Children's Liturgy Guide

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Building on the Rock

Reading: Matthew 7:21-27

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 a story about two people who build houses. One builds on strong rock and the house stands firm in a storm. The other builds on sand and the house falls down. Jesus wants us to listen to His words and actually do what He teaches.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that listening to His words is not enough, we must also do what He says
  • The wise builder represents someone who hears Jesus and follows through with action
  • The foolish builder represents someone who hears but does not act on what they learn
  • Our choices to follow Jesus make us strong like a house built on rock

Background

This passage concludes the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus distinguishes between mere profession of faith and authentic discipleship that bears fruit in action. The phrase 'Lord, Lord' indicates verbal acknowledgment without corresponding obedience. The parable of the two builders illustrates that hearing alone is insufficient; salvation requires a life transformed by obedience to Christ's teachings. The rock represents the solid foundation of living out Jesus' words, while sand represents the unstable foundation of hearing without doing. For children, emphasize the concrete image of building a strong house by doing what Jesus teaches, such as being kind, sharing, and helping others. Set aside the theological complexity about faith versus works and the eschatological judgment implied in the passage.

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 listen carefully to Your words today and to be brave enough to do what You ask. We love You. 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 built something, like with blocks or sand or blankets? What happened to it when you were done building?

Example: I built a really tall tower with my blocks once and my little brother knocked it over and it crashed everywhere on the floor.

Bridge to the reading: Building things can be tricky because we need a good, strong base to keep them standing. In today's reading, Jesus tells us about two builders and shows us that doing what He teaches is like building our lives on something very strong.

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. In Jesus' story, what did the wise person build their house on?

    Example: The wise person built their house on the rock so it would be really strong and not fall down.

  2. What happened when the rain and wind came to the house on the rock?

    Example: The rain came down and the wind blew really hard but the house stayed up because it was on the rock.

  3. What happened to the house that was built on sand when the storm came?

    Example: When the storm came the house on the sand fell down with a big crash because sand is not strong enough.

  4. Jesus says the wise person is someone who hears His words and does what? Why do you think that matters?

    Example: Jesus says the wise person hears His words and does them, like actually following what He teaches not just listening.

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 you do something kind that Jesus would want you to do, like sharing or helping?

    Example: It feels really good inside, like warm and happy, and sometimes the other person smiles at me too.

  2. If your friend is sad at school, what is something you could do to follow what Jesus teaches?

    Example: I could go sit with them and ask if they are okay and maybe play with them so they feel better.

  3. This week at home, what is one thing Jesus teaches that you could really try to do, not just hear about?

    Example: I could try to be nice to my sister even when she bothers me and not yell at her like Jesus wants.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about two builders. The wise one built a house on rock and it stayed strong in the storm. The foolish one built on sand and the house fell down. Jesus wants us to be like the wise builder by not just hearing His words but actually doing what He teaches every day.

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 are learning to follow Jesus, that they may be strong like a house built on rock, 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, Jesus, for teaching us how to be wise. Help us this week to not only hear Your words but to do them with all our hearts. Make us strong like a house on the rock. 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

Building on the Rock

Matthew 7:21-27

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

Words to find

  • rock
  • sand
  • house
  • wise
  • storm
  • listen
  • Jesus
  • build
  • strong
  • rain
  • wind
  • follow

ChildrensLiturgy.org