Opening Game
Could You Give It Up Game
Begin the lesson plan on Lent by playing the Could You Give It Up game. In this game, youth think about what they could give up for Lent. See the complete instructions here.
Follow up with these questions:
- Were there things you could give up easily which others could not?
- Do you think it is good to challenge yourself with your Lenten practices?
- Did you get any new ideas for things to give up for Lent?
Some of us give up the same thing every year for Lent. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is good to think about why we are giving it up and if it is bringing us closer to Jesus. Today, we will talk about the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and how they relate to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.
Scripture Reading
Read the Gospel:
Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus is tempted in the desert) – the Gospel Reading for the 1st Sunday of Lent – Year C
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”
Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.
The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”
Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.Luke 4:1-13
Discussion
Lent invites us to experience 40 days in the desert with Jesus. Our Lenten practices help us do this, relating to the three temptations Jesus faced.
First, Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus was hungry, so this was hard to resist. This temptation was about using His power for Himself instead of His mission from the Father.
Jesus responded, “One does not live on bread alone.” He knew doing His Father’s will was more important than pleasure and comfort.
This temptation relates to our desire for comfort and material goods. We resist this through fasting. By giving up something for Lent, we acknowledge that our relationship with Jesus is more important than our desires for food, entertainment, and comfort.
The second temptation was for Jesus to rule all the kingdoms of the world if He worshiped Satan. This temptation was about worldly glory and power, distracting Him from His mission to draw all nations to His Father.
Jesus replied, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and Him alone shall you serve.” He knew all power and glory belong to God, not humans.
We can counter this temptation for power by loving weakness instead. We do this by helping the powerless, such as the poor, immigrants, elderly, and marginalized. Through almsgiving, we help those in need and understand that influence and popularity are not our goals.
The third temptation was for Jesus to rely on Himself instead of trusting His Father. This was about testing His Father and focusing on His own importance, driven by ego.
Jesus answered, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” We must trust God instead of ourselves and not make demands on our Father.
Prayer helps keep our egos in check. Through prayer, we remember our dependence on God and His gifts to us. We put God first, not ourselves. Prayer reminds us of our place in the universe.
As we journey in the desert with Jesus this Lent, we face temptations as He did and can respond as He did. Choose challenging Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This will help control your appetite for pleasure, desire for popularity, and need to put yourself first.
Small Group Reflection Questions
In small groups, youth further explore how Jesus’ time in the desert and His response to temptation can guide our Lenten journey.
- How did Jesus respond to each of the devil’s temptations?
- What can we learn from Jesus’ responses about handling our own temptations?
- Why is prayer important during Lent?
- How can daily prayer help us resist temptation?
- Share a time when prayer helped you in a difficult situation.
- What does fasting mean to you?
- How does giving up something help us focus more on God?
- What are some things you can fast from this Lent that will help you grow spiritually?
- Why is helping others an important part of Lent?
- Who are some people in need in our community that we can help?
- Share an experience where giving to others made a difference in your life.
- Which of the three temptations (comfort, power, ego) do you struggle with the most?
- How can you use prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to overcome this temptation?
- What specific actions will you take this Lent to grow closer to Jesus?
Challenge
This week, take some quiet time to reflect on your Lenten practices. Think about how you are incorporating prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into your daily life. Ask yourself if these practices are helping you grow closer to God and follow Jesus’ example.
If you haven’t already, make a firm commitment to specific acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Choose practices that are meaningful to you and will help you deepen your faith. Consider setting aside a dedicated time each day for prayer, deciding on something specific to fast from, and planning how you will give to others.
Examine the choices you’ve made. Are they challenging enough to push you spiritually? If they seem too easy, consider making them a bit more difficult. For example, if you decided to give up sweets, could you also fast from unnecessary screen time? If you committed to a few minutes of prayer each day, could you extend it to 15 minutes or include a daily Scripture reading?
While it’s important to challenge yourself, be careful not to set goals that are unrealistic. Your Lenten promises should stretch you but should still be attainable. For example, if you have a busy schedule, committing to an hour of prayer each day might be too much. Instead, aim for a consistent, manageable routine that you can stick to.
Share your Lenten commitments with a friend, family member, or your small group. Having someone to encourage you and hold you accountable can make a big difference. You can also discuss any difficulties you face and get advice on how to overcome them.
Keep in mind that the goal of these practices is to grow closer to Jesus and prepare your heart for Easter. Each time you face a challenge or temptation, remember Jesus’ time in the desert and His example of faithfulness and trust in God.
Prayer
As we conclude our reflection, let us take a moment to offer our petitions to God. Think about the areas in your life where you need strength, guidance, or forgiveness. Reflect on the challenges you face in your Lenten journey and the growth you seek. Invite each group member to share their personal intentions aloud or silently. As we pray together, let us support one another in our commitments to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Conclude the lesson plan on Lent by praying the Fasting and Feasting Prayer. See a printable copy here.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more resources and reflections, see https://young-catholics.com/14214/lesson-plan-on-lent/