Opening Game
Silent Birthday Line-Up
This activity helps the group think about communication in a new way. Have everyone stand in a large space and explain that their goal is to line up in order of their birthdays, from January to December. However, they cannot talk, write, use their phones, or make any sounds. They will need to find creative ways to communicate their birth month and day using only gestures and body language.
Give them a few minutes to work together, then check their order by having each person say their birthday out loud. If needed, let them adjust their positions. This fun challenge will lead into an important discussion about how we share messages with others.
For full instructions, visit: Silent Birthday Line-Up Game.
Discussion Questions:
- Did you have to think of different ways to communicate?
- Did some people stand out as leaders?
- What would have happened if nobody had communicated with one or two people?
That task would have been impossible if some people had been left out. Even though you couldn’t use words, you found ways to communicate so that everyone was included. Imagine if just a few people had worked together and ignored the rest of the group. The line-up would not have been correct, and some people would have felt frustrated or left out. To succeed, you had to make sure everyone got the message.
This connects to how we share our faith. Jesus told His followers to spread the Gospel to the whole world, not just to a few people. He didn’t say, “Tell the people you are comfortable with” or “Only share with those who already believe.” He sent His disciples out to everyone. Just like in the game, if we only share the message with certain people and leave others out, we are not completing the mission He gave us.
Sometimes, we might feel unsure about how to share our faith. We might think we don’t have the right words or worry that people won’t understand. But just like in the game, communication happens in many ways. We don’t always have to use words. We can spread the Gospel through our actions, kindness, and the way we treat others. The important thing is making sure that we are living out our faith and not leaving anyone out of God’s love.
Scripture Reading
Read the gospel: Mark 16:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.Mark 16:15-20 – the Gospel for the Feast of the Ascension Year B
Discussion
The Gospel reading from Mark 16:15-20 speaks directly to the importance of spreading the Gospel to the whole world. Jesus gives His disciples a clear mission: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to every creature.” He tells them that those who believe and are baptized will be saved, but those who do not believe will be condemned. These are strong words, and they remind us that faith in Jesus is not just something personal—it is something we are called to share with others.
As Catholics, we have a responsibility to spread the Gospel to the whole world. But sometimes, that can feel overwhelming. Maybe we think, “I’m not a priest, how can I share the Gospel?” or “What if people don’t want to hear about my faith?” It can be easy to keep our beliefs to ourselves, especially when we are around people who might not understand or agree with us. We may feel comfortable talking about our faith with our closest friends or youth group members, but Jesus’ command goes beyond that. He calls us to share the message of salvation with everyone—not just those who already believe, but also those who are searching, struggling, or even indifferent.
Think about it: Jesus didn’t just stay in one place and talk to the people who already followed Him. He went out to the crowds, to sinners, to those who were ignored by society. He shared the truth with everyone. He loved people where they were, but He also invited them to something greater. We are called to do the same. Spreading the Gospel to the whole world means stepping out of our comfort zones. It means being open about our faith, even when it feels a little scary or awkward.
There are many ways to share the Gospel. Just like we saw in the game we played at the beginning of this lesson, communication is more than just words. Our actions, attitudes, and choices can also share our faith. Think about how you act around others—do your words and actions show that you follow Jesus? Do people see kindness, honesty, and joy in you? When we live out our faith in daily life, we are already spreading the Gospel to the whole world in a simple but meaningful way.
Sharing your faith doesn’t mean you have to preach on a street corner or argue with people who don’t believe in God. Instead, it can be as simple as telling a friend, “I’m going to Mass this Sunday, do you want to come with me?” or choosing to say something positive when others are gossiping. It can be wearing a cross necklace or praying before a meal, even in a public place. These small actions show that your faith is real and important to you.
This Gospel reading challenges us to think about the people in our lives who might need to hear the message of salvation. Maybe it’s a friend who is struggling and needs hope. Maybe it’s a family member who has drifted away from the faith. Maybe it’s someone at school who has never really learned about Jesus. Who in your life needs to hear about God’s love? How can you share the Gospel with them in a way that feels natural and genuine?
We are not alone in this mission. God does not ask us to spread the Gospel to the whole world on our own strength. He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can pray for courage and for the right moments to share our faith. We can ask God to open people’s hearts and to give us the right words. The more we trust in Him, the easier it becomes to share the good news.
In the end, spreading the Gospel is about love. When we love others enough to share the truth with them, we are doing exactly what Jesus asked us to do. It’s not about having all the answers or knowing every Bible verse. It’s about showing people that Jesus is real, that He loves them, and that following Him leads to joy and peace.
So let’s take this message seriously. Let’s look for ways—big and small—to spread the Gospel to the whole world. It starts with the people around us, in our schools, families, and communities. One conversation, one act of kindness, one invitation to Mass could change someone’s life. Let’s be bold in our faith and trust that God will use us to bring His love to others.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Small group discussions help young people think more deeply about their faith and how they can share it. Encourage them to listen to each other and be respectful. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—this is a chance to reflect and grow. Remind them that spreading the Gospel to the whole world starts with simple conversations like these.
- How do you feel about sharing your faith with others? What makes it easy or difficult for you?
- Have you ever had an opportunity to talk about your faith? How did it go?
- What are some simple ways you can spread the Gospel to the whole world in your daily life?
- Why do you think Jesus commanded His followers to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel?
- What fears or challenges might keep you from sharing your faith? How can you overcome them?
- Think of someone in your life who might need to hear about God’s love. How can you reach out to them in a natural and caring way?
- How can prayer help you when you feel nervous about sharing the Gospel?
- What do you think it means to “live your faith” in a way that attracts others to Jesus?
- How can social media be used to spread the Gospel to the whole world? What are some dangers to avoid?
- What is one thing you can do this week to share your faith in a small but meaningful way?
Challenge
This week, take some time to think about someone in your life who might need to hear about God’s love. It could be a friend, a classmate, or even a family member. Maybe they are struggling with something, feeling lost, or just unsure about faith. Ask yourself, how could I share the message of salvation with them? It doesn’t have to be a big conversation—it could be as simple as inviting them to Mass, sending them a Bible verse, or showing kindness when they need it most. Sometimes, our actions speak louder than words.
Before you take action, pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Ask for the right words and the courage to speak when the moment comes. Trust that God will create opportunities for you to share your faith in a natural way. When you feel that nudge to say something or do something, don’t ignore it—step forward with confidence. Spreading the Gospel to the whole world starts with small, faithful steps. You never know how one conversation or act of love could change someone’s life.
Prayer
Let us take a moment to quiet our hearts and turn to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to share Your love with the world. You have given us the gift of faith, and we want to share it with others. Help us to be bold and joyful in spreading the Gospel to the whole world.
Jesus, You told Your disciples to go and preach to all people. Sometimes we feel nervous or unsure about sharing our faith. Give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones. Help us to trust that You are always with us.
Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with wisdom and strength. Guide us in our words and actions. Show us the people in our lives who need to hear about Your love. Help us to be lights in the world, reflecting Your truth and kindness.
Lord, we offer ourselves to You. Use us to bring Your message to those who need it. May we always live in a way that draws others closer to You.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
For more resources for the Spreading the Gospel to the Whole World Lesson Plan, see https://young-catholics.com/8643/spreading-gospel-whole-world-lesson-plan/