Children's Liturgy Guide

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Following Jesus

Reading: Mark 8:27-35

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

Jesus asks his friends who they think he is, and Peter says Jesus is the Messiah, the special one sent by God. Then Jesus teaches that following him means putting others first, even when it is hard.

Key Points

  • Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the one God promised to send
  • Jesus teaches that following him means loving others more than ourselves
  • Being a follower of Jesus sometimes means doing hard things
  • Jesus invites us to take up our cross, which means accepting difficulties with love

Background

In this passage, Jesus asks the disciples directly about his identity, and Peter confesses him as the Messiah. Jesus then teaches about the cost of discipleship: denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following him. The phrase 'take up your cross' does not refer to minor inconveniences but to accepting sacrifice and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus rebukes Peter for thinking in human terms rather than divine terms, showing that messiahship involves suffering, not worldly triumph. For children, emphasize that following Jesus means putting others first and doing kind and loving things even when it is hard. Set aside the deeper theology of redemptive suffering and the scandal of the cross, which is too abstract for this age.

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 inviting us to be your followers. Help us to love others and to do good things even when it feels hard. We ask this in your name. 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 done something kind for someone else even when you did not really feel like it?

Example: One time my little sister wanted to play with my toys and I did not want to share, but I let her play anyway because it made her happy.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes being kind or helpful is easy, and sometimes it takes effort. In today's reading, Jesus teaches his friends that following him means putting others first, even when it is not easy.

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 ask about when he said, 'Who do people say that I am?'

    Example: Jesus was asking about himself. He wanted to know what people thought about who he was.

  2. What did Peter say when Jesus asked, 'Who do you say that I am?'

    Example: Peter said that Jesus is the Messiah, which means the special person God promised to send to help everyone.

  3. What did Jesus say his followers need to do?

    Example: Jesus said that if someone wants to follow him, they need to forget about just themselves and take up their cross.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted his friends to put others first?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to show love to other people because that is what makes God happy and helps everyone.

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 you do something hard because it is the right thing to do?

    Example: It feels a little hard at first but then I feel really good inside because I know I did the right thing.

  2. What is one way you could put someone else first at home or at school?

    Example: I could let my friend go first in a game, or I could help my mom clean up even if I want to play instead.

  3. This week, who is one person you could do something kind for, even if it is hard?

    Example: I could be extra nice to my little brother and share my favorite snack with him even though I want it all.

Recap

Today we heard that Peter knew Jesus was the Messiah, the special one sent by God. Jesus taught that following him means putting others first and doing loving things even when it is hard. Jesus invites each of us to follow him by showing love to the people around 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 children who find it hard to be kind when they are tired or frustrated, that Jesus will help them put others first, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Jesus, thank you for teaching us how to follow you. Help us this week to put others first and to show your love in everything we do. 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

Following Jesus

Mark 8:27-35

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Peter
  • Messiah
  • follow
  • cross
  • love
  • kind
  • friend
  • helper
  • heart
  • listen
  • share

ChildrensLiturgy.org