Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday of Easter

Year B · Easter

Connected to the Vine

Reading: John 15:1-8

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 he is like a vine, and we are like the branches. When we stay close to Jesus, we can grow and do good things, just like branches that stay connected to a vine grow fruit.

Key Points

  • Jesus uses the image of a vine and branches to show how we need to stay connected to him
  • Branches cannot grow fruit on their own, they need the vine
  • Staying connected to Jesus through prayer, love, and following his ways helps us do good things
  • God the Father is the gardener who takes care of us

Background

In this passage, Jesus uses the vivid agricultural metaphor of the vine and branches to explain the necessity of abiding in him. The Greek word 'meno' (abide, remain, stay) appears repeatedly, emphasizing that union with Christ is not a one-time event but an ongoing relationship. The Father as the vinedresser prunes branches to increase fruitfulness, which can represent the purifying work of grace through trials and growth in holiness. Theologically, this passage points to our participation in divine life through Christ, the concept of sanctifying grace, and the reality that apart from Christ we can do nothing of eternal significance. For children, emphasize the simple, concrete image of staying connected to Jesus like a branch stays on a vine, and that this connection helps us do good and loving things. Set aside the more complex theology of pruning and judgment.

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 loving us and wanting us to stay close to you. Help us to be like good branches that stay connected to you so we can love others well. 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 picked a flower or a leaf from a plant? What happened to it after a few days?

Example: I picked a flower for my mom once and it was really pretty, but then after a couple days it got all droopy and brown and died because it was not on the plant anymore.

Bridge to the reading: You noticed something important. When a flower or leaf gets separated from the plant, it cannot stay alive. In today's reading, Jesus tells us he is like a vine, and we are like branches. He wants us to understand why staying connected to him matters so much.

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, what does Jesus say he is?

    Example: Jesus says he is the vine, like the main part of a plant that the branches grow out of and get their food from.

  2. What does Jesus call us, his followers?

    Example: Jesus calls us the branches, and we are connected to him like branches are connected to a vine plant.

  3. What does Jesus say happens when a branch stays connected to the vine?

    Example: When a branch stays connected to the vine it can grow lots of fruit, like grapes, because it gets everything it needs from the vine.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wants us to stay close to him like branches on a vine?

    Example: I think Jesus wants us to stay close because he loves us and he knows that we need his help to do good things and be happy.

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 are close to someone who loves you and helps you?

    Example: It feels really good and safe, like when my grandma hugs me and I know she will help me if I need anything at all.

  2. What are some ways we can stay connected to Jesus, even though we cannot see him?

    Example: We can pray to Jesus and talk to him, and we can come to Mass and listen to stories about him and try to be kind like he is.

  3. This week, what is one kind thing you could do to show you are connected to Jesus?

    Example: I could share my toys with my little brother even when I do not really want to, because Jesus wants me to be loving.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell us that he is the vine and we are the branches. Just like a branch needs to stay connected to the vine to grow good fruit, we need to stay close to Jesus. When we pray, come to Mass, and try to love others, we are staying connected to Jesus, and he helps us do good and wonderful things.

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 far away from Jesus and need help staying close to him, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Jesus, thank you for being our vine and for helping us grow. Help us to stay close to you this week through our prayers and our kind actions. 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

Connected to the Vine

John 15:1-8

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • vine
  • branches
  • fruit
  • connected
  • grow
  • Father
  • love
  • stay
  • prayer
  • gardener

ChildrensLiturgy.org