we don’t even bother to listen. Maybe we’ve heard certain Bible stories or teachings so many times that we think we’ve got it all figured out. Or maybe we have certain beliefs or opinions that make it hard for us to be open to anything new that God might want to show us. We think we have the answers, so we stop listening. But God often speaks in unexpected ways, and if we’re not open, we might miss out on something important He’s trying to communicate with us.
So, what are some things that might be preventing you from hearing God’s Word? Is it your busy schedule? Are you too caught up in your activities to make time for quiet prayer and reflection? Or are there certain prejudices or assumptions you have that keep you from really listening to God? Take a moment to think about these questions. Identifying these barriers is the first step in overcoming them.
But it’s not just about hearing God’s Word. Once we’ve heard it, we’re also called to speak it to others. Just like the man in the Gospel who had a speech impediment, we might struggle with this part too. Maybe we know what God wants us to say, but we hold back. We might be too timid, afraid of what others will think, or unsure of how to share God’s message. We might hear God’s Word in our hearts, but then we keep it to ourselves, missing the opportunity to share it with those around us.
What are some barriers that might be keeping you from speaking God’s Word to others? Are you afraid of being judged or misunderstood? Do you feel like you don’t know enough to share your faith? Or maybe you just don’t know how to start the conversation. These are all common challenges, but it’s important to remember that God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers or be perfect speakers. He just asks us to be open to His guidance and to share His love and truth as best as we can.
So how can you be more open to what God is trying to say to you? Start by making time for quiet prayer and reflection. Turn off your phone, step away from your busy schedule, and spend some time in silence with God. Ask Him to help you hear His voice and be open to whatever He wants to say. Be willing to let go of your own ideas and opinions, and be ready to receive what God has for you.
And how can you let Jesus heal your deafness, just like He did for the man in the Gospel? Begin by acknowledging the areas where you might be spiritually deaf—where you’ve been too busy or too set in your ways to hear God. Then, ask Jesus to help you be open to His voice. Remember, Jesus wants to communicate with you, and He has the power to remove whatever is blocking you from hearing Him.
Finally, think about how you can overcome the speech impediment that might be keeping you from sharing God’s Word. Start small—maybe share a Bible verse with a friend or talk about something you learned in church. Don’t worry about having all the right words; just be open to the opportunities God gives you to speak His truth. Trust that He will guide you and give you the words you need.
Being open to God’s voice is a journey. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to let go of our own plans. But as we grow in our ability to listen to God and share His Word, we’ll find that our relationship with Him deepens, and our lives become more aligned with His will. So take the time to be open, listen, and let God speak to your heart.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Small group discussions are a great way for youth to explore their faith with others. In a small group, everyone has the chance to share their thoughts and listen to the perspectives of others. It’s a safe space to talk about experiences, ask questions, and support each other on the journey of faith.
Here are some questions to get your discussion started. Take your time with each question, and don’t feel rushed to move on to the next one. Allow the conversation to flow naturally, and be open to where God leads your discussion.
- What does being open to God mean to you? How can you practice being more open in your daily life?
- What are some things that make it hard for you to hear God’s voice? How can you overcome these obstacles?
- Have you ever experienced a time when you felt God speaking to you? How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
- What are some barriers that keep you from sharing God’s Word with others? How can you work on being more open and courageous in sharing your faith?
- How do you think your life would change if you were more open to hearing and speaking God’s Word? What practical steps can you take to make this change?
- In what ways can your group support each other in being open to God’s voice? What can you do together to grow in your faith and openness to God?
- How can you create more quiet time in your life to listen to God? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this time?
- What role does humility play in being open to God? How can you cultivate a humble attitude that is open to learning from God and others?
Challenge
Remember that God loves you deeply and desires to guide you on the right path. This week, make it a priority to ask God what He wants you to hear. Commit to actively listening for His voice in your life. Spend some intentional time in prayer each day, creating space for God to speak. You can do this by reading Scripture, sitting quietly in His presence, or simply reflecting on His goodness. Pay attention to the ways God might be speaking to you—not just in prayer, but also in the world around you. Notice how He might be communicating through nature, conversations, or even in the quiet moments of your day.
As you listen, try to be open and receptive to God’s message without stress or anxiety. Don’t worry if you don’t fully understand what He is saying right away. Trust that God will reveal more to you in His perfect timing. Hold His message in your heart, even if it’s not completely clear. Let it guide you throughout your week, and be patient as you wait for deeper understanding. Remember, God’s timing is perfect, and He will continue to lead you as you remain open to His voice.
Prayer
If time permits, let’s spend some quiet moments in adoration or prayer before the tabernacle.
This is a special opportunity to be in the presence of Jesus, who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. In this sacred space, we can allow our hearts to be still and open to God’s voice. Together, we can reflect on His love for us and listen for what He might be speaking into our lives. Whether we spend just a few minutes or a longer period in adoration, let’s be fully present, letting go of any distractions or worries.
As we close our time in prayer, we entrust all that we’ve heard and felt to God. Let our hearts rest in His peace, knowing that He is with us and will continue to guide us. We open our hearts to His love and ask Him to help us remain attentive to His voice throughout the week. As we finish our prayer time, let’s use the following prayer to close:
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time of quiet and reflection. Help us to be open to Your voice and to hear what You are saying to us. Guide us along the right path and give us the courage to follow Your will. May we always seek Your presence and find peace in Your love. As we go forward, help us to carry Your Word in our hearts and share it with others. We entrust ourselves to You, trusting that You will lead us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/11239/be-open-listening-to-god/