In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus explains that in order to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. In this lesson, students will consider if the things in their life lead them to or draw them away from God.
The Conditions of Discipleship Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year A
Lesson Overview
Upper Elementary Lesson Materials
Download all PDFsDirections
- Begin by reading through the Gospel passage once slowly with your students. You may wish to have them close their eyes.
- Go around the room and have each student say one word, phrase, or idea that jumped out at him or her.
- Spend 2-3 minutes in silence and ask the students to reflect on why that part of the Gospel resonated with them.
- Have students get into groups of 3-4 and hand out the Gospel reading and discussion questions. Have them discuss the questions and then have groups come back together to share answers with the whole class.
Answer Key
Discussion Questions
- How would you describe the exchange between Peter and Jesus at the beginning of the passage? Why do you think Jesus appears to call Peter “Satan”?
Jesus rebukes Peter, because he is not “thinking as God does but as human beings do.” Jesus calls Peter “Satan” because Peter is serving as a stumbling block/temptation for Jesus to not accept his suffering. Accept other reasoned answers. - What do you think Jesus is trying to teach Peter through His response to him? Suffering and hardship are part of discipleship. Accept other reasoned answers.
- Based on this passage, what does Jesus say it means to be His disciple? “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Reasoned summaries of these verses should be accepted.
- Accept reasoned answers.
Lower Elementary Lesson Materials
Download all PDFsDirections
- Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then discuss the focus and reflection questions with them as a class.
- Then, have your students complete the Choosing God activity. When they have drawn a picture of their favorite thing or activity, read the reflection
aloud as they follow along. Then, have them answer the reflection questions. - When they have finished, call on students, or ask volunteers, to share and discuss their answers with the class.
Answer Key
Focus Questions
- He will suffer, be killed, and on the third day be raised.
- He takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him, telling Him that such a thing shall happen to Him.
- He calls Peter Satan and says, “Get behind me!” because Peter is being an obstacle to Him. He is thinking as the world does instead of how God does.
- Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must take up his Cross and follow Him.
- They will lose it.
- They will find it.
Choosing God Reflection Questions
Accept reasoned answers.
