Children's Liturgy Series: 3rd Sunday in Lent (Cycle A)

In today's Gospel, we learn about the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well. Not only is the woman an outcast in her own community but she is also a Samaritan woman. At the time, the Jewish people were forbidden to talk to the Samaritan people. Despite the political context, Jesus offers the woman living water demonstrating to us that God's mercy is for all people.

Father in Heaven, we praise and glorify You. We thank you for bringing us together for this reflection.  Please send us the Holy Spirit so we can understand the message you have for us today. Help us to be like the Samaritan woman and be excited to expose others to your love for all mankind, even when they don't believe its for them. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.

One hot day, Jesus was traveling through a place called Samaria. He was tired from walking and sat down beside a well—the place where people came to get water.

A Samaritan woman came to the well to fill her jar. She didn’t expect anyone to be there, and she especially didn’t expect a Jewish man like Jesus to talk to her. Jews and Samaritans did not usually get along.

But Jesus smiled at her and said:
“Will you give Me a drink of water?”
The woman was surprised. She asked, “Why are You talking to me?”
Jesus told her:
“If you knew who I was, you would ask Me for living water.”
She didn’t understand yet.
She looked at the well and said, “But You don’t even have a bucket!”
Jesus explained that the water from the well could only quench thirst for a little while. But the living water He gives brings life, love, and closeness to God forever.
This made the woman curious. She said:
“Sir, give me this water!”

Jesus gently told her things about her life—things He could only know because He was the Son of God. The woman was amazed. She realized Jesus was not just a regular traveler. She said:
“I know the Messiah is coming.”
And Jesus said
“I AM the Messiah.”
Her eyes widened with joy. She left her water jar behind and ran back to her town.
She told everyone:
“Come and see a man who knows everything about me!
Could He be the Messiah?”
People were so curious that they rushed out to meet Jesus. They listened to Him, talked with Him, and invited Him to stay with them.

Jesus spent two days there, teaching and loving the people.
Many in the town believed in Him and said:
“Now we know for ourselves—Jesus truly is the Savior of the world!”

RECALL
Q1: Where was Jesus sitting when He met the woman?
Sample answer: “At the well in Samaria.”

Q2: What did Jesus ask the woman for?
Sample answer: “A drink of water.”

Q3: What special kind of water did Jesus talk about?
Sample answer:“Living water.”

Q4: What did the woman do after talking to Jesus?
Sample answer:“She ran to tell the people in her town about Him.”

RELATED
Q1: How do you think the woman felt when Jesus was kind to her, even though most people weren’t?
Sample answer:“She probably felt surprised and happy.”

Q2: How would you feel if someone knew everything about you and still loved you?
Sample answer: “I would feel safe and accepted.”

Q3: How do you feel knowing Jesus offers love and “living water” to everyone?
Sample answer:“It makes me feel cared for.”

APPLY
Q1: Jesus talked kindly with someone others ignored. What’s one way you can be kind like that?
Sample answer:“I can sit with someone who’s lonely or say hello to someone new.”

Q2: The woman shared the good news about Jesus with her town. How can you share Jesus’ love today?
Sample answer:“By being helpful, loving, or inviting someone to church.”

Q3: Jesus gives “living water,” which means His love never runs out. What can you do when you feel sad or empty?
Sample answer:“I can pray and ask Jesus to help me.”

KEY TAKEAWAY
Jesus knows us, loves us, and offers us “living water” — His love that never runs out.

Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen