Children's Liturgy Guide

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Forgiving From the Heart

Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

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 reading, Jesus tells a story about a servant who owed a huge amount of money to the king. The king forgave the servant's debt, but then that servant would not forgive a small debt someone else owed him. Jesus teaches us that because God forgives us so much, we should forgive others too.

Key Points

  • God forgives us for so many things, even when we do not deserve it
  • When we have been forgiven, we should share that forgiveness with others
  • Forgiving from the heart means truly letting go of anger and giving the person a fresh start
  • Peter asked if forgiving seven times was enough, but Jesus said we should always keep forgiving

Background

This parable contrasts two debts: ten thousand talents, an impossibly vast sum representing our sins before God, versus one hundred denarii, a small debt representing offenses others commit against us. The king's forgiveness models divine mercy, while the unforgiving servant's response shows the scandal of receiving grace yet withholding it. The parable ends with a severe warning about judgment for the unforgiving. For children, emphasize the simple lesson that God forgives us so much, so we should forgive others, rather than focusing on the frightening ending or the concept of divine judgment. Use the contrast of 'huge' versus 'tiny' debts to make the unfairness vivid.

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 always forgiving us when we are sorry. Please help us to forgive others the way you forgive us, with a kind and loving heart. 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 someone ever forgiven you when you did something wrong, like when you broke something or said something mean?

Example: One time I accidentally knocked over my sister's tower she was building, and she was really sad but then she said it was okay and we built a new one together.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone forgives us and lets us start fresh, does it not? In today's reading, Jesus tells a story about a man who was forgiven something really, really big, and then we find out what he did when someone else needed his forgiveness.

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 came to Jesus to ask about forgiveness?

    Example: Peter came to Jesus and asked him a question about how many times he should forgive someone who does something wrong to him.

  2. In the story Jesus told, what did the king do when the servant could not pay back the huge amount of money he owed?

    Example: The king felt sorry for the servant and decided to forgive the whole debt, so the servant did not have to pay any of it back anymore.

  3. What did that same servant do when he found someone who owed him just a tiny bit of money?

    Example: He grabbed the other man and was very mean to him, and he would not forgive him even though the man begged and the money was so small.

  4. Why do you think the king was so upset when he heard what the servant did?

    Example: I think the king was upset because he had been so nice and forgiven so much, but the servant would not be nice and forgive even a little bit.

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 do you feel inside when you stay angry at someone instead of forgiving them?

    Example: It feels kind of yucky and heavy in my tummy, like I do not want to play or be happy, and it makes me feel grumpy all the time.

  2. If your friend accidentally ripped your drawing at school, what could you do to forgive them from your heart?

    Example: I could take a deep breath and remember it was an accident, and tell them it is okay and maybe we could make a new drawing together.

  3. This week, who is someone at home you could forgive, even if it is hard?

    Example: Maybe I could forgive my little brother when he messes with my toys because I know he just wants to play with me sometimes.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell Peter a story about a servant who was forgiven a huge, enormous debt by the kind king. But then that servant would not forgive the tiny debt someone owed him. Jesus wants us to remember how much God forgives us, so we can forgive others from our hearts too.

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 a hard time forgiving someone who hurt their feelings, that God will help them find peace and let go of their anger, 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.

In the Our Father, which we pray together at Mass, we say 'forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.' This prayer echoes Jesus's teaching that our forgiveness of others is connected to God's forgiveness of us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for teaching us about forgiveness today. Help us to remember how much you forgive us, and give us the strength to forgive others, even when it is hard. 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

Forgiving From the Heart

Matthew 18:21-35

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.

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

Words to find

  • forgive
  • Peter
  • king
  • servant
  • debt
  • mercy
  • heart
  • Jesus
  • sorry
  • kindness
  • parable

ChildrensLiturgy.org