Children's Liturgy Guide

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Reading: John 6:24-35

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

The people went looking for Jesus because He had given them bread to eat. But Jesus told them something amazing: He is the bread of life! Anyone who comes to Him will never be hungry or thirsty again because He gives us what we really need.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that He gives us something more important than regular food
  • The bread of life means Jesus fills our hearts and souls, not just our tummies
  • Believing in Jesus and coming to Him is how we receive this special gift
  • Jesus wants us to want Him more than anything else

Background

In this passage, Jesus redirects the crowd from seeking physical bread to recognizing Him as the true bread from heaven. The people followed Jesus after the multiplication of loaves, but Jesus challenges them to seek spiritual nourishment rather than perishable food. The phrase 'bread of life' identifies Jesus Himself as the source of eternal life and complete satisfaction for the human soul. This echoes the manna God provided in the desert (from today's first reading), but Jesus surpasses that gift by offering Himself. For children, emphasize that Jesus wants to be close to us and fill our hearts with His love, just like food fills our tummies. Set aside the deeper theological discussion of the Eucharist as Jesus's body for now, as this will unfold in subsequent Sundays of John 6.

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 want to fill our hearts with Your love. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how You are the bread of life. 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 really, really hungry and then finally got to eat something delicious? How did that feel?

Example: Yes, one time I was so hungry after playing soccer and my mom made me a grilled cheese sandwich and it was the best thing ever and I felt so happy and full after I ate it.

Bridge to the reading: That wonderful full feeling when we are really hungry and finally get to eat is so good! In today's reading, Jesus talks about a different kind of hunger, and He tells the people that He can fill them up in a way that is even better than food.

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. Why did the people go looking for Jesus?

    Example: The people went looking for Jesus because He had given them bread to eat the day before and they wanted more food from Him.

  2. What did Jesus tell the people not to work for?

    Example: Jesus told them not to work for food that spoils or goes bad, but to work for food that lasts forever.

  3. What special name did Jesus call Himself in this reading?

    Example: Jesus called Himself the bread of life, which means He is like food for our hearts and souls.

  4. What did Jesus promise would happen to people who come to Him and believe in Him?

    Example: Jesus promised that anyone who comes to Him will never be hungry and anyone who believes in Him will never be thirsty again.

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 to know that Jesus wants you to come to Him?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and loved because Jesus is so special and important and He still wants me to be close to Him.

  2. What are some ways we can come to Jesus and be close to Him?

    Example: We can pray to Jesus, go to Mass, listen to Bible stories, and talk to Him when we are happy or sad or scared.

  3. This week, when is one time you could talk to Jesus and let Him fill your heart with love?

    Example: I could talk to Jesus before I go to bed at night and thank Him for my day and ask Him to be close to me.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus called Himself the bread of life. The people were looking for Jesus because He gave them food, but Jesus wanted them to know something even more important. He is the one who fills our hearts and souls! When we come to Jesus and believe in Him, He gives us everything we really need.

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 everywhere who feel empty or sad inside, that they may come to know Jesus who fills our hearts with His love, 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 holds up the bread at the consecration and says 'This is my Body,' he is doing what Jesus promised in this reading. Jesus said He is the bread of life, and at Mass that bread truly becomes Jesus Himself for us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for being the bread of life. Help us to remember that You give us everything we really need. Fill our hearts with Your love this week. 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 Is the Bread of Life

John 6:24-35

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • bread
  • life
  • believe
  • hungry
  • thirsty
  • heaven
  • Father
  • come
  • heart
  • love
  • gift

ChildrensLiturgy.org