Goal

The goal of this Edge Night is to challenge the middle school youth’s false sense of entitlement. God does not call us to be self-centered or to expect that everything we want will be given to us. Instead He calls us to humility, selflessness, and to trust in Him for our needs.

Edge Night At A Glance

The issue of entitlement affects nearly every middle school youth at some point. In fact, even adults can fall into the trap of relying on their “right” to something instead of adhering to the reality that everything we have is from God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God. The promise [of seeing God] surpasses all beatitude. … In Scripture, to see is to possess. …Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive” (2544). The only thing we really need is God’s grace, and even that is not earned. Be careful that this night stays on topic of the attitude that we have regarding things (feeling entitled) and not that it is a bad thing if we have/own things.

While the topic presents opportunities to teach the youth about Catholic Social Teaching, this Edge Night focuses more on overcoming feelings of entitlement in the young people’s personal lives through humility and awareness. The night begins with a Humble Pie Competition that helps introduce the topic before transitioning into a video clip that sets up the talk. The Proclaim will teach the youth that having an “I am, therefore give to me!” outlook is selfish and that God calls us instead to place our needs before Him and practice humility. Acting as though we are entitled to things is childish, and we must learn to be grateful for all we have and never expect our every wish and demand to be met. During the Break, the youth will discuss entitlement and make a chart of entitlement vs. gratitude. For the Send, the teens will pray the Litany of Humility.