Children's Liturgy Guide

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Sends His Friends

Reading: Mark 6:7-13

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 sent his twelve friends out two by two to tell people about God's love. He told them to travel light and trust that God would take care of them. They helped many people feel better and shared the good news everywhere they went.

Key Points

  • Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs so they would not be alone
  • Jesus told them to bring almost nothing and trust God to provide
  • The disciples were given power to help people and share God's message
  • We are also called to share God's love with others

Background

In this passage, Jesus commissions the Twelve for their first missionary journey, giving them authority over unclean spirits and specific instructions about what to bring. The command to take nothing but a staff, no bread, bag, or money, emphasizes radical dependence on divine providence and the hospitality of those who receive the message. The instruction to go in pairs reflects both practical wisdom and the Jewish legal principle requiring two witnesses. The anointing with oil and healing of the sick anticipates the sacramental ministry of the Church. For children, emphasize the concrete detail that Jesus sent friends together so they would not be alone, and that he asked them to trust God would give them what they needed. Set aside the theological complexities of exorcism, apostolic authority, and sacramental anointing.

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 choosing friends to help you share God's love with the world. Help us to be brave and trust you when you ask us to help others. 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 been asked to do something important with a friend or partner? What was it like to do it together instead of alone?

Example: One time my teacher asked me and my friend to carry the lunch bin together to the cafeteria. It was heavy but we could do it because we helped each other and it was more fun too.

Bridge to the reading: It feels good to do important things with someone by our side. In today's reading, we will hear how Jesus sent his friends out in pairs to do a very special job, so they would have each other for help along the way.

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 did Jesus send out in today's reading?

    Example: Jesus sent out his twelve special friends, the ones he picked to be his helpers and follow him everywhere he went.

  2. How did Jesus send his friends out, by themselves or with a partner?

    Example: Jesus sent them out two by two, so each person had a friend with them and nobody had to go all alone.

  3. What did Jesus tell them NOT to bring on their journey?

    Example: Jesus told them not to bring food or a bag or money in their belts. They could only bring a walking stick and sandals.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted them to travel without a lot of stuff?

    Example: Maybe Jesus wanted them to trust that God would take care of them and that nice people would share food and a place to sleep.

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 you have to do something hard but you have a friend with you?

    Example: I feel much braver when my friend is there because we can help each other and I am not so scared anymore.

  2. What is one way you could share something good about Jesus with someone at school or in your neighborhood?

    Example: I could tell my friend that Jesus loves them or I could be really kind and share my snack like Jesus wants us to do.

  3. This week, who could you be a good partner or helper to, the way the disciples were partners for each other?

    Example: I could be a good partner to my little brother when he is learning to ride his bike and stay with him so he is not alone.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus sent his twelve friends out two by two to share God's love. He told them to travel light and trust that God would give them everything they needed. Jesus sends us out too, to share his love with the people around us, and we do not have to do it alone.

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 children who feel alone or scared when they have something hard to do, that they may find good friends to help 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 the priest or deacon says 'Go forth, the Mass is ended' or 'Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,' we are being sent out just like Jesus sent his disciples. We leave Mass to share God's love with everyone we meet.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for sending your friends to share your love with the world. Help us to trust you and to be brave when you send us to help others. May we always remember that you are with us. 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 Sends His Friends

Mark 6:7-13

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • disciples
  • pairs
  • trust
  • journey
  • sandals
  • share
  • friends
  • sent
  • love
  • helpers

ChildrensLiturgy.org