Children's Liturgy Guide

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Teaches Us to Help Others

Reading: Mark 10:35-45

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

Two of Jesus' friends asked to have the best seats next to him. Jesus taught them that the most important people are not the ones who boss others around, but the ones who help and serve others.

Key Points

  • James and John wanted places of honor, but Jesus redirected their ambition
  • True greatness in God's kingdom means serving others, not being served
  • Jesus himself came to serve, not to be served, setting the ultimate example
  • We become great in God's eyes by helping others, not by seeking attention or power

Background

In this passage, James and John request positions of glory at Jesus' right and left hand. They misunderstand the nature of Jesus' kingdom, expecting earthly power and prestige. Jesus responds by contrasting worldly authority, where rulers lord power over others, with kingdom authority, where greatness is measured by service. The reference to the cup and baptism foreshadows Jesus' suffering and death. The climax is Jesus' declaration that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This is a profound statement of Christ's redemptive mission. For children, emphasize the simple, concrete lesson: Jesus wants us to be helpers, not bosses. Set aside the complex theology of ransom, atonement, and the cup of suffering. Focus on Jesus as our example of helping others.

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 showing us how to be kind and helpful. Please help us learn today how we can serve others the way you do. 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 helped someone without being asked, like carrying something heavy for them or cleaning up a mess? What did you do?

Example: One time my little brother dropped all his crayons on the floor and I helped him pick them all up even though he did not ask me to help him.

Bridge to the reading: It feels good when we help others, does it not? In today's reading, Jesus teaches his friends that helping others is the most important thing we can do, even more important than being the boss or sitting in the best seat.

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 were the two friends of Jesus who came to ask him a special question?

    Example: It was James and John who came to Jesus to ask him for something special that they wanted.

  2. What did James and John ask Jesus for?

    Example: They asked Jesus if they could sit in the best seats right next to him, one on each side.

  3. How did the other friends of Jesus feel when they heard what James and John wanted?

    Example: The other friends were upset and angry because they thought it was not fair that James and John wanted the best spots.

  4. What did Jesus say is the way to be really great and important?

    Example: Jesus said that if you want to be great, you have to be a helper and a servant to everyone else around you.

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 inside when someone helps you with something hard, like tying your shoes or reaching something tall?

    Example: I feel really happy and thankful when someone helps me, and it makes me feel like they really care about me a lot.

  2. At school, what is one way you could be a helper to a classmate who needs some help?

    Example: If someone drops their books or papers, I could help them pick everything up and carry it back to their desk.

  3. This week at home, who is one person you could help, and what could you do for them?

    Example: I could help my mom by setting the table for dinner without her asking me to do it, which would make her happy.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus' friends James and John wanted the best seats next to Jesus. But Jesus taught them something important: the greatest people are not the ones who want to be in charge. The greatest people are the helpers. Jesus told us that he came to help others, and he wants us to do the same.

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 people who spend their days helping others, like teachers, nurses, and parents, that God will bless them for their service, 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 washes his hands during the Offertory, it recalls Jesus washing the disciples' feet at the Last Supper, showing that even he, the greatest of all, came to serve others.

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 helping others makes us great in your eyes. Help us this week to look for ways to serve our family and friends, just like you served everyone around you. 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 Teaches Us to Help Others

Mark 10:35-45

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • James
  • John
  • serve
  • helper
  • great
  • friends
  • humble
  • kindness
  • love
  • teach
  • follow

ChildrensLiturgy.org