Children's Liturgy Guide

4th Sunday of Easter

Year C · Easter

Jesus Knows My Name

Reading: John 10:27-30

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 tells us that he is like a good shepherd who knows each of his sheep. His sheep hear his voice and follow him, and he promises to keep them safe forever.

Key Points

  • Jesus describes himself as a shepherd and us as his sheep
  • Jesus knows each of us personally, like a shepherd knows each sheep
  • When we listen to Jesus and follow him, he keeps us safe
  • No one can take us away from Jesus or from God the Father
  • Jesus and the Father are one, showing us how much God loves us

Background

In this short but theologically rich passage, Jesus uses the shepherd-sheep metaphor common in Jewish scripture to describe his intimate relationship with believers. The phrase 'I give them eternal life' points to salvation, and 'no one will snatch them out of my hand' emphasizes divine protection and the security of belonging to Christ. The climactic statement 'The Father and I are one' reveals Jesus' divine nature and unity with the Father, a profound Trinitarian claim. For children, emphasize the personal, protective love of Jesus who knows them by name and promises to keep them safe, setting aside the deeper theological implications of Christ's divinity and eternal life for now. Focus on the concrete image of a shepherd who recognizes each sheep's voice and cares for them individually.

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 our Good Shepherd who knows each of us by name. Help us to listen for your voice and follow you today and always. 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 someone ever called your name in a big crowd and you knew exactly who it was just by hearing their voice?

Example: Yes, one time I was at the playground and my mom called my name and I knew it was her right away even though there were lots of other moms there too.

Bridge to the reading: You could tell it was someone who loves you just by the sound of their voice. In today's reading, Jesus tells us that he is like a shepherd, and we are like his sheep. His sheep know his voice, and he knows each one of them by name.

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. In today's reading, what does Jesus say his sheep do when they hear his voice?

    Example: Jesus says his sheep listen to his voice and they follow him wherever he goes.

  2. What does Jesus promise to give to his sheep?

    Example: Jesus promises to give them life that lasts forever, and they will never ever be lost.

  3. Jesus says no one can snatch his sheep away. What do you think that means?

    Example: I think it means Jesus holds onto us really tight and keeps us safe so nothing bad can take us away from him.

  4. At the end, Jesus says he and the Father are one. Why do you think that is important?

    Example: I think it means Jesus and God the Father love us together and they both want to keep us safe always.

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 knows your name and loves you like a shepherd loves his sheep?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and safe inside, like I am special and someone is always watching out for me.

  2. What are some ways we can listen to Jesus like sheep listen to their shepherd?

    Example: We can pray and talk to Jesus, we can listen to stories about him, and we can be kind like he teaches us.

  3. This week, when might you remember that Jesus is taking care of you like a good shepherd?

    Example: Maybe when I feel scared at night I can remember Jesus is like my shepherd and he is keeping me safe.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell us that he is our Good Shepherd. He knows each of us by name, just like a shepherd knows every single one of his sheep. When we listen to his voice and follow him, he keeps us safe, and no one can ever take us away from his love.

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 alone or afraid, that they may know Jesus their Good Shepherd is always with 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.

Just before Communion, we pray the Lamb of God: 'Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.' This connects to today's reading because Jesus is both our shepherd who cares for us and the Lamb who saves us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd. Help us to listen for your voice this week and to follow you. Keep us safe in your loving hands. 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 Knows My Name

John 10:27-30

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • shepherd
  • sheep
  • voice
  • listen
  • follow
  • safe
  • Father
  • love
  • name
  • care
  • protect

ChildrensLiturgy.org