Children's Liturgy Guide

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Who Is the Greatest?

Reading: Mark 9:30-37

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 asked His disciples what they were arguing about on the road. They had been talking about who was the greatest among them. Jesus taught them that if anyone wants to be first, they must be last and serve everyone else. Then He hugged a little child and said that welcoming a child is like welcoming Him.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that being great means serving others, not being in charge
  • The disciples were embarrassed because they argued about who was most important
  • Jesus placed a child in the middle to show that caring for the small and humble matters most
  • Welcoming someone who seems unimportant is the same as welcoming Jesus

Background

In this passage, Jesus directly challenges worldly notions of greatness and authority. The disciples, still misunderstanding Jesus's messianic mission, debate their rank in what they imagine will be an earthly kingdom. Jesus's response inverts social hierarchies: true greatness lies in humble service, especially to those society overlooks. By embracing a child, a person of no social status in first-century culture, Jesus demonstrates that the Kingdom of God values what the world dismisses. For children, emphasize the concrete image of Jesus hugging a child and teaching that helping others is what makes someone truly great. Set aside the deeper theological implications of Jesus's second passion prediction that opens this passage.

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 children and showing us that we are important to You. Help us learn today how to be kind helpers and to welcome others the way You welcome us. 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 wanted to be first in line or be the winner at something? How did that feel?

Example: Yes, I really wanted to be first in line for the slide at recess because I did not want to wait a long time for my turn.

Bridge to the reading: In today's reading, Jesus's friends were arguing about something just like that. They wanted to know who was the most important. Let us listen to hear what Jesus taught them about being truly great.

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 were the disciples arguing about on the road?

    Example: They were arguing about which one of them was the greatest or the most important person in the group.

  2. What did the disciples do when Jesus asked them about their argument?

    Example: They stayed quiet and did not answer Him because they were probably embarrassed about what they were arguing about.

  3. What did Jesus do with the little child?

    Example: Jesus took the little child in His arms and hugged the child and put the child right in the middle of everyone.

  4. What did Jesus say about welcoming a child?

    Example: Jesus said that when you welcome a little child like this one, you are also welcoming Jesus Himself and God the Father too.

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 someone bigger or older takes time to be kind to you?

    Example: I feel really happy and special, like when my big cousin plays with me even though he has bigger friends.

  2. What is one way you could help someone younger or smaller than you this week?

    Example: I could help my little sister put on her shoes in the morning because she is still learning how to do it.

  3. Who is someone at school or in your neighborhood that might feel left out, and how could you welcome them?

    Example: There is a new kid in my class who does not have many friends yet, so I could ask them to play with me at recess.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus's friends were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus told them that to be truly great, you have to serve others and be last instead of first. He hugged a little child and said that welcoming children and helping people who are small or left out is the same as welcoming Jesus Himself.

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 left out or forgotten, that they may know they are loved and welcomed by Jesus, 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 reads the Gospel, everyone stands to show respect. Today we hear Jesus put a child right in the middle of His teaching. At Mass, children are welcomed and important, just like the child Jesus hugged.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us that being a helper is what makes us great in Your eyes. Help us this week to be kind to everyone, especially those who are small or left out. 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

Who Is the Greatest?

Mark 9:30-37

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • disciples
  • child
  • welcome
  • servant
  • greatest
  • humble
  • helping
  • love
  • kind
  • hug
  • friend

ChildrensLiturgy.org