Children's Liturgy Guide

3rd Sunday of Advent

Year A · Advent

Good News About Jesus

Reading: Matthew 11:2-11

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

John the Baptist sent his friends to ask Jesus if he was really the one God promised to send. Jesus told them to look at all the wonderful things happening: people who could not see were seeing, people who could not walk were walking, and good news was being shared with everyone.

Key Points

  • John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was truly the Messiah, the one God promised
  • Jesus pointed to his actions as proof: healing the sick and sharing good news
  • We can recognize Jesus by the good and loving things he does
  • Advent is a time of joyful waiting and watching for signs of Jesus in our lives

Background

This Gospel shows John the Baptist, now in prison, sending disciples to confirm Jesus's identity. Jesus responds not with a direct claim but by pointing to his messianic works, echoing Isaiah's prophecies about the coming kingdom. The passage includes Jesus's praise of John as more than a prophet, the greatest born of women, yet less than the least in the kingdom of heaven. This paradox points to the new covenant's transformative grace. For children, emphasize that Jesus showed who he was through loving actions, helping people and sharing good news. Set aside the complex discussion of John's role and the kingdom hierarchy, focusing instead on how we can see Jesus at work through goodness and love around us.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us your love. Help us to see the good things Jesus does and to share that good news with others. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever wondered if something special was really true, like if a surprise was really coming?

Example: One time my mom said we were going to visit Grandma and I kept asking if it was really true because I was so excited and I wanted to make sure it was going to happen.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes when we are waiting for something wonderful, we want to be really sure it is true. In today's reading, we will hear about a man named John who wanted to know if Jesus was really the special one God promised to send.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who sent his friends to ask Jesus a question?

    Example: John the Baptist sent his friends to go talk to Jesus and ask him an important question about who he was.

  2. What question did John's friends ask Jesus?

    Example: They asked Jesus if he was the one they had been waiting for or if they should look for someone else to come.

  3. What did Jesus tell them to look at to find the answer?

    Example: Jesus told them to look at all the good things happening, like people who were blind could now see and people who could not walk were walking.

  4. Why do you think Jesus told them to watch what was happening instead of just saying yes?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to see the loving things he was doing because that showed them who he really was better than just words.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it feel when someone shows you they love you by doing something kind?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and warm inside, like when my dad helps me tie my shoes even when he is busy.

  2. What is something good you could do to show someone that you care about them?

    Example: I could help my little brother put on his coat or share my crayons with a friend who does not have any.

  3. This week, who is someone you could share good news with, like telling them something happy or kind?

    Example: I could tell my grandma some good news about something nice that happened at school to make her smile.

Recap

Today we heard how John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was really the one God promised. Jesus said to look at all the wonderful things happening: people were being healed and good news was being shared. We can see Jesus at work when we see love and goodness in the world.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the people who are waiting to feel God's love and comfort, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for showing us who you are through your love. Help us to share good news and to look for you in all the kind things around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Good News About Jesus

Matthew 11:2-11

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

V Q J N G X H E J X O G V T D
H K X T S Z D W U B L L E S E
V C V Y L H I A S G O O U E E
O P H A Y Y E I K G V L Y H S
Y D A M O X W T O D E T F E J
E A B B J A A I V N C C V A E
F H M A D V E N T O N S K L S
M R Y X R J E G Z G W W D I U
D K I N G S C L O H H L J N S
I F K E I G O O D K F G B G P
C E L M N V H E Q T A T U M W
T I O U Y D N Z P V B V R Q H
P R M S U N S E H E D H Y T I
P W K Z E I A U W G L X K S X
L X Y F N H O J R S I W A V G

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • John
  • waiting
  • good
  • news
  • healing
  • love
  • Advent
  • joy
  • promise
  • friends
  • see

ChildrensLiturgy.org