Children's Liturgy Guide

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

The Two Greatest Commandments

Reading: Matthew 22:34-40

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

A man asked Jesus which rule was the most important. Jesus said we should love God with our whole heart and love other people just like we love ourselves. Jesus said these two loves are the most important of all.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that loving God comes first and is the greatest commandment
  • Loving our neighbor as ourselves means treating others the way we want to be treated
  • These two commandments work together and sum up all of God's laws
  • When we love God and love others, we are following what God wants most

Background

In this Gospel, a Pharisee tests Jesus by asking which commandment is greatest. Jesus responds by combining Deuteronomy 6:5 (the Shema, central to Jewish prayer) with Leviticus 19:18, linking love of God and love of neighbor as inseparable. The phrase 'heart, soul, and mind' represents the totality of one's being. Jesus elevates these two commandments as the foundation upon which all other laws depend. For children, emphasize the simple truth that Jesus wants us to love God the most and to love other people the same way we love ourselves. Set aside the testing context and the theological complexity of how love fulfills the law.

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 us so much. Help us to love You with our whole hearts and to love the people around us the way Jesus taught. 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.

What are some ways you show someone that you love them?

Example: I give my mom big hugs and I help my little brother find his toys when he loses them and I share my snacks with my friends at school.

Bridge to the reading: You just shared wonderful ways to show love! In today's reading, someone asks Jesus a very important question: what is the most important rule of all? Jesus answers by telling us about love.

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 ask Jesus a question in this reading?

    Example: A man came to ask Jesus a question. He wanted to test Jesus and see what he would say about the rules.

  2. What did Jesus say was the greatest and most important commandment?

    Example: Jesus said the most important rule is to love God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.

  3. What was the second commandment Jesus talked about?

    Example: Jesus said the second rule is to love your neighbor as yourself, which means loving other people like you love yourself.

  4. Why do you think Jesus said loving God and loving others are the two most important rules?

    Example: I think because when we love God and love people, we are being good and kind and that makes God happy and helps everyone.

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 when someone shows you that they love you?

    Example: It feels really good and warm inside, like when my grandma gives me a hug and tells me I am special to her.

  2. What is one way you could love God with your whole heart?

    Example: I could talk to God in my prayers every night and say thank you for my family and my home and everything.

  3. This week, who is one person you could love better, and how would you do it?

    Example: I could love my friend at school better by letting her go first in line and sharing my crayons with her.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus taught us the two most important rules: love God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole mind, and love other people the same way you love yourself. When we follow these two rules, we are doing what makes God happiest.

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 unloved or lonely, that they may know how much God loves 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.

Before we receive Holy Communion, we share the Sign of Peace with people around us. This gesture shows that we love our neighbors, just as Jesus taught in today's reading about loving God and loving others.

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 how to love. Help us this week to love You with our whole hearts and to be kind and loving to everyone we meet. 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 Two Greatest Commandments

Matthew 22:34-40

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

Words to find

  • love
  • God
  • heart
  • soul
  • mind
  • neighbor
  • Jesus
  • commandment
  • greatest
  • kindness
  • rule
  • care

ChildrensLiturgy.org