Opening Game
Spot the Difference
To start this lesson, play Spot the Difference, a game that helps youth think about how observant they are. Choose two volunteers to stand in front of the group. Have everyone study them for about 30 seconds. Then, send the volunteers out of the room to change small details about their appearance—like switching shoes, rolling up a sleeve, or taking off a watch. When they return, the rest of the group must figure out what changed. You can repeat this with different volunteers.
For full instructions, visit Spot the Difference Game.
- What was the most subtle difference you noticed?
- Who seemed to be the best at noticing differences?
- Did you use any strategies for trying to be more observant?
In this game, you were focused on looking for changes. Since you knew something would be different, you paid close attention. You were more observant than usual. But in everyday life, we don’t always notice things that are right in front of us.
Think about the people around you at school, church, or in your neighborhood. Some of them might be feeling invisible, but because we aren’t looking for them, we don’t see them. We go about our day, focused on our own routines, and miss the ones who are sitting alone or hoping someone will notice them.
Jesus calls us to be aware of the people around us. Just like you had to pay attention in the game, we need to train ourselves to see others—especially those who feel unseen. This lesson will help us open our eyes and learn to notice the people we might usually overlook.
Scripture Reading
Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich Man and Lazarus) – the Gospel Reading for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”Luke 16:19-31
Discussion
The rich man in Jesus’ story had everything—nice clothes, good food, and a comfortable life. And right outside his door was Lazarus, covered in sores, starving, and miserable. The rich man must have walked past him every day. Maybe he saw him. Maybe he didn’t. Either way, he ignored him. Lazarus was invisible to him. The rich man had the power to help, but he chose not to.
Then everything changed. Both men died. Lazarus was carried to a place of comfort with Abraham, and the rich man found himself in torment. Now, suddenly, the rich man could see Lazarus. He begged for help. Just a drop of water. But it was too late. He had spent his life ignoring Lazarus, and now there was nothing that could be done.
This parable isn’t just about a rich man and a beggar. It’s about all of us. Jesus is warning us that we can be just like the rich man. Maybe we don’t walk past a starving man every day, but we do walk past people who feel unseen, unimportant, and invisible. Sometimes we don’t notice them. Other times, we see them but don’t take the time to care.
Think about your own life. Who do you pass by without really seeing? Who feels invisible in your school, your church, or your community?
Maybe there’s a girl who always eats lunch alone. You see her every day, but you never think to invite her to sit with you. She’s just there in the background. You’re not being mean to her, but you’re not including her either. What if one day you simply said, “Hey, want to sit with us?” That small action could mean everything to her.
Maybe there’s a guy who always talks about his hobbies or interests, but no one really listens. People might even roll their eyes when he starts talking. Have you ever stopped to really hear what he has to say? Have you ever asked him questions and shown genuine interest? You don’t have to be best friends, but giving him your attention can make him feel valued instead of invisible.
Or maybe there’s a classmate who looks disappointed after checking the callback list for the school play. She didn’t make it. You don’t know her well, so you just walk past. What if instead, you took a second to say, “I saw your audition. You were really great.” That moment of kindness could lift her spirits.
The truth is, there are invisible people all around us. We don’t always mean to ignore them, but we do. We get comfortable in our routines and social groups. We focus on our own problems and don’t take time to notice others. But Jesus calls us to do better. He wants us to really see people—to show kindness, to include, to listen, and to care.
It can take courage to step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new. But small actions can make a big difference. A smile. A greeting. A short conversation. These things might seem small to you, but they can mean the world to someone who feels invisible.
Don’t wait until it’s too late, like the rich man did. Start seeing people now. Who will you notice today?
Small Group Reflection Questions
Small group discussions help youth reflect on the lesson and apply it to their lives. Encourage them to share their thoughts honestly. Remind them that everyone’s perspective is valuable, and listening is just as important as speaking. Some may be hesitant to share, so be patient and create a welcoming space. Use the questions below to guide the conversation.
- Have you ever felt invisible? What happened, and how did it make you feel?
- Have you ever been in a situation where you ignored someone who needed attention? What kept you from reaching out?
- Who are the people in your school, church, or community who might feel invisible?
- What are some small ways you can help others feel seen and valued?
- Why do you think the rich man ignored Lazarus? Do we sometimes act like the rich man without realizing it?
- Jesus noticed people who were often ignored by society. What can we learn from His example?
- How does this lesson connect to our Catholic faith and Jesus’ call to love our neighbor?
- What challenges might you face when trying to notice and include others? How can you overcome them?
- What is one thing you can do this week to make someone feel less invisible?
Challenge
This week, challenge yourself to notice people outside of your usual friend group. Pay attention to the ones who sit alone, who walk quietly through the halls, or who don’t seem to have many people to talk to. When you see them, take a small step—greet them, ask how their day is going, or give them a simple compliment. It doesn’t have to be a big conversation. Just letting them know you see them can make a difference.
If this feels awkward or uncomfortable, that’s okay. It’s not always easy to step out of your routine. But think about how you would feel if you were the one being overlooked. A little effort can go a long way. Try it once, then again, and see what happens. You might brighten someone’s day. You might even make a new friend. Most importantly, you’ll be living out the love Jesus calls us to show.
Prayer
Before we end, let’s take a moment to pray for the people in our lives. Think about those who might feel invisible—the ones who are left out, lonely, or struggling. Pray that they feel seen and valued. Ask God to help you notice them and show them kindness.
Let’s also pray for ourselves. Ask God to open our hearts so we can love others the way He calls us to. Pray for the courage to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who need a friend.
To close, let’s pray together using the Prayer to Love One Another. (Printable copy here.) Let these words remind us that love is more than just a feeling—it’s something we live out every day. As we go forward, may we see others the way God sees them and share His love with everyone we meet.
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/17475/invisible-a-lesson-plan-on-seeing-others/