Opening Game
Begin this lesson plan on service by playing the Shepherd’s Voice game (find the full instructions at Shepherd’s Voice Game).
After the game, ask a few questions:
- Did you try to reach your shepherd on your own, or did you stay with the group?
- Were you able to hear your shepherd calling?
- What challenges made it hard to reach your shepherd?
God calls to each of us, just like a shepherd calls to his sheep. But sometimes we can’t hear Him, or obstacles get in the way.
Scripture Reading
John 10:27-30 (Jesus cares for us like a shepherd) – the Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter – Year C
The Father and I are one.”
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
Discussion
Imagine you are a sheep standing in a large field, surrounded by about 100 other sheep. The field is noisy, full of the sounds of sheep bleating and moving around. In the distance, you see four or five shepherds, each trying to gather their own group of sheep. The shepherds are calling out, but with so many voices and so much noise, how do you know which one to follow?
This simple scene helps us understand something important about our relationship with Jesus. In John 10:27, Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This means that, just like a sheep recognizes the voice of its shepherd, we need to be able to hear and recognize Jesus’ voice. But how do we do that? Let’s break it down.
My sheep hear my voice.
First of all, we need to be able to hear the Lord’s voice. If we are too distracted by everything going on in our lives, we won’t hear Him calling to us. In a world full of distractions—phones, social media, school, and friends—it can be really hard to focus on listening to God. It’s like trying to pick out one shepherd’s voice among all the noise in that field.
There are many things that can get in the way of hearing God. We might feel like we’re too busy to spend time in prayer. Maybe we let other things take priority, like hanging out with friends or playing video games, instead of going to Sunday Mass or making time for God during the week. It’s easy to let these distractions fill up our time, and before we know it, we’ve pushed God aside.
But Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, keeps calling us. He never stops reaching out. We need to make sure we are quieting down enough to hear Him. One way to do this is by setting aside some time each day to pray, even if it’s just a few minutes. This helps us become more aware of His presence and voice in our lives.
I know them.
The next thing Jesus tells us is, “I know them.” Think about that. Jesus knows you. Not just as part of a crowd, but personally. He knows everything about you—your strengths, your weaknesses, your hopes, and your struggles. This is important because He calls each of us in a way that is personal. He knows how to get your attention.
Sometimes, we experience this as a little feeling or thought that keeps coming back to us. Maybe we feel a tug on our heart to pray more, to help someone, or to make a change in our life. This is what we call the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It’s God’s way of nudging us in the right direction.
We can ignore this feeling, and if we do, it will eventually go away. But a much better option is to take it seriously. Spend some time in prayer asking, “Lord, what are you trying to tell me?” It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just talk to God like you would talk to a friend. The more you listen, the more you will hear Him.
They follow me.
The final part of Jesus’ words is, “They follow me.” It’s not enough to just hear God’s voice and feel the tug of the Holy Spirit. We have to take action. Listening to God requires us to do something. When we know God is calling us to take a step—whether it’s big or small—we need to move.
This can be scary or uncomfortable. Maybe God is calling you to apologize to someone, help a friend, or spend more time in prayer. Maybe He’s asking you to change something in your life that’s pulling you away from Him. Whatever it is, the first step might feel hard, but once we take it, we will find that God gives us the strength to keep going.
The Examen Prayer
There is a form of prayer called the Examen that can help us with listening to God. It’s simple and easy to do, but it can make a big difference in your relationship with God. The Examen is a way of reflecting on your day and noticing where God was present.
Let’s go through a basic version of it right now. First, find a comfortable place where you can relax. Take a few deep breaths and become aware of God’s presence. He is with you right now. Make the sign of the cross.
Pause
Now, think back over the past 24 hours. What did you do? Who were you with? When you remember something good, take a moment to enjoy that memory. Thank God for those good moments.
A longer pause
Next, think about your emotions over the past day. Were there any strong feelings—whether good or bad—that stood out? If so, take note of them. These strong emotions can often be clues to where God is working in your life.
Another long pause
Now, choose one of the events or emotions from the last day to pray about. Imagine Jesus is sitting right next to you. Talk to Him about that moment. Ask Him what He wants you to know. If you need forgiveness for something, ask for it. If you need help, ask for that too.
Another long pause
Finally, think about tomorrow. Did anything come up during this prayer time that makes you want to take action? Is there something you need to do to follow Jesus more closely? If so, make a commitment to take that first step.
Another long pause
End your prayer by making the sign of the cross.
Pause
The Examen is a powerful tool for listening to God and responding to His call in your life. Try to make it a part of your daily routine, and you will find it easier to hear His voice.
Small Group Reflection Questions
When leading small group discussions, encourage open and respectful sharing. Remind participants that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers in these conversations, and everyone’s experience matters. Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Allow time for each person to speak, and guide the conversation back to the topic if it drifts. Use the questions below to explore the lesson on listening to God, and encourage participants to reflect on their own experiences.
- What is one thing you can do this week to improve your prayer life and make more space for listening to God? How will you commit to this?
- Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” How can we make time in our busy lives to listen to God? What are some distractions that make it hard to hear Him?
- Have you ever experienced a time when you felt a “tug” on your heart, like the Holy Spirit was prompting you? How did you respond?
- What do you think it means that Jesus says, “I know them”? How does it make you feel to know that God knows you personally?
- What are some practical steps we can take to be more aware of God’s voice in our lives?
- In your opinion, what is the hardest part about listening to God? Is it hearing Him, trusting Him, or taking action?
- The Examen prayer encourages us to reflect on our day. How might this help you become more aware of God’s presence in your daily life?
- How can we help each other stay focused on listening to God in a world full of distractions?
- Think about a time when you followed God’s call. What happened? How did it affect your relationship with Him?
- Why do you think it’s important to not only hear God’s voice but to take action as well? How can you take that first step when you feel God calling you?
Challenge
This week, I encourage you to try praying the Examen every day. It’s a simple way to look back on your day and see where God was present. Take just a few minutes each night to reflect on what happened, how you felt, and where you noticed God at work. As you go through this process, you might start to see patterns or moments that you didn’t notice during the day. It’s a great way to become more aware of how God is speaking to you.
Use this time of reflection as an opportunity for listening to God. Pay attention to any feelings or thoughts that keep coming back. These could be prompts from God, inviting you to make a change or take some kind of action. Ask God what He’s trying to tell you, and see if you are prompted to do something differently. Whether it’s reaching out to someone, praying more, or changing a habit, listen for what God is calling you to do.
Download a printable copy of how to pray the Daily Examen to share.
Prayer
We will conclude our time together by taking a moment to offer our intentions. Think about anything that is on your heart—whether it’s a prayer for someone you know, a challenge you are facing, or simply something you want to thank God for. This is a chance to bring those thoughts before God and trust that He is listening.
After we share our intentions, we will unite in prayer by praying The Our Father together. This prayer reminds us that God is our Father, who cares for us, guides us, and calls us to follow Him. Let’s pray it with open hearts, listening to God as we speak the words Jesus taught us.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/15630/shepherd-lesson-plan-listening-to-god/