Children's Liturgy Guide

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

God Knows Every Sparrow

Reading: Matthew 10:26-33

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 not to be afraid because God loves them so much. God knows every little sparrow and counts every hair on our heads. We are very special to God, even more precious than sparrows.

Key Points

  • God watches over even the smallest sparrows, showing His care for all creation
  • God knows us completely, even counting every hair on our heads
  • Because God loves us so much, we do not need to be afraid
  • Jesus asks us to tell others about Him and promises to speak up for us in heaven

Background

This passage comes from Jesus's missionary discourse, where He prepares the Twelve for the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel. The Greek word for 'fear' (phobeo) appears three times, emphasizing the theme of trusting God amid opposition. The sparrow reference is striking: sparrows were the cheapest birds sold in the marketplace, yet God attends to each one. The 'hairs of your head' hyperbole underscores God's intimate, exhaustive knowledge of each person. The passage concludes with an eschatological promise: those who acknowledge Christ before others will be acknowledged before the Father. For children, emphasize the concrete images of sparrows and counted hairs as signs of God's personal love and care. Set aside the heavier themes of persecution, denial, and judgment, which require more mature understanding.

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 loving each one of us so much. Help us to remember that You watch over us like You watch over the little sparrows. Help us to be brave and 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 felt a little bit scared or worried, and then someone who loves you made you feel safe?

Example: One time I was scared of the dark at bedtime, but my mom came in and gave me a hug and stayed with me until I felt better.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone who loves us helps us feel safe and not afraid. In today's reading, Jesus tells His friends something wonderful about how much God loves and watches over each one 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. What small bird does Jesus talk about in this reading?

    Example: Jesus talks about sparrows, which are little tiny birds that fly around and chirp in the trees.

  2. Jesus says God knows something special about each of us. What does God count on our heads?

    Example: God counts every single hair on our heads, which is so many hairs that I could not even count them all myself.

  3. What does Jesus tell His friends not to feel?

    Example: Jesus tells His friends not to be afraid, and He says it more than once because He really wants them to hear it.

  4. Why do you think Jesus reminds us that God cares for tiny sparrows?

    Example: I think Jesus wants us to know that if God loves and takes care of even little tiny birds, then He loves and takes care of us even more.

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 inside to know that God knows everything about you, even how many hairs are on your head?

    Example: It makes me feel really special and happy because God must love me a whole lot if He knows everything about me.

  2. When you feel a little scared at school or with your friends, what can you remember from today's reading?

    Example: I can remember that God is watching over me just like He watches the sparrows, so I do not have to be afraid.

  3. This week, how could you tell someone in your family about how much God loves them?

    Example: I could tell my little brother that God loves him so much that God even knows how many hairs are on his head.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell His friends not to be afraid. God loves us so much that He watches over every little sparrow, and He even counts every hair on our heads. We are very special to God, and we can always trust that He is taking care of us.

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 scared or worried, that they may know God is watching over them with love, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank You for caring for the sparrows and for caring for us even more. Help us to be brave this week and to remember Your great 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

God Knows Every Sparrow

Matthew 10:26-33

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

Words to find

  • sparrow
  • afraid
  • Jesus
  • love
  • hair
  • brave
  • God
  • Father
  • heaven
  • trust
  • care
  • friend

ChildrensLiturgy.org