Opening Game
We’re going to start with a game called Minefield. Here’s how it works:
- We’ll divide everyone into teams.
- Each team will choose one person to be the caller. The rest of the team members will be blindfolded.
- The goal is for the blindfolded players to make it through a course full of obstacles. Only the caller can give them directions to help them get through safely.
- The blindfolded players can’t see anything, so they must rely on the caller’s voice to guide them.
See the complete instructions for the game and some notes.
After the game, discuss how it went.
- Did your caller give you good directions?
- Why is listening important in this game? What could have happened if you listened to the other team’s caller instead of your own?
- How did trust play a part in navigating the course?
This game teaches us a lot about listening and trusting the right voice, just like when we follow Jesus. As we saw, it was really important to listen carefully to your caller. Without clear instructions, it was easy to get lost or bump into obstacles. In the same way, following the right voice is crucial in our faith journey. We are surrounded by many voices and distractions, but only one voice will guide us safely—Jesus’ voice.
This connects to a moment in the Bible when some of Jesus’ followers faced a choice. In the Gospel of John, Jesus taught about being the Bread of Life, which was hard for many to understand. Some were confused and started to turn away from Him. But Jesus asked His disciples if they would leave too. Let’s read the passage from John 6:60-69 to see how Peter responded and what it teaches us about following Jesus.
Scripture Reading
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”John 6:60-69 – the Gospel for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Discussion
In our faith journey, we all face obstacles and challenges. Just like any path we walk in life, following Jesus isn’t always easy. There are times when we doubt what we believe. We might feel pressure to fit in with the world or follow what others are doing. Temptations can also pull us away from what Jesus teaches. In these moments, it’s important to listen to the right voice. But how do we know which voice to trust?
The world is full of different opinions, voices, and ideas. Some voices may tell us that we need to focus on ourselves more, seek out wealth, or chase after popularity. These voices can sound convincing, but they often lead us away from the teachings of Christ. If we follow these voices, we might feel empty or lost. True happiness doesn’t come from chasing after these things. Jesus offers something better. His voice is the voice of truth, love, and hope. When we listen to Jesus, He shows us the way to live with real purpose and joy.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean life will always be smooth. Even the disciples faced tough choices and doubts. But what made them different was their decision to keep following Jesus, no matter what. They stayed with Him, trusted Him, and believed in His wisdom. When we face challenges, we can look to their example. Even when things get hard, Jesus is there to guide us.
One way to stay connected to Jesus is through prayer. Prayer helps us listen to God and bring our struggles to Him. It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey. Another way is by reading the Bible. In the Scriptures, we find Jesus’ words and teachings. His words remind us of what’s true, even when the world tries to distract us. We can also seek advice from people who are strong in their faith, like trusted mentors or spiritual leaders. These people can help us stay on track and give us guidance when we feel unsure.
Sometimes, following Jesus can feel lonely. The world might tell us that we’re missing out or that we’re different for choosing a life of faith. But Jesus reminds us that the path He offers leads to something far greater. It’s not just about fitting in with the world; it’s about finding true joy and peace in Him. Jesus said that His words are filled with Spirit and life. When we follow Him, we’re not just following rules; we’re following the One who gives us eternal life.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches about the Eucharist. He says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54). This teaching was hard for many of His followers to accept. Some were impressed by His miracles but couldn’t handle this difficult message. They decided to leave Him. But Jesus didn’t water down His message. He knew that following Him would be challenging, but He also knew it was the only way to true life.
When some followers left, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked if they would leave too. Peter responded with faith, saying, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Peter understood that Jesus was the only one worth following, even when His teachings were hard. He knew that following Jesus was the path to eternal life.
Peter’s response teaches us something important. When we follow Jesus, we might face moments of doubt or confusion. We might not always understand everything. But, like Peter, we need to remember that Jesus has the words of eternal life. There is nowhere else we should go. No other path will lead us to real fulfillment. Even when things are hard, even when we don’t understand everything, we need to trust that Jesus knows what’s best for us.
Following Jesus means choosing faith, even when it’s difficult. It means trusting Him over the voices that try to lead us away. The world may offer us distractions, but Jesus offers us something real—eternal life and a deeper relationship with God. When we choose to follow Him, we are saying yes to a life that matters, a life that brings us closer to God and to the purpose He has for us.
So, where should we go? Let’s stay close to Jesus. Let’s follow Him, even when the path is hard, knowing that He is leading us to eternal life. He will guide us, strengthen us, and give us the grace we need to overcome any obstacle. Following Jesus is the way to true fulfillment, and it’s a journey worth taking.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Facilitators, encourage your group to openly share their thoughts and experiences as they discuss these questions. Remind them that following Jesus is a personal journey, and everyone’s perspective is valuable. Make sure everyone has a chance to speak, and feel free to let the conversation flow naturally. These questions are meant to spark deeper reflection on how we can live as followers of Jesus in our daily lives.
- What can you do this week to focus more on following Jesus in your daily life?
- What does following Jesus mean to you personally?
- Have you ever faced challenges or doubts when trying to follow Jesus? How did you overcome them?
- In what ways can prayer and Scripture help us stay close to Jesus?
- How does peer pressure or worldly influences affect your ability to follow Jesus?
- Why is trusting Jesus important, especially when things are difficult?
- What role does the Eucharist play in your journey of following Jesus?
- How can we help others stay on the path of following Jesus?
- When was a time you felt distant from Jesus? How did you reconnect with Him?
- How does following Jesus bring peace and joy into your life?
Challenge
When you face a tough choice, take a moment to pause and ask Jesus what He wants for you. Pray and listen to His voice in your heart. Sometimes the answer may not be clear right away, so don’t be afraid to seek guidance from a youth minister, lay leader, or priest. They can help you find the direction Jesus wants you to take. Following Jesus means making decisions with His help, even when it’s not easy.
If you’ve wandered off the path or made choices that led you away from Jesus, know that He is always calling you back. Jesus wants to forgive and heal you. One of the best ways to return is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In confession, you receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Jesus doesn’t hold your mistakes against you. He takes your hand and leads you forward with love and grace, helping you start fresh.
Prayer
Let’s gather in a circle and take a moment to quiet our hearts. We are going to close with a prayer that reminds us how important it is to stay connected to Jesus through prayer, especially when we face challenges in life. Prayer helps us listen to Jesus and find the strength to follow Him, no matter what comes our way.
This prayer is called the Walk by Faith prayer. It encourages us to trust Jesus and ask for His guidance as we walk through life. If you’re ever feeling unsure or lost, remember this prayer. You can use it any time to reconnect with Jesus and seek His help.
Let’s pray together:
Jesus,
Help me to walk by faith.
When I face challenges, give me the strength to trust You.
When I am unsure, guide me on the right path.
When I feel weak, fill me with Your grace.
Help me to remember that You are always with me.
Teach me to follow You, no matter what life brings.
Let Your love and light shine through me.
Amen.
Get a printable copy of the Walk by Faith Prayer here.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/10527/where-should-we-go-following-jesus/