Children's Liturgy Guide

6th Sunday of Easter

Year A · Easter

Jesus Sends a Helper

Reading: John 14:15-21

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

Jesus tells his friends that he will not leave them alone. He promises to send them a special Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will stay with them forever. Jesus wants us to know he is always with us, even when we cannot see him.

Key Points

  • Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Advocate
  • Loving Jesus means following what he teaches us
  • Jesus assures his disciples they will not be left as orphans
  • The Holy Spirit helps us feel Jesus close to us even though we cannot see him
  • This promise of the Spirit is part of Jesus preparing his friends for when he returns to the Father

Background

In this passage from the Last Supper discourse, Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure by promising the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth. The Greek word 'Paraclete' means advocate, helper, or comforter. Jesus connects love with obedience: 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' This is not legalism but relational faithfulness. The promise that the world cannot receive the Spirit because it neither sees nor knows him speaks to the intimate relationship between believers and the Trinity. For children, emphasize the concrete promise that Jesus sends us a Helper who stays with us always, and that loving Jesus means listening to what he teaches. Set aside the theological complexity of the Trinity and the deeper meaning of 'the world' versus believers.

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 Jesus, thank you for never leaving us alone. Help us to feel your love today and to listen to your words. Send your Holy Spirit to be with us as we learn about you. 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 had to say goodbye to someone you love, like when a grandparent goes home or a friend moves away? How did that feel?

Example: When my grandma left after visiting, I felt really sad because I missed her hugs and I wished she could stay longer with us.

Bridge to the reading: It can feel so hard when someone we love has to go away. In today's reading, Jesus knows he will be leaving his friends soon, and he does not want them to feel alone. So he makes them a very special promise about a Helper who will stay with them forever.

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. What does Jesus say will happen if we love him?

    Example: Jesus says that if we love him, we will keep his commandments and follow what he teaches us to do.

  2. Who does Jesus promise to send to his friends?

    Example: Jesus promises to send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will be with them and stay with them forever.

  3. Jesus says he will not leave his friends like orphans. What do you think that means?

    Example: I think it means Jesus will not leave them all alone with nobody to take care of them or love them.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted to tell his friends about this Helper before he left?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to know they would not be sad and alone because someone special would still be with them.

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 to know that Jesus sends a Helper to be with you, even when you cannot see him?

    Example: It makes me feel happy and safe because I know I am not alone and someone is always taking care of me.

  2. Jesus says loving him means listening to what he teaches. What is one thing Jesus teaches that you can do at home with your family?

    Example: Jesus teaches us to be kind, so I can help my little brother when he needs help and share my toys with him.

  3. This week, when you feel alone or scared, how could you remember that Jesus's Helper is with you?

    Example: I could close my eyes and say a little prayer and remember that the Holy Spirit is right there with me.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus make a special promise to his friends. He told them he would not leave them alone like orphans. Instead, he would send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would stay with them forever. Jesus wants us to know that same Helper is with us too, helping us feel close to Jesus and helping us follow his teachings.

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 children who feel lonely or afraid, that they may feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit close to them, 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 sending us your Holy Spirit to be our Helper. Help us to love you by listening to your words and following your teachings. May we always remember that we are never alone. 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

Jesus Sends a Helper

John 14:15-21

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Helper
  • Spirit
  • love
  • promise
  • friend
  • listen
  • truth
  • heart
  • forever
  • commandment

ChildrensLiturgy.org