Children's Liturgy Guide

Palm Sunday

Year B · Lent

Jesus Chose to Be Humble

Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

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

Today we hear how Jesus, even though He is God, did not hold on to His greatness. Instead, He chose to become a person like us and serve others, even when it was very hard. Because Jesus was so humble and obedient, God raised Him up and gave Him the greatest name of all.

Key Points

  • Jesus is God, but He chose to become human like us.
  • Jesus showed humility by serving others and obeying God the Father.
  • Because Jesus humbled Himself, God lifted Him up to the highest place.
  • Every knee will bow and every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is Lord.
  • We can follow Jesus by choosing to be humble and serve others.

Background

This reading is a Christ-hymn from Paul's letter to the Philippians, celebrating the self-emptying (kenosis) of Christ. Though equal with God, Jesus did not cling to divine privilege but took the form of a servant, became human, and was obedient even to death on a cross. The theological depth here involves the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. For children, emphasize the choice Jesus made to help us, the idea of not showing off even when you are great, and how God honored Jesus for His humility. Set aside technical terms like kenosis, incarnation, or exaltation. Focus on the concrete image of Jesus choosing to serve rather than be served, like a king who rolls up his sleeves to 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 God, thank You for sending Jesus to show us how to be humble and kind. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how to serve others the way Jesus did. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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 helped someone even when you did not have to, like sharing your favorite toy or letting someone else go first?

Example: One time my little brother really wanted to play with my new truck, and I let him play with it even though it was mine and I wanted to play with it too.

Bridge to the reading: You chose to be kind and let someone else go first, even when you did not have to. In today's reading, we hear about how Jesus, who is God, made an even bigger choice. He chose to come down from heaven and become a person like us, so He could help us and serve 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. Who is this reading about, and what do we learn about Him right at the start?

    Example: The reading is about Jesus, and it tells us that Jesus is God, but He did not try to hold on to being treated like a king.

  2. What did Jesus choose to become, even though He is God?

    Example: Jesus chose to become a human being like us, and He even became like a servant who helps other people.

  3. How did Jesus show that He was willing to obey God the Father?

    Example: Jesus obeyed God the Father all the way, even when it was really hard, and He did everything God asked Him to do.

  4. What did God do for Jesus because Jesus was so humble and obedient?

    Example: God lifted Jesus up to the highest place and gave Him a name that is greater than every other name in the whole world.

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 feel when someone who is bigger or older than you chooses to help you or play with you?

    Example: It makes me feel really special and happy, like they really care about me and want to be my friend even though they do not have to.

  2. What is one way you could be humble like Jesus at school or with your friends?

    Example: I could let someone else be first in line or share my crayons with a friend who forgot theirs at home.

  3. This week, how could you serve someone in your family without being asked?

    Example: I could help set the table for dinner or pick up my toys without my mom or dad telling me to do it.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus, even though He is God, chose not to show off or act like a king. Instead, He became a person like us and served others. Because Jesus was so humble, God raised Him up and gave Him the greatest name of all. We can try to be humble like Jesus by helping others and not always needing to be first.

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 find it hard to share or let others go first, that Jesus will help them learn to be humble and kind, 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.

At the end of the Gloria, we say 'You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ.' This echoes today's reading, where God gives Jesus the name that is above every name, and we proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for showing us how to be humble and how to serve others. Help us this week to think of others before ourselves and to follow Your example. 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 Chose to Be Humble

Philippians 2:6-11

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • humble
  • serve
  • obey
  • Lord
  • name
  • God
  • heaven
  • knee
  • praise
  • love
  • king

ChildrensLiturgy.org