Children's Liturgy Guide

Most Holy Trinity

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Sends Us with Love

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

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

After Jesus rose from the dead, he met his friends on a mountain and gave them a very special job. He told them to go and tell everyone about God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and promised to be with them always.

Key Points

  • Jesus gave his disciples an important mission to baptize and teach all people
  • Jesus taught us about the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  • Jesus promises to be with us always, even when we cannot see him
  • We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit just like Jesus said

Background

This Gospel is the Great Commission, the risen Christ's final instruction to his disciples before his Ascension. The Trinitarian formula 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit' is central to Christian baptism and appears here as Jesus' own command. The disciples worshiped Jesus but some doubted, showing that faith and uncertainty can coexist. Jesus claims universal authority and promises his abiding presence until the end of the age. For children, emphasize two concrete points: first, that Jesus taught us God is like a loving family of three persons who are always together, and second, that Jesus promises never to leave us. Set aside abstract explanations of how three persons can be one God, which is beyond young children's comprehension.

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 God, thank you for loving us so much that you are always with us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Help us to listen carefully today and to share your love with everyone we meet. 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 had someone promise to stay with you, like when you were scared or starting something new?

Example: Yes, when I started school my mom promised she would always come back to pick me up, and that made me feel not so scared anymore.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone we love promises to stay with us. In today's reading, we will hear Jesus make a very special promise to his friends, telling them he will be with them always, forever and ever.

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 meet his disciples in this story?

    Example: Jesus met his disciples on a mountain in Galilee, which is the place where he told them to go.

  2. What did Jesus tell his disciples to do?

    Example: Jesus told them to go and make disciples of all nations and to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  3. What special promise did Jesus make at the very end?

    Example: Jesus promised that he would be with them always, all the way until the end of the world, which means forever.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted his friends to tell everyone about God?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted everyone to know how much God loves them and so they could be part of God's family too.

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 feel to know that Jesus promised to be with you always, even when you cannot see him?

    Example: It makes me feel happy and safe inside because I know Jesus is always there with me even when I am alone.

  2. Jesus asked his friends to share good news with others. Who is someone you could share something kind or good with?

    Example: I could share something kind with my little brother when he is sad and tell him that Jesus loves him.

  3. This week, when could you make the Sign of the Cross and remember that God is with you?

    Example: I could make the Sign of the Cross before I go to sleep at night to remember God is watching over me.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus met his friends on a mountain after he rose from the dead. He gave them an important job: to tell everyone about God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Best of all, Jesus promised to be with them always, and that same promise is for us too.

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 children who will be baptized this year, that they may always feel Jesus close to them, 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 make the Sign of the Cross at the beginning and end of Mass, we say the exact same words Jesus taught his disciples: 'In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' Every time we cross ourselves, we remember what Jesus said on that mountain.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for your promise to be with us always. Help us to remember that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love us and are always near. 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 Sends Us with Love

Matthew 28:16-20

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Father
  • Son
  • Spirit
  • baptize
  • mountain
  • promise
  • always
  • disciples
  • teach
  • love
  • Trinity

ChildrensLiturgy.org