Opening Activity for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
To kick off the Be Alert Lesson Plan on Advent, start by giving everyone a pencil and paper. Ask them to write down their answer to this question: “You are throwing a party. You are inviting all of your best friends. What are some of the things you will do to prepare?”
Give them a few minutes to write down their answers, and then spend a little time sharing them. This activity will help the participants think about the preparations they would make for a special event and set the stage for the lesson on being watchful and alert during Advent.
Now, follow up with these discussion questions:
- It is 15 minutes before the party is to start. You are ready. What are you doing? Encourage the participants to think about how they would spend those last few minutes before the party begins. Would they double-check the decorations, make sure the food is ready, or greet early arrivals? This question will help them reflect on the importance of being prepared and attentive.
- The doorbell rings. Your guests are starting to arrive. How do you feel? Are you excited, nervous, or something else? Why? This question will prompt the participants to consider their emotions when their guests start to arrive. They may feel excited to see their friends, nervous about hosting, or a mix of different emotions. Encourage them to share their feelings and explain why they feel that way.
Remind the youth that just as we take time to prepare when someone we care about is coming to visit, Advent is a season of hopeful waiting. We are preparing to welcome Jesus into our world. This connection will help them understand the significance of being watchful and alert during this special time of year.
Scripture Reading for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
Mark 13:33-37 (Jesus tells his disciples to be ready) – the Gospel Reading for the 1st Sunday in Advent – Year B
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at dawn, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Discussion for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
As we get ready for Jesus’ arrival, it’s important to think about how we can actively prepare for Him. Just like when we get ready to welcome friends to a party, we need to make sure everything is ready to welcome Jesus into our hearts. We wouldn’t leave our house messy, forget to make food, or ignore our guests. In the same way, we don’t want to leave our hearts unprepared when Jesus comes. Advent is our special season for getting ready, so let’s take some time to focus on what we can do to prepare our hearts for Jesus.
One of the best ways to prepare is through prayer. Prayer is simply talking with God, but it’s also listening to Him. Just like we make sure to communicate with our friends, we should stay connected with Jesus, too. Sometimes our prayer life can feel dry or boring, like it’s always the same. Advent is a great time to try something new. If you usually pray silently, try writing your prayers in a journal. Journaling helps us put our thoughts and feelings into words, which can make it feel more real. If you usually pray alone, you could try joining a prayer group or spending time in Adoration, where you sit quietly with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Another way to make prayer more meaningful is to use Scripture. Choose a passage about the coming of Jesus, like the stories of the Annunciation or John the Baptist’s message to prepare the way for the Lord. Read it slowly and think about what God is saying to you. This is called lectio divina, which means “divine reading.” It’s a way to listen to God’s voice through His Word. You can also try praying the Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries, which focus on Jesus’ birth and early life. These are just a few ways to deepen your prayer life during Advent.
Service projects are another important part of getting ready for Jesus. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and He asks us to do the same. When we serve others, we make room in our hearts for Jesus. Advent is a perfect time to be alert to the needs of those around us. There are many ways to help, even with small acts. You could volunteer at a food pantry, help with a clothing drive, or visit the elderly at a nursing home. You might also help out in your own neighborhood by raking leaves for a neighbor or bringing groceries to someone who is homebound.
Service doesn’t always have to be organized or planned. You can serve others just by being kind and considerate. This could mean listening to a friend who is having a tough time or offering to help a family member with chores. It’s about being alert to the needs of others, just like Jesus was. When we shift our focus from ourselves to those around us, we become more like Jesus. This makes us more open and ready for His coming.
Acts of charity are also a big part of Advent. Sometimes, we think charity means donating lots of money or doing something huge, but it’s often much simpler. It can be as small as baking cookies for a neighbor, giving warm clothes to someone in need, or writing a card to cheer up a friend. Even little acts of kindness show love and can brighten someone’s day. When we share this kind of love, we reflect the love and generosity of Jesus.
During Advent, we should also be creative. Being alert doesn’t mean just following the same routines. It means trying new things and opening ourselves to new possibilities. For example, you could create an Advent prayer corner in your home, where you put a candle, a Bible, and maybe a Nativity scene. Light the candle each day and say a short prayer as you wait for Jesus. You could also make an Advent calendar with different ideas for prayer, service, or acts of charity each day. This keeps Advent fresh and exciting.
Advent is not just about getting through the days until Christmas. It’s about actively preparing for Jesus, who is the best gift of all. Being watchful and alert means paying attention to what God is doing in our lives. It means opening our hearts wider to receive Him. When we try new ways of praying, serve others with love, and look for small ways to share joy, we are truly preparing for Jesus.
So this Advent, let’s be watchful. Let’s be alert. Let’s make this a season of action, not just waiting. Let’s make it a time of discovery, where we learn more about ourselves and more about how Jesus is working in our lives. If we do this, we’ll be ready to welcome Jesus—not just on Christmas Day, but every day. This is how we experience the true joy and meaning of Advent.
Small Group Reflection Questions for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
As you lead the small group discussions, encourage participants to be open and honest with their thoughts and feelings. Remind them that everyone’s ideas are welcome and that there are no wrong answers. Give each person a chance to speak, and encourage others to listen respectfully. These questions are designed to help everyone reflect on what it means to be alert and prepared for Jesus during Advent. Let the conversation flow naturally, and feel free to ask follow-up questions to deepen the discussion.
- What does it mean to you to be spiritually alert? Think about what being alert might look like in your daily life. How can you stay more aware of God’s presence?
- How do you usually prepare for Christmas? Share some of your family traditions or personal routines. How do these help you focus on Jesus during Advent?
- What are some ways you can try a new form of prayer during Advent? Have you ever tried a different way of praying, like journaling or meditating on Scripture? Which new method might you try this Advent?
- How can you show generosity during Advent? Think about simple acts of service or charity. What is one way you could serve others this week?
- How do you handle waiting, whether for Christmas or for other things in life? Is waiting hard for you? What can help you be more patient and hopeful while you wait for Jesus?
- Why is repentance important during Advent? How can examining your conscience and asking for forgiveness help you be more prepared for Jesus’ coming?
- What is one thing you could change in your routine to be more spiritually prepared? Is there a habit you’d like to start (or stop) to help you stay alert and ready for Jesus?
- How can you help others be more alert to the meaning of Advent? Is there something you could do to remind your family, friends, or classmates about Jesus during this season?
- What is one Bible story or verse that inspires you during Advent? How does this story or verse encourage you to stay watchful and alert for Jesus?
- What does the true joy of Advent mean to you? How can being alert to God’s work in your life bring you joy this season?
Encourage participants to share their personal insights, but remind them that listening is just as important as speaking. As the discussion wraps up, thank everyone for their participation and openness.
Challenge for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
In addition to self-reflection and acts of service, there is another important challenge we can undertake during Advent: the sacrament of reconciliation. Just as we clean our houses before guests arrive, confessing our sins and receiving absolution cleans our hearts and prepares us to welcome Jesus into our lives.
One way to embrace this challenge is by organizing a reconciliation service. This can be a powerful and communal experience where individuals have the opportunity to confess their sins and receive God’s forgiveness together. It creates a sense of unity and shared accountability as we journey towards the coming of Jesus.
If possible, have a reconciliation service. If organizing a reconciliation service is not feasible, we can still encourage the youth to go to confession individually before Christmas. This personal encounter with God’s mercy allows them to reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness, and experience the transformative power of reconciliation.
By accepting the challenge of participating in the sacrament of reconciliation, we actively engage in the process of spiritual renewal and prepare ourselves to receive Jesus with open hearts. Let us encourage one another to embrace this challenge and experience the profound joy and peace that comes from being reconciled with God and one another.
Prayer for the Be Watchful! Be Alert! Lesson Plan on Advent
Lead the youth in prayer, using this prayer or a prayer from your heart.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts filled with gratitude for the lessons we have learned during this Advent season. We thank you for reminding us to be watchful and alert, to prepare our hearts for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ.
As we reflect on the challenges and discussions we have had, we ask for your continued guidance and strength. Help us to remain vigilant in our faith, always aware of your presence in our lives.
Grant us the wisdom to discern your will and the courage to act upon it. May we be instruments of your peace and love in the world, shining your light in the darkness.
As we await the celebration of Christ’s birth, we pray for those who are in need, for the lonely and the suffering. May they find comfort and hope in your presence.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
May this prayer serve as a reminder to stay alert and watchful, not only during Advent but throughout our lives. Let us carry the lessons we have learned and the challenges we have embraced, always seeking to grow closer to God and to live out our faith with joy and purpose.
Resources
See more information for this lesson plan at https://young-catholics.com/5792/be-watchful-be-alert-lesson-plan-advent/