Children's Liturgy Series: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us the the parable of the wicked tenants. Jesus teaches us that we must follow  rules and be good contributing citizens, treating each other with dignity and respect.

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 so we can understand the lesson you have for us today. Help us to be inspired to take your words, internalize them, and put them into practice with action in our daily lives. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. 

When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,' They will respect my son. 'But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance. 'They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

1. Recall Questions (What happened in the story?)

What did the landowner plant?
Who did the landowner leave in charge of the vineyard?
When it was time to collect fruit, whom did the landowner send?
How did the tenants treat the servants?
Did the landowner send more servants?
How did the tenants treat those servants?
Finally, whom did the landowner send?
What did the tenants do to the son?
Was that the right thing to do?
Who does the son in the story remind us of?

2. Connect Through Empathy (How did people feel?)

How do you think the landowner felt when the tenants hurt his servants?
Why do you think the landowner kept giving the tenants another chance?
How do you think the servants felt when they were not welcomed?
How do you think the son felt when he went to see the tenants?
If you were the landowner, how would you feel when the tenants hurt your son?
How do you think God feels when people ignore Jesus?
How do you think God feels when we listen to Jesus and follow Him?

3. Real-Life Application (What should we do?)

Scenario 1
Your parents ask you to look after a toy they have lent you.
How should you treat the toy?
Why is it important to take care of things that belong to someone else?

Scenario 2
Your teacher gives you classroom jobs to help with.
How can you show responsibility?
What would happen if you refused to do the job?

Scenario 3
A friend is trying to help you learn something new.
How can you show respect?
What does it look like to listen well?

Scenario 4

Your parent reminds you to tell the truth.
Why is it important to listen?
How does listening show respect?



Scenario 5

You know that Jesus wants us to be kind to others.
What are some ways you can show kindness at school?
At home?

Scenario 6

Someone asks you to share your toys with a younger child.
What might make sharing difficult?
What would Jesus want you to do?
Deeper Gospel Connection
Who was the landowner's son in the story?

Who is God's Son?
Why did God send Jesus into the world?
How did Jesus show His love for us?
What are some ways we can listen to and follow Jesus?

Closing Reflection Questions
What is one thing you learned about God from this story?
What is one thing you learned about Jesus?
Why is it important to listen to Jesus?
How can you show respect for God's gifts this week?
What is one way you can follow Jesus today?

Father in Heaven we thank you for the lesson today. Please bless each one of us in this room. Please give us the grace to be good contributing citizens that are kind to each other. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.