Opening Game
Start by playing the Blanket Carry Relay game. In this game, teams carry a member on a blanket. Everyone must take a turn carrying and being carried. For details, see Blanket Carry Relay Game.
After the game, ask these questions:
- How difficult was it to carry the person on the blanket?
- Which did you prefer – doing the carrying or being carried?
- Did you come up with a strategy that made this easier?
It’s not always easy to carry someone else, and it’s also not easy being carried. Evangelization is similar because we carry Jesus to the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary was our first example of this.
Scripture Reading
Read the Gospel:
Luke 3:10-18 (The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth) – the Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday in Advent – Year C
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”Luke 3:10-18
Discussion
Mary literally brought Jesus Christ to her cousin Elizabeth. And Elizabeth recognized Him within Mary. It is not recorded, and it is not likely, that when Mary was walking down the street that strangers recognized her as the Christ Bearer. Elizabeth’s experience was an encounter that came as a result of their relationship with each other.
We know this to be true of how we bring Christ to others also. Just walking up to someone you don’t know and inviting them to encounter Jesus probably won’t be very effective. Evangelization starts with people we know and care about. And it comes from a place of love.
You might think that all of your friends know Jesus already. If they do, that’s great. But even in that case, you can work together to deepen your faith.
Watch this video on The Do’s and Don’ts of Evangelization. This video makes us laugh because Timid Tammy is so afraid to say what is on her mind. And Abrasive Abner is so obnoxious and overbearing. Obviously, we are going for an approach more like Graceful Gabby.
Graceful Gabby sees opportunities to evangelize. She is not forcing the issue but is using everyday events to help bring people to Christ. And her approach is straightforward. She isn’t trying to appear pious or holy or better than her friends. She is just inviting them into her world of life in Christ. This is where she loves to be, and she wants her friends to be there with her.
Think about Mary visiting Elizabeth. Mary didn’t make a grand announcement or try to show off her role. She simply went to see her cousin, bringing Jesus with her. In the same way, we don’t need to make a big show of our faith. We can share Jesus with others through our everyday actions and relationships.
Here are some more tips for evangelization:
- Be Genuine: People can tell when you’re being sincere. Share your faith from the heart, not because you feel like you have to.
- Listen First: Before you start talking about Jesus, listen to what your friends are going through. Show them that you care about their lives.
- Pray for Guidance: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your conversations. Pray for the right words and the right timing.
- Share Your Story: Talk about how your faith has made a difference in your life. Personal stories can be very powerful.
- Be Patient: Sometimes, it takes time for people to be open to faith. Don’t rush or pressure them.
- Live Your Faith: Actions speak louder than words. Live your life in a way that reflects your beliefs. Be kind, honest, and loving.
- Invite, Don’t Force: Like Graceful Gabby, invite your friends to join you in your faith journey. Whether it’s going to Mass, joining a youth group, or just talking about Jesus, make it an invitation, not a demand.
- Be Respectful: Respect where your friends are in their own spiritual journey. Everyone has their own path to follow.
- Encourage Questions: It’s okay if your friends have questions or doubts. Encourage them to ask and be ready to explore the answers together.
- Stay Connected: Keep the relationship strong. Whether or not your friends immediately respond to your evangelization, continue to be a good friend.
Remember, like Mary and Elizabeth, our evangelization efforts are most effective when they come from genuine, loving relationships. Mary brought Jesus to Elizabeth quietly and humbly. We can do the same by bringing Jesus into our interactions with friends and family.
By following these tips and focusing on building strong, loving relationships, you can be a Blessed Bearer, sharing the joy of Christ in a clean, straightforward way. Start small, be patient, and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you. You never know how a simple act of love can bring someone closer to Jesus.
Small Group Reflection Questions
In small groups, discuss how the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth can inspire us to share our faith. Reflect on the ways Mary humbly and lovingly brought Jesus to Elizabeth and how we can do the same in our lives. Think about the importance of relationships in evangelization and how the Holy Spirit can guide us.
Discussion Questions:
- What can we learn from Mary’s example that we can apply to our own lives?
- How did Mary’s visit to Elizabeth demonstrate love and humility?
- Why do you think Elizabeth recognized Jesus in Mary?
- How can we bring Jesus to our friends and family in everyday life?
- What are some challenges you face when trying to share your faith?
- How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us evangelize?
- Have you ever experienced joy from sharing your faith? Can you share that experience with the group?
- What practical steps can we take to become better Blessed Bearers in our daily interactions?
- How does building strong relationships make evangelization more effective?
- How can we support each other in our faith journeys and evangelization efforts?
Challenge
This week, look for opportunities to evangelize. Be free and confident in speaking about your faith when the opportunity presents itself. To help, ask the Holy Spirit every day to give you the wisdom to see these opportunities and the courage to act on them.
Start by observing your daily interactions with friends, family, and classmates. Look for moments when you can naturally bring up your faith. It could be as simple as sharing a story about how prayer helped you in a tough situation or inviting someone to join you for Mass or a youth group event.
Remember, evangelization doesn’t always have to be a big, dramatic event. It can be as simple as a kind word or a thoughtful question. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in these moments and give you the right words to say.
Prayer
Conclude by offering prayer intentions, especially for those we know who we would like to bring closer to Christ. Then ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother by praying the Hail Mary.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more resources and information, see https://young-catholics.com/12971/evangelization-lesson-plan/