Children's Liturgy Guide

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

The Lamb of God

Reading: John 1:29-34

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, John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him and tells everyone that Jesus is the Lamb of God. John also shares that he saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and stay with Jesus. John wants everyone to know that Jesus is very special and is the Son of God.

Key Points

  • John the Baptist had an important job: to point people toward Jesus
  • John called Jesus the Lamb of God because Jesus would take away the sins of the world
  • The Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on Jesus
  • John tells others what he saw so they can believe in Jesus too

Background

This passage presents John the Baptist's public testimony identifying Jesus as the Messiah. The title 'Lamb of God' draws on rich Old Testament imagery: the Passover lamb whose blood saved the Israelites, and the suffering servant of Isaiah who is led like a lamb to slaughter. John's witness that the Spirit descended 'like a dove' and 'remained' on Jesus signals Jesus' permanent anointing for his mission. The phrase 'takes away the sin of the world' points to Jesus' redemptive sacrifice. For children, emphasize that John had the special job of telling everyone about Jesus, and that he saw something wonderful: the Holy Spirit coming down like a dove. Set aside the theological complexity of sacrificial atonement and focus on John pointing others to Jesus and the visible sign of the dove.

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 sending John the Baptist to tell people about Jesus. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how we can tell others about Jesus too. 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 something really exciting and wanted to tell everyone about it? Maybe a rainbow, a new baby, or something amazing at school?

Example: One time I saw a double rainbow after it rained and I ran inside to tell my mom and dad to come look at it because it was so pretty and I did not want them to miss it.

Bridge to the reading: You wanted to share something wonderful with others so they could see it too. In today's reading, John the Baptist sees something even more wonderful than a rainbow. He sees Jesus, and he cannot wait to tell everyone about him.

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 did John the Baptist see coming toward him?

    Example: John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him. Jesus was walking over to where John was standing by the water.

  2. What did John call Jesus when he saw him?

    Example: John called Jesus the Lamb of God. He said Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

  3. What did John see coming down from heaven and resting on Jesus?

    Example: John saw the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit came down and stayed on Jesus.

  4. Why do you think John told everyone what he saw?

    Example: I think John wanted everyone to know how special Jesus is. He wanted them to believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

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 you have really good news to share with someone you love?

    Example: I feel so happy and excited inside, like I might burst. I want to run and find them really fast so I can tell them right away.

  2. What are some ways you could tell a friend about Jesus?

    Example: I could invite my friend to come to church with me, or I could tell them that Jesus loves them and wants to be their friend too.

  3. This week, who is one person you could share something good about Jesus with?

    Example: I could tell my grandma about what I learned at church today. Or maybe I could tell my little brother that Jesus loves him very much.

Recap

Today we heard how John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and called him the Lamb of God. John also saw the Holy Spirit come down like a dove and rest on Jesus. John was so excited about what he saw that he told everyone. We can be like John and share the good news about Jesus with the people we love.

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 do not yet know how much Jesus loves them, that someone will share the good news with them, 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.

Right before we receive Holy Communion, we say 'Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.' These are the same words John the Baptist used when he saw Jesus. Every time we hear this at Mass, we can remember today's reading.

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 John the Baptist and how he told everyone about Jesus. Help us to be brave like John and share your love 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

The Lamb of God

John 1:29-34

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • John
  • Lamb
  • Dove
  • Spirit
  • Baptize
  • Heaven
  • Water
  • God
  • Son
  • Believe

ChildrensLiturgy.org