Opening Game
Sacred or Silly?
This quick game will help your group loosen up and have a few laughs before diving into the lesson. It also gets them thinking about the difference between what is sacred and what is ordinary or silly.
Have everyone stand up. You, the facilitator, will read out different places or situations. After each one, they have to decide if it’s “Sacred” or “Silly.” If they think it’s sacred, they sit down. If they think it’s silly, they stay standing. You can move quickly and keep the mood light.
Examples to Read Aloud:
- A church during Mass
- A gym locker room
- Your grandma’s living room
- A wedding ceremony
- A theme park
- A classroom during prayer
- The kitchen table at dinner
- A soccer field before a game
- A movie theater
You can mix in a few super funny ones to keep it fun:
- A bathtub full of rubber ducks
- A pizza party in your garage
- A dance-off in the kitchen
After a few rounds, you can let the group sit and ask a few quick questions.
What made something feel sacred to you?
Did any examples surprise you?
Do you think something can be both silly and sacred at the same time? Why or why not?
That was a fun way to start thinking about different spaces in our lives. Some places feel special right away, and others feel more casual or just for fun. But what makes a space feel different? Is it the place itself, or what happens there?
Today we’re going to look at a moment when Jesus got really serious about how people were treating a sacred space. He didn’t laugh or joke about it. He acted quickly and boldly. It might even surprise you how He responded.
Let’s read a passage from the Gospel of John. As we listen, think about what Jesus wanted people to understand about the Temple. Then we’ll talk about what this means for us today—and how we treat sacred spaces in our own lives.
Scripture Reading
Read John 2:13-22 (Cleansing the Temple), the Gospel for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
Discussion
Let’s start with the Gospel story where Jesus gets angry in the Temple. This surprises a lot of people. We usually picture Jesus as calm, gentle, and kind. So why was He so upset? It’s because people were turning the Temple into a place for business, not worship. They were selling animals and changing money right in the Temple area. Jesus saw that they had forgotten what the Temple was for. It wasn’t just another building. It was a sacred space, meant for prayer, sacrifice, and meeting God. That’s why Jesus flipped tables and told them to stop. He cared deeply about honoring God’s house.
Now think about this: If Jesus felt that strongly about the Temple, what does that say about how we should treat our own sacred spaces today? For Catholics, the church is our most sacred space. It’s where we celebrate the Mass. It’s where the Eucharist is present. That means Jesus is truly there. So, when we enter a church, we aren’t just stepping into a building. We’re entering a holy place, just like the Temple in the Gospel.
Let’s compare walking into a church with walking into a store or a gym. In a store, we’re usually thinking about what we want to buy. In a gym, we’re focused on exercise or sports. We might be laughing, talking, or playing music. That’s normal in those places. But in a church, we come to worship, to pray, to be quiet and still with God. The space is different, and how we act should be different too.
But sometimes, we forget that. Sometimes people talk loudly in church, look at their phones, or treat the space like any other place. That’s easy to do, especially if we’ve been going to the same church for years. But Jesus reminds us not to treat sacred places like they’re just ordinary. We need to be careful not to lose our sense of reverence.
You might wonder, why do Catholics kneel, genuflect, or stay quiet in church? These actions are signs of respect. When we genuflect, we’re bending one knee to honor Jesus in the tabernacle. When we kneel, we’re humbling ourselves before God. When we stay quiet, we make space to listen and pray. These things help us remember where we are—and who we are there to see.
So what makes a place sacred? Is it just about the building? Not really. A building becomes sacred because of what happens there. A church becomes sacred because it’s where we celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. It’s where we gather as God’s people to pray and worship. God’s presence makes the space holy. And our love, reverence, and attention to Him help keep it that way.
But here’s something else to think about—God doesn’t just live in churches. He wants to be part of all our lives, not just the “church part.” That means He can be with us in our homes, classrooms, and even on the soccer field. When we pray before a test or invite God into our friendships or family life, those places become sacred too. They might not look like a church, but God is there when we turn to Him.
So yes, we need to treat churches with deep respect. But we also need to carry that same attitude into the rest of our lives. Every space can be touched by God—if we let Him in. And when we do, we become more aware of His presence all around us.
Sacred space isn’t just about buildings. It’s about how we see the world and how we choose to live in it.
Small Group Reflection Questions
In small groups, give everyone a chance to share. Remind the youth that this is a respectful space. No one is forced to speak, but everyone’s thoughts are welcome. Listen to each other without interrupting. Be open and honest. There are no “wrong” answers. These questions are meant to help you think more deeply about sacred and ordinary spaces in your own life.
- Why do you think Jesus was so upset about what was happening in the Temple?
- Have you ever walked into a church and felt something different? What did you notice?
- How do you think God wants us to act when we are in a sacred space like a church?
- Have you ever seen someone treat a church like an ordinary place? How did that make you feel?
- Why do you think we kneel, genuflect, or stay quiet in church? What do those actions mean to you?
- Can you think of a time when you felt close to God in an ordinary place, like home or school?
- What are some ways we can invite God into our everyday spaces?
- How does knowing that God is everywhere change how we live each day?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show more respect in a sacred space?
- What is one way you can make your home or school feel more holy?
Challenge
Here’s your challenge for the week: treat the spaces around you like they matter to God. Start with church. When you walk in, pause and remember that you’re stepping into a sacred space. Genuflect slowly and say a short prayer. Try to stay quiet and focused during Mass, even if your mind starts to wander. Show with your body and actions that you know Jesus is truly there.
Now bring that same attitude into your daily life. Pick one ordinary place—maybe your room, your school desk, or your locker. Take a moment each day to invite God into that space. You could say a short prayer there or put a small reminder of your faith nearby, like a cross or a saint card. When you do this, you’re saying, “God, you’re welcome here.” And that changes everything.
Prayer
Let us take a moment to quiet our hearts. Let’s put away distractions and be still in God’s presence. We are going to close with a prayer. You can pray silently or out loud, whichever feels right to you.
Lord Jesus,
You showed us that your Father’s house is holy. You were filled with love and respect for the Temple, and you taught us to treat sacred places with care. Help us to do the same when we enter your churches. Teach us to kneel with meaning, to listen with our hearts, and to pray with love.
Thank you for being present in the tabernacle. Thank you for the gift of the Eucharist. Help us never to take your presence for granted.
We also thank you for the ordinary places in our lives—our homes, schools, sports fields, and hangout spots. Help us remember that you can be with us in those places too. When we pray, show kindness, or choose to do what’s right, we make those spaces holy.
Jesus, help us this week to be more aware of your presence. Let our words, actions, and choices show that we belong to you. May our hearts become little temples where you are always welcome.
Thank you for the gift of the Church, for our parish, for our friends here, and for the whole Catholic family around the world. Help us to support one another and grow together in faith.
We ask all of this in your holy name. Amen.
More Resources
For more information and resources, see https://young-catholics.com/82089/sacred-vs-ordinary-spaces-lesson-plan/