Children's Liturgy Guide

4th Sunday of Lent

Year A · Lent

Jesus Helps a Blind Man See

Reading: John 9:1-41

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

In today's reading, Jesus meets a man who was born blind and could never see anything. Jesus puts mud on his eyes and tells him to wash, and the man can see for the very first time. The man believes in Jesus and thanks him for this wonderful gift.

Key Points

  • Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth by putting mud on his eyes and telling him to wash
  • The man obeyed Jesus even though he could not see, and then he was able to see
  • After being healed, the man believed in Jesus and worshiped him
  • Jesus helps us see what is truly important, not just with our eyes but with our hearts

Background

This lengthy Gospel presents the healing of a man born blind as a sign of Christ's identity as the Light of the World. The narrative involves conflict with Pharisees who refuse to accept the miracle, contrasting physical sight with spiritual blindness. The theological depth includes themes of sin, judgment, and messianic revelation. For children, emphasize the concrete healing story: Jesus cared for someone everyone else ignored, the man trusted Jesus and obeyed him, and afterward he believed in Jesus. Set aside the complex dialogues with the Pharisees and the theological discourse on spiritual blindness versus physical blindness.

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. Thank you, God, for giving us eyes to see the beautiful world around us. Help us to trust in Jesus the way the blind man did, and open our hearts to see your love everywhere. 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 do something someone asked you to do, even when you did not really understand why?

Example: One time my mom told me to put on my jacket even though I was not cold, and then later it rained and I was glad I listened to her.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes we trust people and do what they ask, even when we do not understand everything. In today's story, we will hear about a man who could not see anything at all, and Jesus asked him to do something that seemed very strange, but the man trusted Jesus anyway.

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 was different about the man Jesus met in today's story?

    Example: The man was blind, which means he could not see anything at all since he was born as a baby.

  2. What did Jesus do to help the man who could not see?

    Example: Jesus made some mud and put it on the man's eyes, and then told him to go wash in a pool of water.

  3. What happened after the man washed the mud off his eyes?

    Example: After he washed his eyes in the water like Jesus said, he could see for the very first time ever.

  4. Why do you think the man did what Jesus asked, even though it seemed so strange?

    Example: I think he trusted Jesus and believed that Jesus could really help him, so he wanted to try it.

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 do you think the man felt when he opened his eyes and could see for the very first time?

    Example: I think he felt so happy and excited and maybe even a little surprised because he never saw anything before.

  2. When is a time you could trust Jesus, even if you do not understand everything?

    Example: When I say my prayers at night, I trust that Jesus is listening to me even though I cannot see him there.

  3. This week, how could you show someone that you believe in Jesus?

    Example: I could tell my friend at school about how Jesus loves us and helps us when we need him.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus met a man who had been blind his whole life. Jesus put mud on his eyes and told him to wash, and when the man obeyed, he could see. The man trusted Jesus even when it seemed strange, and after he was healed, he believed in Jesus with all his heart.

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 are sick or hurting, that Jesus will heal them and help them feel his love, 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 we profess the Creed at Mass, we say we believe in Jesus Christ, just as the blind man said 'Lord, I believe' after Jesus healed him and revealed who he was.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for helping the blind man see. Help us to trust you the way he did, even when we do not understand everything. Open our hearts to see your love all 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

Jesus Helps a Blind Man See

John 9:1-41

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • blind
  • eyes
  • mud
  • wash
  • see
  • trust
  • believe
  • healed
  • light
  • pool
  • faith

ChildrensLiturgy.org