Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday of Lent

Year B · Lent

A Seed That Grows

Reading: John 12:20-33

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 teaches that a tiny seed must fall into the ground and seem to disappear before it can grow into something beautiful with lots of fruit. Jesus was telling us that he would give his life for us so that we could live with God forever.

Key Points

  • Jesus uses the image of a seed dying in the ground to explain how his sacrifice brings new life
  • Following Jesus means serving others and staying close to him
  • God the Father honors those who serve Jesus
  • Jesus felt troubled but chose to follow God's plan because he loves us

Background

In this passage, Jesus uses agricultural imagery to prepare his disciples for his approaching death and glorification. The grain of wheat must fall to the earth and die to produce fruit, a metaphor for Christ's paschal mystery. Jesus expresses genuine anguish yet submits to the Father's will, modeling perfect obedience. The voice from heaven confirms the Father's glorification through the Son. For children, emphasize the simple image of a seed that looks like it disappears but actually grows into something wonderful, and that Jesus chose to do something hard because he loves us. Set aside the theological complexity of glorification, the judgment of the world, and the lifting up on the cross.

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 sending Jesus to teach us and love us. Help us to listen with our hearts today and learn how much Jesus loves 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 planted a seed and watched it grow? What happened to the seed after you put it in the dirt?

Example: I planted a bean seed at school and it went under the dirt and we waited and waited and then a little green thing came up and it grew leaves!

Bridge to the reading: You noticed something amazing: the seed seems to disappear under the dirt, but then something wonderful grows! In today's reading, Jesus talks about a seed just like that to help us understand something very special about his love for us.

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 say happens to a grain of wheat when it falls to the ground?

    Example: Jesus said the seed falls into the ground and it dies, but then it makes lots and lots of grain grow from it.

  2. How was Jesus feeling when he talked about what was going to happen to him?

    Example: Jesus said his heart was troubled, which means he felt worried and maybe a little scared about what was coming.

  3. What did the voice from heaven say when Jesus prayed to his Father?

    Example: The voice said that God had already made his name glorious and he was going to do it again soon.

  4. Why do you think Jesus used a seed to help people understand his message?

    Example: Maybe because everyone knew about seeds and gardens, and it helped them see that something good can come from something that looks gone.

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 have to do something hard or a little scary because it will help someone you love?

    Example: Sometimes I feel nervous in my tummy but also kind of good because I know it will make them happy or help them.

  2. What is something kind you could do for someone in your family, even if it is a little hard?

    Example: I could share my favorite toy with my little brother even when I really want to play with it all by myself.

  3. This week, how can you stay close to Jesus like he asked us to do?

    Example: I could say a little prayer before bed and tell Jesus about my day and ask him to help me be good tomorrow.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach about a tiny seed that falls into the ground. It looks like the seed is gone, but really it grows into something beautiful with lots of fruit. Jesus was helping us understand that he would give his life for us because he loves us so much, and that love helps us grow closer to God.

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 going through something hard or scary right now, that they may feel God's love and comfort, 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 loving us so much. Help us to follow you and to do good things for others, even when it is hard. 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

A Seed That Grows

John 12:20-33

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.

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

Words to find

  • seed
  • wheat
  • grow
  • Jesus
  • love
  • serve
  • Father
  • voice
  • heart
  • follow
  • life
  • fruit

ChildrensLiturgy.org