Children's Liturgy Guide

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Being a Humble Helper

Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

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 teaches that the greatest people are those who serve others. He tells us not to show off or act important, but to be humble helpers. When we help others without bragging, we are doing what Jesus wants.

Key Points

  • Jesus warns against showing off and wanting to look important
  • The greatest person is the one who serves others
  • Being humble means not thinking you are better than other people
  • Jesus wants us to help others quietly, not to get attention
  • We are all equal as children of God

Background

In this Gospel, Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and love of honor. They wore elaborate phylacteries and tassels as signs of piety, sought places of honor at banquets, and loved being called 'Rabbi.' Jesus contrasts this with his teaching that all believers are equal before God, with one Father in heaven and one teacher, the Christ. The call to humble service subverts worldly hierarchies. For children, emphasize the simple message that helping others makes us great in God's eyes, and that showing off or acting bossy is not what Jesus wants. Set aside the specific Jewish practices and the harsher critique of religious leaders, focusing instead on the positive call to be a humble servant.

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 teaching us how to live. Help us to be humble helpers who serve others with love, not to show off but to make others happy. 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 show off or act like they were more important than everyone else? How did that feel?

Example: One time at recess, a kid kept saying he was the best at everything and would not let anyone else have a turn, and it made me feel sad and left out.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes people want everyone to notice how great they are. In today's reading, Jesus talks about people who liked to show off and act important, and he teaches us a better way to be truly great.

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 was Jesus talking to in this reading?

    Example: Jesus was talking to the crowds of people and also to his disciples who were following him and listening to what he said.

  2. What did Jesus say some people liked to do at dinners and in important places?

    Example: Jesus said some people liked to sit in the best seats at dinners and have the most important places so everyone would notice them.

  3. What did Jesus say makes someone the greatest?

    Example: Jesus said that the greatest person is the one who serves other people and helps them, not the one who acts bossy or important.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wants us to be humble instead of showing off?

    Example: I think Jesus wants us to be humble because when we show off, we only think about ourselves, but when we are humble, we think about helping other people.

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 helps you without bragging about it or wanting something back?

    Example: It feels really nice and special because they helped me just to be kind, and it makes me feel happy and loved inside.

  2. What is something you could do at home to be a humble helper for your family?

    Example: I could help set the table for dinner or pick up my toys without being asked and without telling everyone I did it.

  3. This week, who is one person you could quietly help without expecting a thank you?

    Example: I could help my little brother put on his shoes in the morning without telling Mom I did it, just to be nice.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach us that the greatest people are not those who show off or act important. The greatest people are humble helpers who serve others. Jesus wants us to help people quietly and kindly, without bragging. When we serve others, we are doing what makes us truly great in God's eyes.

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 overlooked, that they may know they are precious to God and find friends who treat them with kindness, 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 the priest washes his hands during the Preparation of the Gifts, he quietly asks God to cleanse him, showing humility before serving at the altar, just as Jesus teaches us to be humble servants.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us to be humble helpers. Help us this week to serve others with love and not to show off. May we remember that you see all the good we do, even when no one else notices. 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

Being a Humble Helper

Matthew 23:1-12

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.

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

Words to find

  • humble
  • servant
  • helper
  • Jesus
  • greatest
  • service
  • kind
  • heart
  • teach
  • listen
  • love
  • prayer

ChildrensLiturgy.org