Children's Liturgy Guide

6th Sunday of Easter

Year C · Easter

Jesus Gives Us His Peace

Reading: John 14:23-29

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 his friends that he will send the Holy Spirit to help them and teach them. He also gives them a special gift: his peace. This peace is not like anything else in the world because it comes from Jesus himself.

Key Points

  • Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to help us remember his teachings
  • The Holy Spirit is also called the Advocate or Helper
  • Jesus gives us his peace, which is different from the world's peace
  • When we love Jesus, we keep his word and he makes his home with us
  • Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid

Background

In this passage from the Last Supper discourse, Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure by promising two gifts: the Holy Spirit (called the Advocate or Paraclete) and his peace. The peace Jesus offers is not merely the absence of conflict but the deep shalom that comes from union with God. The indwelling of the Trinity (Father and Son making their home with the believer) is profound theology rooted in love and obedience. For children, emphasize the concrete gift of peace that Jesus gives us when we feel scared or worried, and the idea that Jesus sends a special Helper to be with us always. Set aside the theological complexity of Trinitarian indwelling and the distinction between earthly and divine peace for older learners.

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 giving us your peace and for sending the Holy Spirit to help us. Please help us to listen carefully today and to feel your peace in our hearts. 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 scared or worried about something, and then someone helped you feel better? What did they do?

Example: One time I was scared of the dark and my mom came and sat with me and rubbed my back until I felt better and not so scared anymore.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone helps us feel calm and safe again. In today's reading, Jesus knows his friends are feeling worried, so he gives them a very special gift to help them feel better: his own peace.

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 special helper does Jesus say he will send to his friends?

    Example: Jesus says he will send the Holy Spirit to his friends. The Holy Spirit is a helper who will teach them and remind them of everything Jesus said.

  2. What gift does Jesus say he is leaving with his friends?

    Example: Jesus says he is leaving his peace with them. He gives them his own peace as a special gift before he goes away.

  3. Jesus says his peace is not like the world's peace. What do you think makes it different?

    Example: I think Jesus's peace is special because it comes from him and it stays inside your heart even when scary things happen around you.

  4. Why do you think Jesus told his friends not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to know that even though he was going away, they would still be okay because the Holy Spirit would be with them 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 inside when you are peaceful and calm?

    Example: When I feel peaceful it feels quiet and warm inside, like when I am snuggled up with my family and everything feels safe and good.

  2. What could you do if a friend at school was feeling scared or worried about something?

    Example: I could sit next to them and talk to them nicely and maybe hold their hand so they know they are not alone and someone cares.

  3. This week, when you feel worried or scared, what could you say to Jesus to ask for his peace?

    Example: I could close my eyes and say, Jesus please help me feel your peace in my heart right now because I am feeling scared.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus gives us a very special gift: his peace. This peace helps us feel calm and safe even when we are worried. Jesus also sends the Holy Spirit to be our helper and to remind us of everything Jesus taught us. We can ask Jesus for his peace anytime we feel scared or troubled.

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 today, that they may feel the peace of Jesus in their hearts, 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 'Peace be with you' and we share the Sign of Peace before Communion, we are sharing the same peace that Jesus gives us in today's reading. Jesus said 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.'

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your peace and for sending the Holy Spirit to help us. Help us to share your peace with everyone we meet 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 Gives Us His Peace

John 14:23-29

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • peace
  • Spirit
  • Holy
  • heart
  • helper
  • love
  • calm
  • friend
  • gift
  • teach
  • remember

ChildrensLiturgy.org