Children's Liturgy Guide

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Heals and Welcomes

Reading: Mark 1:40-45

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

A man with a painful skin sickness came to Jesus and begged to be made clean. Jesus reached out and touched him, healing him right away. Jesus wanted this man to feel loved and welcomed again.

Key Points

  • Jesus was not afraid to touch someone everyone else avoided
  • The man had faith that Jesus could heal him if he chose to
  • Jesus responded with compassion, which means he felt the man's pain in his own heart
  • Being healed meant the man could be with his family and community again

Background

In ancient Israel, people with leprosy were forced to live apart from everyone else. They had to warn others to stay away. This was deeply isolating, both physically and spiritually. Jesus breaking this barrier by touching the leper was radical: he could have healed with a word, but he chose physical contact, restoring the man's dignity and belonging. The command to show himself to the priest followed Levitical law for reintegration into the community. For children, emphasize that Jesus reached out to someone who felt alone and unwanted, and that Jesus wants everyone to feel welcomed and loved. Set aside the purity law details and focus on the concrete action of Jesus touching and healing someone others avoided.

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 every single person. Help us to be kind to people who feel left out, just like you were. 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 felt left out, like no one wanted to play with you or sit with you?

Example: One time at recess nobody picked me for their team and I had to stand by myself and it made me feel really sad inside.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so lonely when we are left out. In today's Gospel, we will hear about a man who had to live all alone because he was very sick, and no one would come near him. But then he met Jesus.

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 came to Jesus asking for help?

    Example: A man who was really sick came to Jesus and he got down on his knees and asked Jesus to help him.

  2. What did the sick man say to Jesus?

    Example: He said if you want to, you can make me clean, which means he believed Jesus could heal him if he chose to.

  3. What did Jesus do that surprised people?

    Example: Jesus reached out his hand and actually touched the man, and nobody else would touch him because they were scared of his sickness.

  4. Why do you think Jesus touched the man instead of just saying words?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted the man to feel loved and not so alone anymore, like someone really cared about 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 the man felt when Jesus touched him and healed him?

    Example: I think he felt so happy and loved because finally someone was not afraid of him and wanted to be near him.

  2. What could you do if you see someone at school sitting alone or looking sad?

    Example: I could go over and ask if they want to play with me or sit next to them so they do not feel so lonely.

  3. This week, who is someone you could be extra kind to, like Jesus was kind?

    Example: I could be extra kind to the new kid in my class because she does not have many friends yet and I could help her feel welcome.

Recap

Today we heard how a man who was very sick and had to live all alone came to Jesus for help. Jesus did something amazing: he reached out and touched the man, making him well again. Jesus showed us that everyone deserves to feel loved and welcomed, especially people who feel left out.

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 feel lonely or left out at school, that they may know they are loved by God and find good friends, we pray to the Lord.

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 to love people who feel alone. Help us to reach out to others with kindness this week, just like you did. 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 Heals and Welcomes

Mark 1:40-45

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • touch
  • heal
  • kind
  • welcome
  • faith
  • friend
  • love
  • prayer
  • sick
  • care
  • help

ChildrensLiturgy.org