Children's Liturgy Guide

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

God's Gift to Everyone

Reading: Matthew 20:1-16a

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 a story about a man who owns a vineyard. He hires workers at different times during the day, but at the end, he pays everyone the same amount. This shows us that God loves to give good gifts to everyone, not just those who came first.

Key Points

  • God's generosity is not based on how long we have known Him or how much we have done
  • God wants everyone to receive His love and gifts
  • We should be happy when others receive God's blessings, not jealous
  • God's ways are different from our ways, and His love has no limits

Background

This parable challenges our human sense of fairness. The workers who labored all day expected more than those who worked only one hour, yet the landowner paid everyone the same denarius. The landowner represents God, whose generosity transcends human calculations of merit. The parable teaches that entrance into the Kingdom is pure gift, not earned wages. The grumbling workers represent those who resent God's mercy toward latecomers. For children, emphasize that God loves giving good things to everyone and wants us to be happy for others when they receive His gifts. Set aside complex discussions about salvation, merit, and eternal reward.

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 understand Your generous heart and to be happy when others receive good things. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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 seen someone share something with a friend, and you wished you got some too? How did that feel?

Example: One time my friend got two cookies and gave one to another kid, and I felt a little sad because I wanted a cookie too, but I did not get one.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes it is hard when others get something and we feel left out. In today's story, Jesus tells us about a man who gave the same gift to everyone who worked for him, and some people were upset about it. Let us listen to find out what Jesus wants to teach 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. Who is the man in the story, and what does he own?

    Example: The man in the story owns a vineyard, which is a big garden where grapes grow on vines.

  2. When did the owner hire workers to help in his vineyard?

    Example: He hired some workers early in the morning, and then he went out again and again and hired more workers later in the day, even near the end.

  3. What happened when it was time to pay the workers?

    Example: The owner paid all the workers the same amount of money, even the ones who only worked for a little bit at the end of the day.

  4. Why do you think some workers were upset about what they got paid?

    Example: I think they were upset because they worked all day long in the hot sun and they thought they should get more money than the people who only worked a little while.

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 when someone gets the same treat as you, even if you worked harder?

    Example: Sometimes I feel like it is not fair because I tried really hard, but then I remember that getting a treat is still nice for everyone.

  2. What could you do if you start feeling jealous when a friend gets something good?

    Example: I could take a deep breath and remember that God loves me too, and I can be happy for my friend instead of feeling sad.

  3. This week, how can you show you are happy when someone in your family gets something special?

    Example: When my little sister gets a new toy or a special snack, I can smile and say I am happy for her instead of saying it is not fair.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about a vineyard owner who paid all his workers the same, even those who came late. Some workers were upset, but the owner reminded them he was being generous to everyone. Jesus wants us to know that God loves giving good gifts to all of us, and we can be happy when others receive His love 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 feel left out or forgotten, that they may know God loves them and has wonderful gifts for them, 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 being so generous to all of us. Help us to share in Your joy when others receive good things. May we always remember how much You love each one of us. 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's Gift to Everyone

Matthew 20:1-16a

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.

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

Words to find

  • vineyard
  • workers
  • generous
  • gift
  • owner
  • grapes
  • payment
  • happy
  • Jesus
  • love
  • share
  • fair

ChildrensLiturgy.org