Opening Game
For this opening game, you will need a large number of plastic cups, about one per player, and a clear playing area. Divide the group into two teams. One team will work to turn as many cups as possible right side up, while the other team tries to flip them upside down. After setting the cups randomly across the area, give the teams a set amount of time, like one or two minutes, to race and flip cups to their team’s position. When time is up, count how many cups are up and how many are down to see which team wins.
You can find the full instructions here: Cups and Downs Game Instructions.
Alright, everyone, let’s take a moment to think about that game we just played. You saw how quickly things could change. One moment a cup was right side up, and the next it was flipped over. You worked hard to change it back, but it didn’t always stay that way for long. That’s how life feels sometimes, doesn’t it? Things can change so fast, and we don’t always get to stay in the “up” moments as long as we want.
Think about your own life for a moment. There are times when everything feels good, and you feel happy and strong. But then there are times when things don’t go the way you hoped. Maybe you had a tough day at school, or something didn’t work out the way you wanted. Just like in the game, the ups and downs can come quickly, and you have to keep moving and trying, even when it feels hard.
But here’s something important to remember. In life, just like in the game, you’re not alone. You had a team working with you to flip those cups. In life, you also have people who care about you, and most importantly, you have God. He is with you in the ups, and He is with you in the downs. That’s what we’re going to talk about today—how God can help us through the rollercoaster of life and how remembering our “up” moments with Him can help us when we’re in a “down.”
Scripture Reading
Read the following gospel passage:
Mark 9:2-10 (The Transfiguration of our Lord) – the Gospel Reading for the 2nd Sunday of Lent – Year B
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.Mark 9:2-10
Discussion
Imagine that you are with Peter, John and James. Jesus takes you on a hike up a mountain. It is a sunny day. There is a soft breeze blowing. It is nice to get away from the crowds and have a chance to spend some quiet time with Jesus.
Suddenly, something happens. Jesus becomes the brightest thing you have ever seen. Elijah and Moses, who are Old Testament superheroes, show up. Peter even suggests putting up some tents so you could just stay here. And then to top it all off, you hear the voice of the Father, calling Jesus “Beloved”.
And then it is just you and Jesus again. Jesus says, “Let’s go home. And don’t tell anyone about this.”
- What would your reaction be?
- Would you want to stay on the mountain a little longer and talk to Jesus about what happened?
- If you thought Jesus was just a man before, how would the transfiguration change your view of him?
- Would you be ready to go back down the mountain right away?
Now you are back in the local village. Once again, you are with the other apostles. All of the cares of daily life as a disciple of Jesus are right there with you. Somebody has to get food for the meal. Who is going to clean up afterwards? We are moving on to another town tomorrow, and we need to get our things packed up. The more you get caught up in the tasks of the day, the harder it is to remember your experience on the mountain.
The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop helped the apostles understand that he was truly the Son of God, the Light of the World.
Think about your own life’s ups and downs. Moments when you felt incredibly close to God—how do they shape you, especially when you face hardships or mundane tasks? Just like the apostles, you might find that remembering these mountaintop experiences gives you strength and perspective. It’s not just about longing to go back but carrying forward what you’ve learned, letting those moments of closeness to God illuminate your path through darker or more ordinary times.
- Do you think in later days, when the authorities were closing in on Jesus, or later when the early Church was being persecuted, the memory of this experience helped the apostles?
- Can you think of a time when you felt especially close to God?
- Does remembering this experience help you when you experience hardship?
Retreats can often be mountaintop experiences. You can feel so close to Jesus and those around you that you are going to explode with energy. But then you have to go home and deal with homework and chores and siblings. But you will have other times when you feel especially close to God also. These are important also.
Remembering these mountaintop experiences can be really helpful. You can’t go back, but you can remember what you learned. And the memory can help you through more difficult events in your lives
Small Group Reflection Questions
When you move into small groups, remind everyone that this is a time to listen and share with respect. Encourage each person to talk, but no one should feel forced to share more than they want. Remind them that what is said in the group should stay in the group, so everyone feels safe to speak. Give each person enough time to answer, and avoid rushing the conversation.
- What was a high point for you this past week, and why did it feel so good?
- What was a low point for you this past week, and how did you handle it?
- Have you ever had a time when you felt very close to God? What made that moment special?
- How do you keep your faith strong when life feels ordinary or difficult?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted the apostles to wait before telling others about the Transfiguration?
- Do you think remembering good times with God can help when you feel down? How?
- What is one way you can remind yourself of God’s presence during a normal day, like at school or at home?
Challenge
This week, think about a time when you felt really close to God. It might have been at a retreat, during prayer, or even in a quiet moment at home. It was a time when your faith felt strong and real, like you could almost feel God right there with you.
Close your eyes and try to picture that moment. What did you see around you? What sounds did you hear? Was there a smell or something you touched that you remember? Try to feel it again, just like you did then.
Don’t just think about it for a moment and move on. Hold on to that feeling of being close to God. Keep it in your heart as you go through this week.
When things are hard or when life feels boring, remember that moment. Let it remind you that God is still with you, even on the tough days. That closeness you felt is real, and God hasn’t gone anywhere.
Prayer
Let’s take a moment to pray together.
Loving God, we thank You for being with us in every part of our lives. You are with us in the highs, when everything feels great, and You are with us in the lows, when things are hard. Help us to remember that You never leave us.
Lord, thank You for the moments when we feel close to You, like the disciples did on the mountain. Those times give us hope. Help us to carry those memories in our hearts, so they can guide us and give us strength when life feels tough.
Holy Spirit, be with us this week. Help us to see You in the small things and to trust You in the hard things. Give us peace and joy, even when things are not easy.
We ask this through Jesus, Your Son, who loves us and walks with us every day. Amen.
More Resources
See https://young-catholics.com/7694/ups-and-downs-highs-lows-lesson-plan for additional resources: