Children's Liturgy Guide

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Making Things Right with Friends

Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

Sunday, September 6, 2026 Last Used: Sunday, September 6, 2026 Get current guides from This Week or browse the Calendar.

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 Gospel, Jesus teaches us what to do when a friend hurts our feelings. He tells us to first talk to them kindly by ourselves. If that does not fix things, Jesus says it is good to bring someone else to help, like a grown-up we trust. Jesus wants us to work together to make peace and stay friends.

Key Points

  • Jesus wants us to work things out with friends when there is a problem
  • We should talk to the person kindly first, talking right to them
  • If talking alone does not help, we can bring others, like a trusted grown-up to help us
  • Getting help from others is a normal, good part of making things right
  • When two or three people gather to pray, Jesus is with them

Background

This Gospel passage addresses fraternal correction within the Christian community. Jesus outlines a process for reconciliation: first approach the person privately, then with one or two witnesses, and finally involve the wider community. The theological depth here involves the Church's authority to bind and loose, and the promise of Christ's presence in communal prayer. For children, emphasize that Jesus gives us steps to follow: first we try talking kindly to our friend alone, and if that does not make things better, it is good and right to bring someone else to help, which for a child means a parent, teacher, or trusted grown-up. Set aside the complex ecclesial authority concepts. Frame getting help as a natural, normal part of making peace, not as an emergency or last resort. Keep examples to ordinary playground or friendship conflicts. The goal is reconciliation and staying friends, not punishment or tattling.

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 with us whenever we come together to pray. Help us learn how to be good friends and to make things right when we have problems with others. Teach us to ask for help when we need it. We love you. Amen. 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 tried to fix a problem with a friend by yourself, but it was just too hard to do alone? What happened?

Example: One time my friend would not give back my crayon and I asked nicely but she still would not, so I felt stuck and did not know what to do next.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes we try really hard to fix things with a friend, but it is just too tricky to do by ourselves. In today's reading, Jesus teaches us exactly what to do. He gives us steps to follow, and one of those steps is to get help from someone we trust.

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.

Matthew 18:15-20

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 does Jesus say we should do first when someone hurts us or does something wrong?

    Example: Jesus says we should talk directly to the person who hurt us and try to work things out with them, instead of talking about them to everyone else.

  2. What does Jesus say to do if talking to the person alone does not make things better?

    Example: Jesus says if talking alone does not work, we should bring one or two other people with us to help fix the problem together.

  3. What does Jesus promise will happen when two or three people come together to pray?

    Example: Jesus says that when two or three people gather together to pray, he will be right there with them in that place.

  4. Why do you think Jesus gives us more than one step to follow when we are trying to make things right?

    Example: I think Jesus knows that sometimes talking by yourself is hard and does not always work, so he wants us to know it is okay to get help.

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 try to fix a problem with a friend but it is not getting better?

    Example: It feels really frustrating and kind of sad in my heart because I want to be friends again but I do not know what else to do.

  2. If you told a friend kindly that something they did hurt your feelings, but they kept doing it, who is a grown-up you could ask for help?

    Example: I could ask my mom or dad for help, or I could tell my teacher because they are really good at helping us work things out.

  3. This week, if something goes wrong with a friend and talking to them yourself does not fix it, what will you remember from today's lesson?

    Example: I will remember that Jesus said it is good to get help from someone I trust, like my teacher or my parents, to help us make peace.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach us how to make things right when a friend hurts us. First, we try to talk directly to them kindly. But if that does not work, Jesus says it is good and right to bring someone else to help, like a parent or teacher. Jesus also promised that whenever we come together to pray, even just two or three of us, he is right there with 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 are having trouble with a friend and need help making things right, 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 pray the Our Father together at Mass, we say 'forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.' This connects directly to today's reading about making things right with others and working toward peace and forgiveness.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us how to be good friends. Help us to talk kindly when someone hurts us, and give us courage to ask for help when we need it. Thank you for being with us whenever we pray together. 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

Making Things Right with Friends

Matthew 18:15-20

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • friend
  • forgive
  • peace
  • pray
  • together
  • help
  • listen
  • love
  • kindness
  • heart
  • trust

ChildrensLiturgy.org