Children's Liturgy Guide

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Shows Us What Matters Most

Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6

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

In today's reading, some people got upset because Jesus and his friends picked grain on the Sabbath, and Jesus healed a man with a hurt hand on that special day. Jesus teaches us that helping people who are hurting is always the right thing to do, even on the day of rest.

Key Points

  • Jesus cared more about helping a hurting person than following strict rules
  • The Sabbath was meant to be a day to rest and be with God, not a day to ignore people who need help
  • Jesus shows us that love and kindness are more important than just following rules
  • God wants us to help others, especially when they are suffering

Background

This Gospel presents Jesus in conflict with religious authorities over Sabbath observance. The Pharisees held rigid interpretations of Sabbath law, viewing any work as forbidden. Jesus challenges this by asserting that the Sabbath was made for humanity's benefit, not as a burden, and that acts of mercy and healing fulfill rather than violate God's intention for the day. The phrase 'the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath' is a claim to divine authority. For children, emphasize that Jesus healed someone who was hurting because helping people is always good, and set aside the theological debates about Sabbath law and Jesus's divine authority claims. Focus on the concrete image of Jesus noticing the man with the withered hand and choosing to help him even when others said he should not.

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 caring about people who are hurting. Help us to be kind and helpful to others, just like you are to 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 that you could not help someone, but you really wanted to help them anyway?

Example: One time my little brother was crying and my mom said to leave him alone, but I really wanted to give him a hug because he was so sad.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes we really want to help someone, even when others tell us we should not. In today's reading, Jesus sees a man with a hurt hand, and some people say Jesus should not help him because it is a special day of rest. Let us listen to find out what Jesus does.

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 Jesus and his friends doing when they walked through the field?

    Example: They were walking through a field and picking some grain to eat because they were hungry from walking.

  2. What was wrong with the man Jesus met in the synagogue?

    Example: The man had a hand that did not work right. It was all shriveled up and he could not use it properly.

  3. What did Jesus ask the man with the hurt hand to do?

    Example: Jesus asked the man to stretch out his hand, to hold it out in front of everyone so they could see.

  4. Why do you think Jesus decided to help the man even though some people were angry about it?

    Example: I think Jesus helped him because the man was hurting and Jesus loves people and does not want them to be sad or in pain.

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 with the hurt hand felt when Jesus made it better?

    Example: I think he felt so happy and surprised because now he could use his hand to play and hold things and wave to people.

  2. What could you do if you see someone at school who needs help, like if they dropped all their crayons?

    Example: I could stop what I am doing and help them pick up all their crayons so they do not feel sad or alone.

  3. This week, who is someone in your family you could help without being asked?

    Example: I could help my mom or dad by putting my toys away or getting my little sister a cup of water when she is thirsty.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus helped a man with a hurt hand, even when some people said he should not help on the special day of rest. Jesus teaches us that being kind and helping people who are hurting is always the right thing to do.

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 someone to help them feel better, 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 we extend our hands to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, we can remember the man in the Gospel who stretched out his hurt hand to Jesus and was healed. Jesus wants to touch us and make us whole too.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for teaching us through Jesus that helping others is always good. Give us brave and loving hearts so we can be helpers to everyone we meet. 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 Shows Us What Matters Most

Mark 2:23-3:6

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Sabbath
  • heal
  • hand
  • grain
  • help
  • kind
  • rest
  • love
  • field
  • synagogue

ChildrensLiturgy.org