Children's Liturgy Guide

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Reading: John 6:41-51

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

In today's reading, Jesus tells the people that He is the Bread of Life. Just like bread feeds our bodies, Jesus feeds our hearts and helps us live forever with God.

Key Points

  • Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life
  • God sent Jesus from heaven to be with us
  • When we receive Jesus, He gives us life that lasts forever
  • Jesus wants to be close to us and help us grow strong in love

Background

In this passage, Jesus makes a profound claim: He is the living bread come down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever. The crowd grumbles because they know Jesus's earthly parents and cannot accept His divine origin. Jesus responds by emphasizing that the Father draws people to Him and that He alone offers eternal life. The 'bread' Jesus speaks of is ultimately His flesh, given for the life of the world, a clear Eucharistic foreshadowing. For children, emphasize the simple, concrete image that Jesus wants to feed us and be close to us, like the most special food we could ever have. Set aside the grumbling controversy and the theological complexity of Jesus's divine and human natures.

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 came to be with us. Help us to listen carefully today and to let You feed our hearts with Your love. 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.

Think about your favorite food that makes you feel happy and strong. What is it, and why do you like it so much?

Example: I really love my grandma's chicken soup because it makes me feel warm inside and it helps me feel better when I am sick.

Bridge to the reading: Food is so special because it helps our bodies grow strong and healthy. In today's reading, Jesus tells us about a very special kind of food, one that feeds our hearts and helps us be close to God forever.

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 does Jesus call Himself in this reading?

    Example: Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life, which means He is like special bread that came from heaven.

  2. Where does Jesus say He came from?

    Example: Jesus says that He came down from heaven, which means God the Father sent Him to be with us here.

  3. How did some of the people react when Jesus said these things?

    Example: Some of the people were grumbling and complaining because they did not understand how Jesus could come from heaven.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted to be like bread for us?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted to be like bread because bread helps us live, and Jesus wants to help us live with God forever.

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 someone you love takes care of you and gives you what you need?

    Example: It feels really good and safe, like when my mom makes me dinner and I know she loves me so much.

  2. What is one way you can say thank you to Jesus for wanting to be close to you?

    Example: I can fold my hands and say a little prayer telling Jesus thank you for loving me and being with me always.

  3. This week at Mass, when you see the priest hold up the bread, what can you remember?

    Example: I can remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life and He wants to feed my heart and help me live forever.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus say that He is the Bread of Life. Just like bread makes our bodies strong, Jesus makes our hearts strong and helps us live with God forever. Jesus loves us so much that He came from heaven to be close to us.

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 will receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time this year, that they may know how much Jesus loves 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 receive Holy Communion, we receive the Bread of Life that Jesus talks about in this reading. The priest holds up the host and says 'The Body of Christ,' and we say 'Amen,' meaning 'Yes, I believe.'

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 are always with us, feeding our hearts with Your love. 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 6:41-51

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • bread
  • life
  • heaven
  • Father
  • love
  • believe
  • forever
  • heart
  • Communion
  • gift
  • feed

ChildrensLiturgy.org