Children's Liturgy Guide

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Choosing What Is Good

Reading: Sirach 15:15-20

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

Today's reading tells us that God gives us the power to choose between doing good things and doing bad things. God wants us to choose what is good, and He is always watching over us with love to help us make good choices.

Key Points

  • God gives us free will to choose between good and bad
  • God wants us to choose what is good and right
  • God sees everything we do and knows our hearts
  • When we choose good, we are following God's way
  • God never commands us to do wrong things

Background

Sirach presents a wisdom teaching on human free will and moral responsibility. The passage uses the imagery of fire and water, life and death, set before a person who must reach out and choose. The theological foundation is that God, in His omniscience, sees all human actions, yet He does not cause sin. Humans are given genuine freedom and responsibility for their moral choices. For children, emphasize the simple truth that God helps us choose good things, and that choosing to be kind and helpful makes God happy. Set aside the deeper theological discussions of free will, predestination, and the nature of sin. Focus on the concrete experience of making choices every day and God's loving presence as we do so.

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 and for giving us the ability to choose what is good. Please help us today to learn how to make choices that make You happy and help others. 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.

Can you tell me about a time when you had to choose between two things, like picking which game to play or which snack to eat?

Example: One time my mom said I could have an apple or a cookie, and I thought about it and picked the apple because I was really hungry and it would fill me up more.

Bridge to the reading: Every day we make choices, big and small. In today's reading, we will hear how God gave us the wonderful gift of being able to choose, and how He wants us to reach out and pick what is good.

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 does the reading say God has put in front of us to choose from?

    Example: The reading says God put life and death in front of us, and also fire and water, and we get to reach out and pick one.

  2. What does God want us to choose, according to what we heard?

    Example: God wants us to choose life and what is good. He wants us to pick the things that are right and helpful.

  3. Does God tell anyone to do bad things or to sin?

    Example: No, God never tells anyone to do bad things. He does not command people to sin because He only wants good for us.

  4. Why do you think God lets us make our own choices instead of making us do everything?

    Example: I think God wants us to choose good things ourselves because it shows we love Him. It is like when we share because we want to, not because someone made us.

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 inside when you choose to do something kind, like sharing your toy or helping someone?

    Example: It feels really warm and happy inside my heart, like I did something good. I feel proud of myself and I think God is smiling at me.

  2. What could you do if a friend wants you to do something you know is wrong, like being mean to another kid?

    Example: I could say no thank you and tell my friend that we should be nice instead. I could walk away and find something better to do.

  3. This week, what is one good choice you could make at home to help your family?

    Example: I could choose to help clean up my toys without being asked, or I could choose to be nice to my little brother even when he bothers me.

Recap

Today we heard that God gives us a wonderful gift: the power to choose. He puts good things and bad things before us, like life and death, and He wants us to reach out and pick what is good. God sees everything we do, and He is happy when we choose to be kind, helpful, and loving. Remember, every time you make a good choice, you are doing what God wants!

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 all children who have hard choices to make this week, that God will help them choose what is good and right, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Lord, for teaching us today that we can choose to do good things. Help us this week to make choices that show love to others and make You 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.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Choosing What Is Good

Sirach 15:15-20

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.

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

Words to find

  • choose
  • good
  • life
  • heart
  • God
  • love
  • right
  • help
  • kind
  • gift
  • wisdom
  • follow

ChildrensLiturgy.org