Children's Liturgy Guide

Christ the King

Year A · Ordinary Time

Jesus Our King Loves the Little Ones

Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

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 today's reading, Jesus tells us that He is a great King who sits on a glorious throne. He teaches us that when we help people who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, or need clothes, we are actually helping Him. Jesus says that whatever kind thing we do for others, we do for Him.

Key Points

  • Jesus is our King who will come in glory
  • When we help others in need, we are serving Jesus Himself
  • Jesus notices every kind act we do, even small ones
  • The King welcomes those who cared for others into His kingdom
  • Jesus identifies Himself with people who are hungry, thirsty, sick, or lonely

Background

This Gospel presents the Last Judgment, where Christ the King separates the righteous from the unrighteous based on works of mercy. The theological weight includes eschatology, final judgment, and the mystical identification of Christ with the poor and suffering. The 'goats' are sent to eternal punishment, a concept too heavy for young children to process fully. For children, emphasize that Jesus is a loving King who sees and treasures every kind thing we do for others, and that helping someone in need is the same as helping Jesus Himself. Set aside the judgment and punishment imagery, focusing instead on the beautiful truth that Jesus lives in the people around us who need our help.

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, our loving King, thank You for showing us that You are with us always, especially when we help others. Help us to see Your face in everyone we meet and to serve You with joyful hearts. 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 done something really kind for you when you needed help, like giving you a drink when you were thirsty or sharing with you when you had nothing?

Example: One time at school I forgot my lunch and my friend shared half of her sandwich with me and it made me feel so happy and not hungry anymore.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone helps us, does it not? In today's reading, Jesus our King tells us something amazing. He says that whenever we do kind things like that for someone who needs help, we are actually doing it for Him!

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 the reading, Jesus talks about sitting on a throne. What kind of person sits on a throne?

    Example: A king sits on a throne because he is in charge of everything and everyone listens to what he says and he is very important.

  2. Jesus told the people about different ways to help others. Can you remember some of the things He said people needed?

    Example: Jesus said people needed food when they were hungry and water when they were thirsty and clothes to wear and someone to visit them.

  3. What surprising thing did Jesus say about helping people who are hungry or thirsty or lonely?

    Example: Jesus said that when we help those people we are really helping Him, like the person who needs help is actually Jesus.

  4. Why do you think Jesus would say that helping a hungry person is the same as helping Him?

    Example: Maybe because Jesus loves everyone so much that He feels what they feel, and when we are kind to them it makes Jesus happy too.

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 make you feel to know that Jesus is hidden in the people around you who need help?

    Example: It makes me feel like I should look more carefully at people because maybe Jesus is there and I can make Him happy by being nice.

  2. What is one kind thing you could do at home or at school to help someone who might be sad or lonely?

    Example: I could sit next to the kid who eats lunch alone and talk to them so they do not feel so lonely anymore at school.

  3. This week, who is one person you could share something with or help in some way?

    Example: I could help my little brother when he cannot reach something or share my snack with him when he is still hungry after his snack.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus is our King who sits on a glorious throne. He told us something wonderful: when we help people who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, or need clothes, we are helping Jesus Himself. Every kind thing we do for others, Jesus counts as a gift to Him.

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 are hungry or lonely today, that someone will show them the love of Jesus, 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 we bring gifts to the altar during the Offertory, we offer bread and wine, but we also offer our good deeds and kind actions from the week. Just as Jesus says our kindness to others is kindness to Him, our gifts at Mass become Jesus Himself in the Eucharist.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, our King, thank You for teaching us that You are present in everyone who needs our help. Give us eyes to see You in others and hearts full of love to serve them. 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

Jesus Our King Loves the Little Ones

Matthew 25:31-46

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.

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

Words to find

  • King
  • throne
  • hungry
  • thirsty
  • visit
  • clothes
  • kind
  • serve
  • Jesus
  • glory
  • sheep
  • welcome

ChildrensLiturgy.org