Children's Liturgy Series: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us about what it takes to be His follower and put God first in your life.  Sometimes it means making hard decisions. Sometimes it means taking up your cross and making sacrifices. When we do these things, we will be rewarded for it in Heaven.

Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this children's liturgy class. Please send us the Holy Spirit and fill our hearts with peace and love. Help us to understand what it means to 'take up our cross'. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Simplified version:
Jesus said, if you want to follow Me, you need to put God first in your life. More important than your family, your friends, or even yourself. That's the cost of following Me. If you follow Me, it won’t always be easy—you may have to give up things you like or make hard choices. But if you do these things, you will have the best life with God in Heaven.

Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching us how to be your follower. Give us the courage to pick up our crosses and make good decisions and do what's right even if it means we have to do something hard. Amen.

1. Choosing to Be Kind Over Being Popular
Example: A child sees friends laughing at another student on the playground. Joining in would make them feel included, but instead they choose to stand up for the student or play with them.
Lesson Tie-In: That’s “putting God first” by showing love, even when it’s hard.

2. Sharing Instead of Keeping the Best for Yourself
Example: A child gets a big cookie or the newest toy and really wants it all to themselves, but instead they share it with their sibling or friend.
Lesson Tie-In: This is like “carrying your cross”—choosing generosity over selfishness.

3. Obeying Parents Even When It’s Hard
Example: A child wants to keep playing video games, but their mom or dad asks them to clean their room or help set the table. Obeying feels tough, but they do it with a good attitude.
Lesson Tie-In: Putting God first means honoring parents (Ephesians 6:1), even when it’s not what we want to do.

4. Telling the Truth Instead of Hiding a Mistake
Example: A child accidentally breaks a toy or spills juice. Instead of hiding it, they choose to be honest—even if they might get in trouble.
Lesson Tie-In: That’s a tough choice that shows courage and faithfulness to God’s way.

5. Going to Church or Sunday School Instead of Extra Fun
Example: A child is invited to a fun birthday party or soccer game on Sunday morning, but their family chooses to go to church instead.
Lesson Tie-In: That’s “putting God first”—choosing Him above other fun activities.

Lesson Takeaway:
“Picking up your cross” doesn’t mean carrying a wooden cross like Jesus. It means making hard choices to follow God—choosing what is right, kind, and loving, even if it’s not easy or popular.