Gospel of Life Youth Nights
Below are resources and ideas for hosting Youth Nights for each topic included in the Gospel of Life Curriculum.
Topic: Poverty
Goal: True Empathy for the Poor
Teens will explore poverty. They will look at both extreme poverty and practical poverty. Like Mother Teresa, we are called to serve the poor by looking people in the eyes, respecting their dignity, and engaging in works of mercy.
Topic: Abortion
Goal: Understanding a Pregnant Woman in Crisis
Today, with ultrasound and high definition images of unborn babies, it is hard to understand how people can still make the choice for abortion. Teens will reflect on both sides of the issue and learn what is involved in the decision.
Youth Night – Beginning of Life
Topic: Death Penalty
Goal: Learning True Mercy
Teens will explore the concepts of mercy and justice. They will learn what the Church teaches about the death penalty and why. This youth night touches upon core concepts of the dignity of the human person.
Topic: Special Needs
Goal: Recognizing Goodness in Others
Teens will learn the importance of reverencing and loving those with special needs. They will explore the beauty of God’s creation in every human person, regardless of ability, and His unique plan for each of His children.
Topic: Assisted Suicide
Goal: Learning Life-Affirming Options for End of Life Care
The international movement to legalize assisted suicide teaches that some lives are worth living while others have no value. Students will learn about interdependence and what life-affirming options are available for people at the end of life that are in keeping with human dignity.
Youth Night – Assisted Suicide
Topic: Marriage
Goal: How to Have a Successful Marriage
Marriage numbers are decreasing around the world. And, there is much confusion about the nature of marriage and why people even ought to get married. Students will explore the benefits of marriage for individuals and society and learn how to have a successful marriage.
Topic: Immigration
Goal: Building a Christian Community
Students will learn that humans are meant for community, which means loving other people and treating them with respect both in theory and in reality. What does this look like in our culture? We explore the topic of immigration through the lens of building a Christian community.
Topic: The Environment
Goal: Connecting the Environment and Reverence for Life
Pope Francis issued the encyclical Laudato si, the first written specifically on the environment. Students will receive an overview of main points of Laudato si and understand the connection between honoring the dignity of each person, serving the poor and vulnerable, and protecting our environment.
Topic: Adoption
Every child deserves a home and a family. In this lesson. students will learn about the loving choice of adoption and explore stories of people who have been adopted. Students will develop a deeper understanding of what adoption and foster care are and why, as Christians, we take very seriously the responsibility for every child born into the world.
Topic: Knowing My Value
Sometimes it is easier to recognize the goodness and value of other people. It can be difficult to believe that we are good and worthy of respect. Students will learn that taking care of ourselves is part of the call to holiness. God has created us body and soul to praise him through both.
Youth Night – Knowing My Value
Topic: Receiving Mercy
Life is a gift but sometimes we don’t recognize the goodness of God’s plans and we choose to turn away. God is always calling us back to Himself. He invites us to receive His mercy and to extend forgiveness.
Topic: Respecting Others
Every person possesses inherent dignity. This means that persons can never be treated as objects to be used but must be respected as bearing the image of God. In this lesson, students will unpack what it means to respect
others.