Children's Liturgy Guide

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Jesus Gives Us Rest

Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

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 invites everyone who feels tired or worried to come to Him. He promises to give us rest and to teach us gently, because His heart is kind and humble.

Key Points

  • Jesus thanks the Father for revealing truth to the humble and childlike
  • Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest
  • Jesus describes Himself as gentle and humble of heart
  • Taking on Jesus's yoke means learning from Him and walking with Him
  • True rest comes from trusting Jesus and letting Him help carry our burdens

Background

This passage contains Jesus's invitation to those who labor and are burdened. The 'yoke' image comes from farming, where two animals are joined together to share work. Jesus uses this to describe discipleship: we are yoked to Him, learning from Him, with Him bearing the heavier load. The theological depth includes Jesus's unique relationship with the Father and His authority to reveal divine truth. For children, emphasize that Jesus is gentle and kind, and that we can always come to Him when we feel tired, worried, or sad. Set aside the more complex Christological claims about the Father-Son relationship.

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 being so gentle and kind. Help us to listen to Your words today and to remember that we can always come to You when we need rest. 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.

Can you tell me about a time when you felt really tired or worried about something, and someone helped you feel better?

Example: One time I was really worried about my first day of school and my mom gave me a big hug and told me everything would be okay, and then I felt much better.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone helps us feel better when we are tired or worried. In today's reading, we will hear Jesus invite everyone who feels tired or worried to come to Him, because He wants to give us rest.

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 does Jesus thank at the beginning of this reading?

    Example: Jesus thanks His Father in heaven. He is praying and saying thank You to God the Father for helping people understand.

  2. What does Jesus invite people who are tired and carrying heavy burdens to do?

    Example: Jesus invites them to come to Him. He says if you are tired and have heavy things weighing you down, come to me and I will give you rest.

  3. How does Jesus describe His own heart in this reading?

    Example: Jesus says His heart is gentle and humble. He is not mean or scary, He is kind and soft and caring toward us.

  4. Why do you think people would want to come to Jesus when they hear these words?

    Example: Because Jesus sounds so nice and kind. If I was tired or sad, I would want to go to someone who promises to help me rest and be gentle with me.

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 inside when you know someone really kind is ready to help you?

    Example: It feels warm and safe inside, like I do not have to be scared anymore because someone strong and nice is going to take care of me.

  2. What are some ways we can come to Jesus when we feel tired or worried?

    Example: We can pray to Jesus and tell Him how we feel. We can also sit quietly and think about Him being with us and helping us feel better.

  3. This week, when might you remember to talk to Jesus and ask Him for help?

    Example: Maybe at nighttime before I go to sleep if I am worried about something, I can tell Jesus about it and ask Him to help me feel peaceful.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus invite everyone who is tired or worried to come to Him. He promised to give us rest because His heart is gentle and humble. We can always talk to Jesus when we need help, and He will be kind to 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 all children who feel tired, worried, or sad, that they may know Jesus is always ready to give them rest and peace, 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.

Just before Communion, we say 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' This prayer shows us coming to Jesus humbly, just as Jesus invites those who are tired or burdened to come to Him with humble hearts.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for being so gentle and humble. Help us to remember to come to You when we are tired or worried, and help us to share Your kindness with others 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 Gives Us Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • rest
  • gentle
  • humble
  • heart
  • tired
  • Father
  • peace
  • kind
  • yoke
  • come
  • burden

ChildrensLiturgy.org