Children's Liturgy Guide

Ascension of the Lord

Year A · Easter

Jesus Sends Us Out

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

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

Before Jesus went up to heaven, he met his friends on a mountain. He gave them a very important job: to go and tell everyone about him and to baptize them. Jesus promised he would always be with them, forever and ever.

Key Points

  • Jesus gave his disciples a special mission to share his love with the whole world.
  • Baptism brings people into God's family in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus promised to be with us always, even though we cannot see him.
  • We are all called to help others know about Jesus.

Background

This Gospel passage, often called the Great Commission, occurs after the Resurrection and immediately before the Ascension. Jesus appears to the eleven remaining disciples on a mountain in Galilee. The setting evokes Moses receiving the commandments, underscoring Jesus' divine authority. Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, a claim to divine sovereignty. He then commissions the disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the Trinitarian formula. The promise 'I am with you always, to the end of the age' echoes Emmanuel ('God with us') from Matthew's infancy narrative, forming a literary bookend. Some disciples worshiped while others doubted, revealing that faith and uncertainty can coexist. For children, emphasize Jesus' loving promise to always be with us and the idea that we can help others learn about Jesus through our kindness and words. Set aside the theological weight of the Trinitarian formula and questions about Jesus' authority or the disciples' doubt.

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 always being with us, even when we cannot see you. Help us listen to your words today and learn how we can share your love 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 had to say goodbye to someone you love, like a grandparent or a friend who was moving away? How did it feel?

Example: When my grandma went back to her house after visiting, I felt really sad because I missed her hugs and playing with her.

Bridge to the reading: Saying goodbye can feel hard, but sometimes the person we love makes us a special promise to help us feel better. In today's reading, Jesus is about to go up to heaven, but he makes his friends an amazing promise that he will never really leave them.

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. Where did Jesus meet his disciples in this story?

    Example: Jesus met his disciples on a mountain, and they went there because he told them to go there.

  2. What job did Jesus give to his disciples?

    Example: Jesus told them to go and teach everyone about him and to baptize people from all over the world.

  3. What special promise did Jesus make at the end?

    Example: Jesus promised that he would always be with them, every single day, even to the very end of time.

  4. Why do you think this promise was important for the disciples to hear?

    Example: I think they were probably scared or sad that Jesus was leaving, so knowing he would still be with them made them feel brave and happy.

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 make you feel to know that Jesus promised to be with you always, even right now?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and safe because I know Jesus is always watching over me even when I am sleeping.

  2. Who is someone at school or in your neighborhood who might not know how much Jesus loves them?

    Example: There is a new kid in my class who does not have many friends yet, and maybe he does not know about Jesus.

  3. This week, what is one way you could help someone learn that Jesus loves them?

    Example: I could be really nice to my little brother and tell him that Jesus loves him when he is sad or scared.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus met his friends on a mountain before he went up to heaven. He gave them an important job: to tell everyone about him and baptize them. And Jesus made a wonderful promise that he will always be with us, every single day, forever.

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 alone or forgotten, that they may come to know Jesus is always with them, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When the priest baptizes, he says 'I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,' using the exact same words Jesus taught his disciples in today's reading.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for your promise to be with us always. Help us to be brave and share your love with everyone we meet this week. 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 Us Out

Matthew 28:16-20

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • disciples
  • mountain
  • baptize
  • promise
  • heaven
  • Father
  • Spirit
  • always
  • teach
  • nations
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org