Children's Liturgy Guide

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Bartimaeus Calls to Jesus

Reading: Mark 10:46-52

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

A blind man named Bartimaeus sat by the road begging. When he heard Jesus was near, he called out loudly for help. Jesus stopped, called him over, and healed him because Bartimaeus had faith.

Key Points

  • Bartimaeus trusted that Jesus could help him even though he could not see Jesus
  • Bartimaeus was brave and kept calling out even when people told him to be quiet
  • Jesus always stops and listens when we call to him
  • Faith means trusting Jesus and asking him for help

Background

This passage shows the connection between faith and healing. Bartimaeus uses the messianic title 'Son of David,' recognizing Jesus's identity and royal authority. The crowd initially rebukes him, but his persistent faith catches Jesus's attention. Jesus asks 'What do you want me to do for you?' even though the answer seems obvious, because he invites Bartimaeus to voice his need and participate in the encounter. The phrase 'your faith has saved you' indicates that healing comes through trusting relationship with Christ. For children, emphasize that Bartimaeus kept calling to Jesus even when others said stop, and that Jesus always hears us when we ask for help. Set aside discussion of messianic titles or theological distinctions between physical healing and spiritual salvation.

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 always listening when we call to you. Help us to have faith like Bartimaeus and to trust that you are always near. 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 called out to someone to get their attention, like when you really needed help with something?

Example: One time I fell off my bike and I yelled for my mom really loud and she came running outside to help me.

Bridge to the reading: You know how good it feels when someone hears you calling and comes to help. In today's reading, we will hear about a man who called out to Jesus because he really, really needed help, and Jesus stopped to listen.

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 was the name of the man in the story, and what was different about him?

    Example: His name was Bartimaeus and he was blind, which means he could not see anything at all.

  2. What did Bartimaeus do when he heard that Jesus was walking by?

    Example: He started calling out really loud and saying Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me and help me please.

  3. What did the people around Bartimaeus tell him to do, and did he listen to them?

    Example: The people told him to be quiet and stop yelling, but he did not listen and he just kept calling even louder.

  4. Why do you think Jesus stopped walking and asked Bartimaeus to come to him?

    Example: I think Jesus stopped because he heard Bartimaeus calling and he wanted to help him because Bartimaeus really believed in him.

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 think Bartimaeus felt when Jesus called him over?

    Example: I think he felt so happy and excited because Jesus actually heard him and wanted to help him get better.

  2. When you need help, what is something you can do to ask Jesus, even though you cannot see him?

    Example: I can close my eyes and pray to Jesus and tell him what I need help with because he always listens.

  3. This week, who is someone you could ask for help when you need it, like Bartimaeus asked Jesus?

    Example: I could ask my teacher for help if I do not understand something, or I could ask my mom or dad.

Recap

Today we heard about Bartimaeus, a blind man who called out to Jesus even when people told him to stop. Jesus heard him, stopped, and healed him. Jesus always hears us when we call to him with faith.

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 are sick or hurting and need Jesus to hear their prayers, 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.

Just before Communion, we pray the words 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' Like Bartimaeus asking Jesus to help him see, we ask Jesus to heal us and make us ready to receive him.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for always hearing us when we call to you. Help us to trust you like Bartimaeus did, and to know that you are always listening. 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

Bartimaeus Calls to Jesus

Mark 10:46-52

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.

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

Words to find

  • Bartimaeus
  • Jesus
  • blind
  • faith
  • calling
  • healed
  • listen
  • trust
  • road
  • prayer
  • help
  • mercy

ChildrensLiturgy.org