Children's Liturgy Guide

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Using Our Gifts for God

Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

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 this reading, a master gives his servants special coins called talents before going on a trip. Two servants use their talents to make more, but one servant hides his in the ground. When the master returns, he is happy with those who used their gifts and sad about the one who did nothing.

Key Points

  • God gives each of us special gifts and abilities
  • God wants us to use our gifts, not hide them away
  • When we use our gifts to help others, we make God happy
  • We do not need to be afraid to try, even if we make mistakes
  • Our gifts can be talents like singing, being kind, or helping others

Background

This parable teaches about faithful stewardship of what God entrusts to us. The 'talents' were monetary units of enormous value, but the Church has long understood them as representing all gifts God gives us: abilities, time, faith, and opportunities for good works. The third servant's failure was rooted in fear and a misunderstanding of the master's character. For children, emphasize that God gives each person special gifts and wants us to use them joyfully to help others, not hide them away because we are scared. Set aside the darker ending about the unfaithful servant being cast out, as this theological weight is beyond 6-year-olds. Focus on the joy of the master when the servants used their gifts well.

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 giving each of us special gifts and talents. Help us to use them bravely and joyfully to help others and to make You happy. 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 anyone ever given you something special to take care of, like a pet, a plant, or a younger sibling for a few minutes? What did you do with it?

Example: My grandma let me take care of her flowers when she went away, and I watered them every single day so they would not get droopy and sad.

Bridge to the reading: You worked hard to take care of something special that was given to you. In today's reading, Jesus tells a story about a master who gives his servants something very special to take care of while he goes on a trip. Let us listen to find out what they did with it.

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. What did the master give to his servants before he went on his trip?

    Example: The master gave his servants talents, which were like special coins made of gold or silver that were worth a lot of money.

  2. What did the first two servants do with their talents while the master was away?

    Example: The first two servants worked really hard and used their talents to make even more talents, so they had double what they started with.

  3. What did the third servant do with his talent, and why do you think he did that?

    Example: The third servant dug a hole in the ground and buried his talent because he was scared that something bad might happen to it.

  4. How did the master feel when the first two servants showed him what they had done?

    Example: The master was so happy and proud of them, and he said they did a really good job and invited them to come celebrate with him.

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 try something new, even if it seems a little bit scary at first?

    Example: I feel nervous in my tummy at first, but then when I do it, I feel really proud and happy that I was brave enough to try.

  2. What is something you are good at that you could use to help someone in your family this week?

    Example: I am really good at drawing pictures, so I could make a special card for my mom to cheer her up when she is tired.

  3. If Jesus gave you a special gift like being kind or being a good friend, how could you use it at school?

    Example: I could use my gift of being kind by sitting with someone at lunch who looks lonely and does not have anyone to talk to.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus told a story about a master who gave his servants special talents. The servants who used their talents made the master very happy. God gives each of us special gifts too, like being kind, helping others, or being a good friend. God does not want us to hide our gifts because we are scared. He wants us to use them with joy to help others.

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 scared to use their gifts, that God will give them courage to try, 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.

At the Offertory, we bring gifts of bread and wine to the altar. This mirrors how the servants brought back what they had made with their talents. We offer God the good things we have done with the gifts He gave us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, God, for the special gifts You have given each one of us. Help us to be brave and to use our gifts to help others and to bring You joy. 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

Using Our Gifts for God

Matthew 25:14-30

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.

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

Words to find

  • talents
  • gifts
  • master
  • servant
  • share
  • joyful
  • brave
  • trust
  • help
  • faithful
  • happy
  • Jesus

ChildrensLiturgy.org