Children's Liturgy Guide

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Reading: John 6:51-58

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 tells the people that he is special bread that came from heaven. When we receive Jesus, he stays close to us and helps us live with him forever. Jesus loves us so much that he gives us himself as a gift.

Key Points

  • Jesus calls himself the living bread from heaven
  • Jesus gives himself to us because he loves us
  • Receiving Jesus helps us stay close to him
  • This special bread is different from regular food because it feeds our hearts and souls
  • Jesus wants to be with us always

Background

This passage is part of Jesus's Bread of Life discourse in John 6, following the multiplication of loaves. Jesus speaks of giving his flesh and blood for the life of the world, language that anticipates the Eucharist. The Greek word 'trogein' (to munch, to gnaw) emphasizes the reality of eating, not merely symbolic participation. This is challenging Eucharistic theology: Jesus insists that his flesh is true food and his blood is true drink, and that eternal life comes through this communion. The Jews murmur because such language seems impossible, even offensive. For children, emphasize that Jesus loves us so much he wants to be as close to us as the food we eat, and that he gives himself as a special gift. Set aside the graphic flesh-and-blood imagery and focus on the intimacy and gift of Jesus coming to us. Do not attempt to explain transubstantiation; instead, plant the seed that Jesus is truly present in a special way when we receive Holy Communion.

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 give yourself to us. Help us to understand how special your gift is and to welcome you into our hearts. 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.

Has someone ever given you a really special gift that showed they loved you very much? What made it so special?

Example: My grandma made me a blanket with my name on it, and she said she made every stitch thinking about me, and I sleep with it every night because it makes me feel like she is hugging me.

Bridge to the reading: That sounds like such a loving gift! When someone gives us something from their own heart, we feel how much they care. In today's reading, Jesus talks about giving us the most special gift ever, himself, like bread from heaven, because he wants to be that close to 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 does Jesus call himself in this reading?

    Example: Jesus calls himself the living bread that came down from heaven, and he says this bread is really special and different from other bread.

  2. Where does Jesus say this special bread came from?

    Example: Jesus says the bread came down from heaven, which means it came from where God is, so it is a very special gift from above.

  3. What do you think Jesus means when he says he wants to live in us and we live in him?

    Example: I think Jesus means that he wants to be really close to us, like he is inside our hearts, and we are always together like best friends.

  4. Why do you think Jesus uses bread to explain how he loves us?

    Example: Maybe because we eat bread every day and it makes us strong, so Jesus wants us to know he helps us every day too and makes our hearts strong.

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 loves you so much he wants to give you himself as a gift?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and special inside, like I am important to Jesus, and it makes me want to smile and say thank you to him.

  2. When you see people receive Holy Communion at Mass, what could you think about now that you know this story?

    Example: I could think about how Jesus is coming really close to them, like he is giving them a big hug, and one day I will receive him too.

  3. This week, how could you thank Jesus for wanting to be so close to you?

    Example: I could say a little prayer before I go to sleep and tell Jesus thank you for loving me, and I could try to remember him during the day.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell us that he is the living bread from heaven. He loves us so much that he gives us himself as the most special gift. Jesus wants to be close to us, like the food that keeps us strong, so we can live with him forever.

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 preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, that they may feel the love of Jesus welcoming 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.

Right before we receive Holy Communion, we say 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' This reminds us that Jesus, the Bread of Life from today's reading, is about to come to us in a very special way.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for being our bread from heaven and for loving us so much. Help us to remember your gift and to stay close to you 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 6:51-58

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • bread
  • heaven
  • life
  • gift
  • love
  • heart
  • receive
  • close
  • living
  • forever
  • communion

ChildrensLiturgy.org