Children's Liturgy Guide

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

God Takes Care of You

Reading: Matthew 6:24-34

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

Jesus tells us not to worry because God our Father takes care of us. He shows us how God feeds the birds and makes the flowers beautiful, and He loves us even more than these.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money
  • God cares for the birds and flowers, and He cares even more for us
  • We should not worry about food or clothes because God knows what we need
  • Jesus invites us to trust God like a loving Father
  • Seeking God's kingdom means putting God first in our lives

Background

In this passage, Jesus addresses anxiety about material needs by pointing to God's providential care in creation. The Greek word for worry (merimnao) implies a divided, anxious mind. Jesus contrasts serving God versus mammon (wealth personified) and then offers examples from nature: birds who do not store grain yet are fed, and wildflowers more beautiful than Solomon's royal robes. The theological depth here involves divine providence, trust, and the priority of the Kingdom of God. For children, emphasize the simple, concrete image of God caring for birds and flowers as proof that He will care for them, setting aside the more abstract teaching about mammon and seeking the Kingdom first.

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 taking care of us every single day. Help us to trust You and not to worry, knowing You are always watching over us. 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 felt worried about something, like maybe the first day of school or when you lost something important?

Example: I felt really worried on my first day at school because I did not know anyone and I thought nobody would want to play with me at recess time.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes we all feel worried about things. In today's reading, Jesus knows we get worried too, and He tells us something wonderful about how much God takes care of us, even more than the birds and the flowers.

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 animals does Jesus talk about in this reading?

    Example: Jesus talks about the birds in the sky and how they fly around and God gives them food to eat every day.

  2. What does Jesus say about the flowers in the field?

    Example: Jesus says the flowers are so beautiful, even more beautiful than a king's fancy clothes, and they do not have to work for it.

  3. Why do you think Jesus told us to look at the birds and flowers?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted to show us that if God takes care of little birds and flowers, then He will definitely take care of us too.

  4. What does Jesus say God already knows about us?

    Example: Jesus says that God already knows everything we need, like food and clothes and things like that, before we even ask.

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 remember that God is taking care of you like He takes care of the birds?

    Example: It makes me feel warm and happy inside, like when my mom gives me a big hug and tells me everything is going to be okay.

  2. What could you do if your friend at school is feeling worried about something?

    Example: I could tell my friend that God loves them and is taking care of them, and I could stay with them so they feel less alone.

  3. This week, when you see a bird outside, what could you say to God?

    Example: I could say thank You God for taking care of that bird and thank You for taking care of me too every single day.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell us not to worry because God takes care of us. He showed us how God feeds the birds and makes the flowers so beautiful. If God cares for birds and flowers, He cares even more for us because we are His children.

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 feel worried or scared, that they may feel God's love taking care of them, 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, God, for loving us more than the birds and the flowers. Help us to trust You this week and remember that You always take care of us. 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

God Takes Care of You

Matthew 6:24-34

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.

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

Words to find

  • birds
  • flowers
  • worry
  • trust
  • God
  • Jesus
  • care
  • Father
  • love
  • beautiful
  • feed
  • kingdom

ChildrensLiturgy.org