Children's Liturgy Guide

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Making Things Right with Friends

Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

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 or does something wrong. He tells us to talk to them kindly and try to make things better. Jesus also promises that when we come together to pray, he is right there with us.

Key Points

  • Jesus wants us to work things out with friends when there is a problem
  • We should talk to someone privately first, not tell everyone else
  • Forgiving and making peace is important to Jesus
  • When two or three people gather to pray, Jesus is with them
  • Love helps us know how to treat others well

Background

This Gospel passage addresses fraternal correction within the Christian community. Jesus outlines a process for reconciliation: first approach the person privately, then with witnesses, and finally involve the 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 the simple truth that Jesus wants us to talk kindly to friends when something goes wrong, and that Jesus is always with us when we pray together. Set aside the complex ecclesial authority concepts and focus on the relational healing Jesus desires.

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. 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.

Has a friend ever hurt your feelings or done something that made you sad? What happened?

Example: One time my friend took my toy without asking and I felt really sad because I wanted to play with it too and she did not share.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes friends hurt our feelings, and we do not know what to do. In today's reading, Jesus teaches us exactly what we should do when someone hurts us. He shows us how to make things better.

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

    Example: Jesus says we should go and talk to that person by ourselves first, just the two of us together without other people around.

  2. What does Jesus say 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.

  3. Why do you think Jesus wants us to talk to our friend alone first, instead of telling everyone else?

    Example: I think Jesus wants us to talk alone first because it is nicer and the person will not feel embarrassed in front of everyone else.

  4. How do you think it makes Jesus feel when we work hard to fix problems with our friends?

    Example: I think it makes Jesus really happy because he loves us and wants us to be kind and to love each other too.

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 are upset with a friend but you have not talked to them about it yet?

    Example: It feels kind of yucky in my tummy and I keep thinking about it and I do not want to play and I feel grumpy inside.

  2. If your brother or sister did something that made you mad, how could you talk to them the way Jesus wants?

    Example: I could go to them quietly and tell them that I felt sad when they did that thing, and ask them nicely to not do it again.

  3. This week, if someone at school hurts your feelings, what is one thing you can try before telling everyone else?

    Example: I can try to talk to them nicely by myself first and tell them how I feel, and maybe we can be friends again.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach us how to make things right when a friend hurts us. He tells us to go talk to that person kindly, just the two of us. Jesus also promised something wonderful: 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 forgiving.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • friend
  • forgive
  • peace
  • pray
  • together
  • talk
  • listen
  • love
  • kindness
  • heart
  • gather

ChildrensLiturgy.org