Children's Liturgy Series: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us there is only one God and that we should love Him above everything else in the world.

Father in Heaven, we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this Children's Liturgy lesson. Please send us the Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with peace, love, and understanding.  Help us to have the courage to love God above our friends and family, but also remember that loving people regardless of type, is one of the best ways to show love to God. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus told His friends that loving Him must come first, even before anything else. He said if we love other people or things more than Him, we are not truly following Him. Jesus also said when we help others, even in small ways, like giving a cup of water, we are helping Him too.

He explained that following Him might be hard sometimes, but it is worth it. If we choose to follow Jesus and care for others, God sees it and is happy. Jesus wants us to love Him most and show that love by being kind and helpful to others every day.

1. Recall
Question: What did Jesus say we should love most?
Question: What small kind act did Jesus mention?


2. Empathize
Question: How do you think Jesus’ friends felt hearing they must put Him first, even above friends and family?

3. Connect to real life (with scenarios)
Question: What would you do if you were invited to a concert for a musician you loved but it was at the same time as Mass on Sunday?

Question: What would you do if you had to choose between being kind or fitting in with "popular" kids who are not being kind?

Question: What would you do if you wanted to say grace before your lunch but you feel shy about saying a prayer in front of your friends?

Question: What would you do if you saw a new student sitting alone at lunch.

Question: What would you do if you were tired, but your parent asks for help at home.