Children's Liturgy Guide

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Teaches with Power

Reading: Mark 1:21-28

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 went to the synagogue and taught the people. Everyone was amazed because He spoke with special authority, not like other teachers. When a man with an unclean spirit cried out, Jesus commanded the spirit to leave, and it obeyed Him right away.

Key Points

  • Jesus taught with authority that came from being the Son of God
  • The people recognized something different and powerful about Jesus
  • Even unclean spirits had to obey Jesus when He commanded them
  • Jesus shows His power over evil through His words alone

Background

In this passage, Mark establishes Jesus' divine authority at the very start of His public ministry. The Greek word for authority (exousia) indicates power that comes from one's very nature, not delegated power. The scribes taught by quoting other rabbis; Jesus taught on His own authority because He is God. The exorcism dramatizes this authority: evil itself must submit to Christ's command. For children, emphasize that Jesus is so powerful that even scary things have to listen to Him and obey. Set aside the theological complexity of demonic possession and the nature of unclean spirits. Focus on the simple truth that Jesus' words are powerful because He is God's Son, and nothing bad is stronger than Jesus.

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 being so powerful and for always protecting us. Help us to listen carefully to Your words today and to trust that You are stronger than anything that scares 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.

Has anyone ever told you to do something and you knew you really had to listen because that person was in charge?

Example: Yes, when my mom uses her serious voice I know she really means it and I have to stop what I am doing right away and listen to her.

Bridge to the reading: You know how some people speak in a way that makes everyone stop and really listen? In today's reading, we will hear about when Jesus spoke in the synagogue, and everyone was amazed because His words were so powerful that even something scary had to obey Him.

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. Where did Jesus go to teach the people?

    Example: Jesus went to the synagogue, which is like a church where people go to learn about God and pray together.

  2. How did the people feel when they heard Jesus teaching?

    Example: The people were really amazed and surprised because Jesus taught differently than anyone else they had ever heard before.

  3. What did Jesus say to the unclean spirit, and what happened?

    Example: Jesus told the spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man, and the spirit had to obey Jesus right away.

  4. Why do you think everyone was so surprised by what Jesus did?

    Example: I think they were surprised because Jesus just used His words and the spirit listened, and nobody else could do that.

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 make you feel to know that Jesus is stronger than anything scary?

    Example: It makes me feel safe and not so afraid because I know Jesus can protect me from bad things.

  2. When you feel scared at night or worried about something, what could you do?

    Example: I could pray to Jesus and ask Him to help me feel brave because He is stronger than anything.

  3. This week, who could you tell about how powerful Jesus is?

    Example: I could tell my friend at school that Jesus is really strong and can help us when we are scared.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus went to the synagogue and taught the people. Everyone was amazed because Jesus spoke with real power, not like other teachers. When an unclean spirit was there, Jesus commanded it to leave, and it had to obey Him. This shows us that Jesus is so powerful that nothing scary is stronger than Him. We can always trust Jesus to help 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 all children who feel scared or worried, that they may know Jesus is stronger than anything and feel His protection, 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 says 'The Lord be with you' and the people respond 'And with your spirit,' we are recognizing that the priest speaks with a special authority given by Jesus. Just as the people in the synagogue recognized Jesus' authority, we recognize that Jesus gives authority to speak in His name at Mass.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for showing us how powerful You are. Help us to remember that You are always with us and that nothing is stronger than You. Give us brave hearts 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 Teaches with Power

Mark 1:21-28

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • synagogue
  • teach
  • amazed
  • authority
  • spirit
  • obey
  • powerful
  • command
  • listen
  • protect

ChildrensLiturgy.org