Children's Liturgy Guide

Palm Sunday

Year A · Lent

Jesus Became a Servant

Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

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

This reading tells us that Jesus is God, but He chose to become a person like us and serve others. He was so humble and loving that God raised Him up, and now everyone will honor His name.

Key Points

  • Jesus chose to leave behind His glory in heaven to become human like us
  • Jesus served others and obeyed God, even when it was very hard
  • Because Jesus was so humble, God gave Him the greatest name of all
  • We are called to be humble servants like Jesus

Background

Philippians 2:6-11 is an early Christian hymn celebrating the kenosis, Christ's self-emptying. Paul teaches that though Jesus existed in the form of God, He did not cling to divine privilege but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death. The theological arc moves from pre-existence, through incarnation and passion, to exaltation, where every knee bows and every tongue confesses Jesus as Lord. For children, emphasize that Jesus chose to help and serve others even though He is King of everything, and set aside abstract concepts like divine nature, pre-existence, and cosmic lordship. Focus on the concrete image of Jesus choosing to act like a helper instead of demanding to be treated like a king.

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 how to love and serve others. Help us to be humble helpers like Jesus was. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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 helped someone even when you could have done something more fun instead? What did you do?

Example: One time my mom was tired so I helped put away the dishes even though I wanted to play with my toys outside.

Bridge to the reading: You chose to help even when you could have done something else. In today's reading, we hear about Jesus making an amazing choice like that. Even though He is God and King of everything, He chose to become a helper and servant for all of us.

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 is this reading about?

    Example: The reading is about Jesus. It tells us that He is God but He came to be with us.

  2. What did Jesus choose to do instead of staying like a king in heaven?

    Example: Jesus chose to become a person like us and to be a servant who helps other people.

  3. What happened to Jesus because He was so humble and obeyed God?

    Example: God raised Jesus up high and gave Him the most special name, the greatest name of all.

  4. Why do you think everyone will bow and say Jesus is Lord?

    Example: I think it is because Jesus loved us so much and He showed us what God is like by helping everyone.

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 important, like a big kid or a teacher, stops to help you?

    Example: It feels really special and nice because they did not have to help me but they wanted to anyway.

  2. What is one way you could act like a humble helper at home this week?

    Example: I could help my little sister put on her shoes in the morning even if I am ready to go already.

  3. When you pray this week, what could you say to Jesus to thank Him for becoming a servant for us?

    Example: I could say thank You Jesus for coming to help us and for loving us so much that You did that.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus is God, but He did not stay far away in heaven acting like a king. Instead, He chose to become a person like us and serve others with love. Because Jesus was so humble, God gave Him the greatest name of all. We can try to be humble helpers like Jesus.

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 find it hard to help others when they would rather do something else, that Jesus will give them strength to serve, 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.

At the end of the Creed, we bow when we say 'and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.' This bow honors the same mystery we hear in today's reading: that Jesus, who is God, chose to become a human being like us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to be humble and to serve others. Help us to follow Your example this week by helping the people around us with love. 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 Became a Servant

Philippians 2:6-11

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • servant
  • humble
  • Lord
  • obey
  • heaven
  • love
  • name
  • helper
  • bow
  • king
  • God

ChildrensLiturgy.org