Opening Game
Start by playing the game “How Good Are Your Survival Skills?” This game tests how well we might survive on our own. Give plenty of time for discussion. Youth will want to talk about their choices.
After the game, ask some opening questions:
- Have you ever thought about trying to survive on your own?
- Do you think you would do OK in a survival situation, or would you need to be rescued?
- Do you think survival would be easier alone or in a group? Why?
Hopefully, none of us will ever need to be rescued in a disaster. But if we do, imagine how you would feel when the first responders show up. You’d feel relieved and grateful, right?
Scripture Reading
Read the gospel:
Mark 5:21-43 (Jesus heals the woman with the hemorrhages and the official’s daughter ) – the Gospel Reading for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
[There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”]
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.Mark 5:21-43
Discussion
In this gospel, we hear of two people desperately in need of rescue.
The woman with the hemorrhages had been suffering for years. She was constantly bleeding. In Jewish culture at the time, blood was considered life. It was as if her very life was seeping away. Even worse, the blood made her ritually impure. This meant she could not go into the temple to worship until it stopped. She was cut off from her faith community and was desperate to be healed.
The synagogue official’s daughter was already gravely ill when he approached Jesus. By the time they reached the house, it was reported that she was dead. It seemed all hope was lost. But Jesus had other plans.
In both cases, the people involved had tried other options first. The woman with the hemorrhages had sought help from doctors. However, they had only made things worse. We can assume that the synagogue official also sought medical help for his daughter.
Imagine how fear and hopelessness could take over in these situations. But instead of giving up, they turned to Jesus for rescue. The woman believed that touching the hem of Jesus’ garment would heal her. The father believed Jesus could heal his daughter. They both acknowledged that they couldn’t handle these difficult situations on their own.
This gospel story shows us that Jesus is always ready to help us, especially in tough times. The woman’s faith in Jesus brought her healing. The official’s faith brought his daughter back to life. Jesus responded to their needs with love and compassion.
We can learn from this that we don’t have to face our problems alone. Jesus wants us to ask for His help. When we feel lost or afraid, turning to Jesus can give us comfort and strength. Just like the woman and the synagogue official, we should have faith that Jesus can help us.
This also teaches us the importance of community. The woman with the hemorrhages was cut off from her faith community because of her condition. When Jesus healed her, He not only restored her health but also her place in the community. The synagogue official sought Jesus’ help openly, showing that it’s okay to seek support from others.
When we are struggling, it’s okay to seek help and not try to handle everything by ourselves. Jesus cares about our struggles and wants to support us. This gives us hope and encourages us to trust in Him more deeply.
We can see the power of faith and how Jesus responds to our needs. We are reminded that Jesus is always there for us, ready to offer His healing and love. This is especially true in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. This gives us hope and encourages us to trust in Him more deeply.
Jesus never promised us a life free from hardship, but He doesn’t expect us to survive on our own. He wants to help us. This gospel story is a powerful reminder of His love and readiness to rescue us in our time of need.
The stories of the woman with the hemorrhages and the synagogue official’s daughter teach us about faith, community, and the power of Jesus’ love. We should remember to turn to Jesus in our difficult times and trust in His ability to help us. This lesson encourages us to rely on Jesus and the support of our faith community. Jesus is always ready to help, heal, and love us. Let us have faith in Him and trust that He will guide us through our challenges.
Small Group Reflection Questions
In this part of the lesson, youth will break into small groups to reflect on the theme of rescue.
Break into small groups and discuss the following questions. Be honest and open with your answers.
- Do you ever feel like you are just barely surviving? Share a time when you felt overwhelmed and needed rescue.
- Have you ever needed God to rescue you from a difficult situation? What happened, and how did you feel after turning to God?
- When you faced that difficult situation, did you turn to God first, or did you try other options before asking for His help? Why do you think you made that choice?
- Why do we hesitate to ask God for help? Discuss any fears or doubts that might hold us back from seeking God’s rescue.
- Think of a person in your life who can encourage you to turn to God when you are struggling. How does their support make a difference?
- Reflect on a time when you witnessed someone else being rescued by God. How did that experience impact your faith?
- What steps can you take to remember to seek God’s help first in times of trouble? Share any strategies or habits that might help you turn to God more quickly.
- How can we support each other in our faith journeys, especially when we need God’s rescue? Discuss ways to build a supportive faith community.
Take time to listen to each other’s stories and offer support and encouragement. Remember, we are all in this together, and God is always ready to rescue us when we turn to Him.
Challenge
This week, keep your eyes and heart open to see where you or a friend is struggling to survive. If you notice someone in need, turn to prayer first. Believe that God will present a solution and be open to what that solution might be. Trust that God is ready to rescue you or your friend.
Remember that you are not alone. Jesus is always with you, ready to help and rescue you in tough times. Turn to Jesus and look to your faith community for support. Share your struggles and pray together. Together, you can find strength and comfort in God’s love and the support of your community.
Prayer
Close with the prayer Prayer to God My Hope in Time of Fear which is based on Psalm 30. It reminds us to turn to God for help and praises God for the many times He has rescued us. Sometimes, we are overcome by fear. We think we can handle it ourselves. But eventually, we find that we need God’s grace. And when we turn to Him, He does not disappoint.
Praise to you Father.
When I am afraid, you are with me.
You are never far from me when I call out to you.
Everyone should know this and praise you.
Sometimes I feel so hurt and alone.
I know you can heal my wounds.
You show me mercy when I sin.
You rejoice when I return to you.
Then I feel like I am on top of the world.
When you are with me I feel no fear.
I know you love me and rescue me.
But then I forget you and go astray.
The fear builds up in me again.
I cry “Help me! Save me Lord! I am lost!”
But then I sense your presence again.
The anxiety leaves me.
Instead of being frightened,
I dance for joy because you have rescued me.
Praise be to you God my Father.
You drive away my sadness.
I will always praise you.
More Resources for the Rescue Me! Lesson Plan
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
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