Opening Game
Team Towers
As the facilitator, your role in the Team Towers game is to set the tone and keep the energy high. Gather the youth into small groups of three or four and explain the task clearly. Each team will have five minutes to build the tallest tower they can using cups or blocks, but here’s the twist: only one person may touch the materials at a time.
The others can only give instructions and encouragement. This forces the group to communicate well and support one another. After time is up, measure the towers, congratulate the teams, and use the debrief to help them see how the teamwork they just experienced connects to supporting one another in faith.
Now let’s take a minute to think about what just happened. You had to rely on one another to succeed. No one could build the tower alone. You had to listen, communicate, and encourage your teammates. Sometimes it was probably frustrating, and other times it might have been fun. But the important thing is that you worked together to reach your goal.
That’s kind of how life works. We can’t always do everything on our own. We need other people to guide us, encourage us, and remind us of what’s important. Just like in the game, when one person couldn’t touch the materials, others had to step in with directions or ideas. In life, there will be times when we need our friends to speak up and help us see when we’re heading down a wrong path.
Jesus knew this when He told us to help one another, especially when someone is caught up in sin or making harmful choices. He wasn’t telling us to be bossy or to criticize every mistake. He was showing us that faith is meant to be lived in community. Just like in the tower game, we need each other to stand strong. Now, let’s turn to a real-life example to help us see this more clearly.
Imagine your friend had a fork and was going to put it in an electrical socket.
- What would your reaction be?
- Would you try to stop your friend? Why or why not?
- If you didn’t stop your friend and he or she got hurt, would you feel at all responsible?
Scripture Reading
Now read Matthew 18:15-20 – the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Discussion
Sometimes people hear Jesus’ words about correcting others and think it means we should be quick to point out every little mistake someone makes. But that’s not what He is asking. If we did that, people might not want to be around us at all. None of us likes being picked on or criticized all the time. What Jesus is teaching us is that some choices, some sins, are very serious. They can hurt our bodies, our hearts, or our souls. And when those kinds of sins are involved, He wants us to care enough about our friends to say something.
Think about it this way. If you saw someone about to do something dangerous, like sticking a fork in an electrical socket, you wouldn’t just sit back and watch. You’d probably jump up and yell, “Stop!” Why? Because you care about that person’s safety. In the same way, when we see a friend heading toward something harmful—whether it’s abusing alcohol, being in an unhealthy relationship, or even choosing to stop going to Mass—it’s not about judging them. It’s about caring enough to step in before the damage gets worse.
But here’s the thing: how we talk to someone about these choices matters just as much as what we say. If we approach them in a harsh or judgmental way, they will probably shut down. They might even get angry and walk away. But if we speak with love, care, and a genuine concern for them, it can make a huge difference. That’s why it’s important to remember that we are all sinners. We are not better than anyone else. We simply want to help each other stay close to God and make good choices.
To help us see this clearly, imagine one of your friends has made a choice that could really hurt them. First, let’s act out the “wrong” way of talking to them.
Pick a “sin” . It can be something something silly., like a favorite food that nobody else likes. Have two core team members or trusted volunteers demonstrate the “wrong” way. They should be really judgmental and harsh.
How does it feel to hear that? Most of us would want to walk away. Now, let’s try it the “right” way. Speak with kindness, be gentle, and really show love and concern.
Now have your core team or volunteers demonstrate the “right” way. Have them be loving and caring. They should truly show concern for the ”sinner’s” well being.
This time it feels completely different, doesn’t it? Which way would you want someone to use if they needed to talk to you about a mistake you were making?
Another important thing Jesus reminds us of is prayer. It’s not just about having a conversation with your friend. You also need to pray for them. Sometimes you won’t know what to say, or maybe they won’t listen. But prayer is powerful. It places the person in God’s hands, and He can work in ways that we cannot. Prayer keeps our hearts soft too, so that we approach others with patience and love instead of frustration.
This is where the Spiritual Works of Mercy come in. These are ways we can help meet the spiritual needs of others. One is to instruct the ignorant. That doesn’t mean calling someone dumb. It simply means helping someone understand something they don’t know. For example, if a friend doesn’t understand why Mass is so important, you can share about the Eucharist and the strength we get from worshiping as a community.
Another is to counsel the doubtful. Sometimes people are unsure about what is right or wrong, or they struggle with their faith. When you take time to listen and encourage them, you help them find peace and direction. It could be as simple as reminding them to pray or suggesting they talk to a priest.
Admonishing the sinner is another work of mercy. That sounds harsh, but it really just means helping someone recognize when their choices are harmful. Again, the key is love. You’re not out to make them feel bad. You’re helping them see the truth so they can make better choices for themselves and their relationship with God.
Comforting the afflicted is something all of us can do. When a friend is hurting—whether it’s from sadness, stress, or trouble at home—you can offer your support. Listening, praying with them, or just being present shows them God’s love. Sometimes the best gift is simply not letting someone feel alone.
Forgiving offenses willingly is another challenge. It’s easy to hold grudges when someone hurts us. But Jesus calls us to let go and forgive. This doesn’t mean forgetting or saying the hurt was okay. It means choosing peace instead of revenge. God forgives us over and over. We should try to do the same for others.
Bearing wrongs patiently is closely tied to that. Sometimes people will treat us unfairly. Instead of snapping back or getting even, we can choose to stay calm and respond with love. It’s not easy, but it shows true strength and Christ-like humility.
Finally, we are called to pray for the living and the dead. Prayer connects us with the whole Church. We can pray for our family, our friends, people who are struggling, and for those who have died. It’s one of the simplest but most powerful ways to show love.
When we live out these Spiritual Works of Mercy, we show what Jesus meant when He said that where two or three gather in His name, He is there with them. Together we really are better. We lift each other up, support one another, and grow as a community of faith. By caring for each other in these ways, we help bring God’s love into the world. And that is what being a disciple is all about.
Small Group Reflection Questions
When you break into small groups, remind the youth that this is a safe place to share. Encourage them to listen to one another with respect and kindness. Nobody should feel pressured to speak, but everyone should be given the chance. Remind them that what is said in the group stays in the group, unless it involves someone’s safety. The goal is to grow together in faith and learn how to support each other as friends in Christ.
- What makes it hard to talk to a friend about something that could harm them?
- How would you want a friend to approach you if they saw you making a bad choice?
- Why do you think Jesus tells us to first go to someone privately before asking others for help?
- How can prayer make a difference when we are worried about a friend’s choices?
- Which of the Spiritual Works of Mercy do you think is most challenging? Why?
- Which of the Spiritual Works of Mercy do you find easiest to live out with your friends?
- How does remembering that we are all sinners change the way we talk to others about mistakes?
- What are some ways friends can encourage each other to grow closer to God?
Challenge
This week, take what we’ve talked about and put it into action. Think about one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy and find a real way to practice it. You could forgive someone who upset you instead of holding on to the anger. You could comfort a friend who is stressed out with school or family by listening and letting them know you care. Or you could pray every day for someone who needs God’s help, even if they don’t know you’re praying for them. These are small steps, but they can make a big difference.
After you try one of these, take a moment to think about how it felt. Did it change the way you see that person or the way you see yourself? Share your experience with a trusted friend or adult. Talking about it will help you notice how God is working in your life, and it might inspire them to do the same. Remember, every time we live out mercy with love, we make our community stronger and show the world the love of Jesus.
Prayer
Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and place ourselves in God’s presence. Close your eyes if you’d like and take a deep breath. We’re going to pray together to end our time.
Loving God, we thank You for bringing us here today. Thank You for the friends around us and for the gift of our community. You remind us that we are stronger when we support each other and live as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lord Jesus, sometimes it is hard to know how to help our friends make good choices. Give us the courage to speak with love, the patience to listen, and the wisdom to guide gently. Help us remember that we are all sinners who need Your mercy.
Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with kindness and compassion. Teach us to forgive, to comfort, to pray, and to walk with each other. May our words and actions show Your love to the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is always with us when we gather in His name. Amen.
More Resources
For more resources, see https://young-catholics.com/4252/together-were-better-lesson-plan/