Opening Game
Start the Epiphany Lesson Plan with the game “Lost on a Deserted Island.” In this activity, youth decide what they can’t live without. For full instructions, visit Lost on a Deserted Island.
Follow up with a few questions:
- Was it hard to choose just one item?
- Did you want to pick something else after thinking it over?
- Were you surprised by anyone’s choice?
While getting stranded on a deserted island isn’t likely, we do sometimes have to decide what’s important to us.
Imagine this scenario: Your family announces a summer-long adventure, traveling across the country. You can only bring what fits in a large duffle bag, including clothes, toiletries, electronics, books, and games.
- How would you feel about this plan?
- What would you pack?
- How would you decide how many clothes to bring versus other items?
- What would be hard to leave behind?
- Is there anything you want to take but is too big?
Scripture Reading
Read the Gospel:
Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi Visit the Child Jesus) – the Gospel Reading for the The Epiphany of the Lord
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
Discussion
Think about the Magi for a minute. These were wise men who traveled a long distance from the East just to see the baby Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say how long their journey took, but it must have been hard and it must have taken a lot of time. They had to leave behind their homes, their routines, and probably the people they loved. They didn’t know exactly what they would find. But they followed the star because they believed something great was waiting for them at the end.
Now think about your own life. What would it feel like to leave behind your phone, your favorite hobbies, or even your friends for a while? That’s kind of what the Magi did. They gave up things they cared about to chase after something even more important. They remind us that sometimes we have to give up good things to discover something better. That’s not always easy. But in life, the best things often come when we take risks and trust that the journey is worth it.
The Magi didn’t have all the answers when they started. They didn’t have GPS or a map. They didn’t know exactly where the star would lead. But they believed it would take them to someone special. That takes a lot of faith. It’s kind of like when you set a big goal—maybe trying out for a team, applying for a scholarship, or making a new friend. You don’t know how it will turn out, but you keep going because something inside you says it matters. The Magi kept going because they believed the journey had a purpose.
Trying something new can feel scary. Maybe you’re thinking about joining a new club or starting a new class. Or maybe you’ve been wanting to talk to someone who seems lonely or left out. You don’t know what will happen, but something tells you it’s the right thing to do. That’s the kind of faith the Magi had. They were willing to face the unknown because they believed God was leading them somewhere good.
The Magi definitely had problems along the way. They probably got tired. Maybe they got lost or had to deal with rough weather. And let’s not forget Herod. He tried to trick them and use them for his own plans. But the Magi stayed focused. They didn’t give up. They kept their eyes on the star, and they made it to Jesus. That’s a big reminder for us too. Life is full of challenges—school stress, family problems, peer pressure. But like the Magi, we can choose to keep going, even when it’s hard.
Sometimes, we want to take shortcuts. Maybe we’re tempted to cheat on a test or lie to make things easier. Maybe we just want to quit when things get tough. But the Magi didn’t take shortcuts. They followed the path God set for them. For us, that path might be our faith, our values, or our dreams. It’s not always the easy road. But it’s the right one. When we stay on the right path, even when it’s hard, we grow stronger and wiser.
The Magi also had to deal with someone who didn’t have good intentions—King Herod. He tried to use them for his own selfish goals. We all face people like that. There will always be people who try to pull us away from what’s right. But the Magi were smart. They listened to God and avoided Herod. That shows us how important it is to be wise and stay true to our values. Don’t let others lead you away from what you know is good and true.
And think about what the Magi brought with them. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—these were valuable gifts. They didn’t show up empty-handed. They gave Jesus their best. We may not have gold or fancy gifts to offer, but we do have our time, our talents, and our love. We can give those things to God and to others. Helping a friend, using your gifts to serve, spending time with someone who needs it—these are real ways to honor Jesus today.
The Magi kept their focus. They didn’t let distractions pull them off course. Today, it’s easy to lose focus. Social media, peer pressure, and the latest trends are always trying to grab your attention. But just like the Magi followed the star, we need to keep our eyes on what really matters. That might be your faith, your relationships, or your personal goals. When we stay focused, we’re more likely to reach the good things we’re looking for.
Finally, the Magi put in their best effort. They didn’t know how long the trip would take or what they’d find at the end. But they gave it their all. That’s something to think about in your own life. Whether it’s school, sports, friendships, or faith, putting in your best effort matters. Even when things are hard, staying committed helps you grow and move forward.
You’re on a journey too, just like the Magi. You might not be following a star in the sky, but you are looking for meaning and purpose. The story of the Magi shows that it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters is that you keep going, keep trusting, and keep looking for Jesus in your life.
Small Group Reflection Questions
When breaking into small groups, remind youth that this is a space to share honestly and listen respectfully. No one has to talk if they don’t want to, but everyone should feel safe to speak if they choose. Encourage teens to reflect on their own lives and how the story of the Magi connects to their experiences. Let the conversation flow, but help keep it focused on the main ideas of the lesson.
- What is something important you’ve had to give up or leave behind to do something better?
- Have you ever felt unsure about where your life was headed, but kept going anyway? What helped you?
- What are some “stars” in your life—people, goals, or values—that help guide your choices?
- What are some challenges that make it hard to stay on the right path?
- Have you ever faced someone like Herod—someone who tried to lead you in the wrong direction? How did you handle it?
- What is one way you can give your time, gifts, or effort to God or others this week?
- What distractions make it hard for you to focus on what really matters?
- What do you think it means to “follow your star” today as a teen?
- Do you believe your journey has a purpose, even if you don’t see it yet? Why or why not?
- What part of the Magi’s story stood out to you the most, and why?
Challenge
Your challenge this week is to follow your star. That means choosing one thing that helps guide you closer to Jesus and sticking with it, even when it’s not easy. Maybe it’s making time for prayer each day, being kind to someone who needs a friend, or just staying honest when it’s tempting to take shortcuts. Like the Magi, you don’t need to know how everything will turn out—you just need to take the next step with faith.
Here are a few ways to live this out. First, take five minutes each day this week to talk to God about your journey—what’s hard, what’s good, and what you’re hoping for. Second, pick one thing you can give up this week to make space for something better—maybe less screen time so you can focus more on family or faith. Third, look for someone who might feel left out and include them. Small steps can lead to big changes.
Prayer
Finish the Epiphany Lesson Plan by praying St. Anselm’s Prayer, which expresses a desire to align our will with God’s will. See a printable copy of the prayer.
O my God teach my heart where and how to seek you,
where and how to find you…
You are my God and you are my All and I have never seen you.
You have made me and remade me,
You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess,
Still I do not know you…
I have not yet done that for which I was made….
Teach me to seek you…
I cannot seek you unless you teach me
or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you.
See https://young-catholics.com/5920/follow-that-star-epiphany-lesson-plan/ for more information and resources.