Children's Liturgy Guide

Ascension of the Lord

Year B · Easter

Jesus Goes to Heaven

Reading: Mark 16:15-20

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

Before Jesus went up to heaven, he gave his friends a very important job. He told them to go everywhere and tell everyone the good news about him. Then Jesus went up to be with God the Father, but he still helps his friends from heaven.

Key Points

  • Jesus gave his disciples a mission to share the good news with everyone
  • Jesus ascended to heaven to be with God the Father
  • Even though Jesus went to heaven, he continues to help those who believe in him
  • We are called to share the good news about Jesus too

Background

This Gospel passage captures the final moments of Jesus with his disciples before the Ascension. Jesus commissions them to proclaim the Gospel to all creation, promising that signs will accompany believers. The text then describes Jesus being taken up into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. Theologically, the Ascension marks Jesus' glorification and the completion of his earthly mission, while inaugurating the Church's mission. The 'signs' mentioned (casting out demons, speaking in tongues, handling serpents, drinking poison, healing) are charisms given for evangelization, not tests of faith. For children, emphasize that Jesus gave his friends a special job to tell others about him, and that even though Jesus went to heaven, he is still with us and helps us. Set aside discussion of the specific miraculous signs, which can confuse young children.

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 so much that you gave your friends the special job of telling everyone about you. Help us to be brave and share your love with others too. 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 had to say goodbye to someone you love, like a grandparent or a friend who was moving away? How did that feel?

Example: When my grandma went back to her house far away, I was really sad. But she calls me on the phone and sends me pictures, so I know she still loves me even when she is not here.

Bridge to the reading: Saying goodbye can be hard, but sometimes the people we love give us something special to remember or a job to do while they are away. In today's reading, we hear about when Jesus said goodbye to his friends before going to heaven, and the very special job he gave them.

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 did Jesus tell his friends to do before he went to heaven?

    Example: Jesus told his friends to go everywhere in the whole world and tell everyone the good news about him and what he taught them.

  2. Where did Jesus go after he finished talking to his friends?

    Example: Jesus went up to heaven to be with God the Father. He was taken up and sat at God's right hand.

  3. What did the disciples do after Jesus went to heaven?

    Example: The disciples went out everywhere and told people about Jesus. They shared the good news just like Jesus asked them to do.

  4. Why do you think Jesus gave his friends this important job instead of staying on earth himself?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted his friends to help because there are so many people everywhere and his friends could go to lots of different places to share the good news.

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 do you think the disciples felt when they watched Jesus go up to heaven?

    Example: I think they felt a little sad because they would miss Jesus, but also happy because they knew he was going to be with God and he gave them an important job.

  2. What is one way you could tell someone about Jesus, like at school or with your friends?

    Example: I could tell my friend that Jesus loves them very much and that he wants to be their friend too and help them when they are scared.

  3. This week, who is one person you could share something kind about Jesus with?

    Example: I could tell my little brother about how Jesus loves him when I say bedtime prayers with him, or I could tell my neighbor when I see them outside.

Recap

Today we heard about the day Jesus went up to heaven to be with God the Father. Before he left, Jesus gave his friends a very special job: to go everywhere and tell everyone the good news about him. Even though Jesus is in heaven, he still helps us. We can be like the disciples and share the good news about Jesus with people we meet.

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 the people in our world who have not yet heard about Jesus, that someone will share the good news with them, 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 say the Creed at Mass, we say that Jesus 'ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.' This is exactly what today's reading tells us happened after Jesus gave his friends their special job.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, thank you for going to heaven to prepare a place for us. Help us to be brave like your disciples and share your love with everyone we meet. Give us the words to tell others how much you love 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 Goes to Heaven

Mark 16:15-20

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • heaven
  • disciples
  • tell
  • good
  • news
  • Father
  • friends
  • world
  • mission
  • believe
  • Lord

ChildrensLiturgy.org