Children's Liturgy Guide

7th Sunday of Easter

Year C · Easter

Jesus Is Coming Back

Reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 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

In this reading, Jesus tells us He is coming back soon. He promises to bring gifts for everyone who loves Him. Jesus invites everyone to come to Him, like someone offering a drink of cool water to anyone who is thirsty.

Key Points

  • Jesus promises He will come again
  • Jesus calls Himself the bright morning star, a beautiful light
  • Jesus invites everyone to come to Him
  • We wait for Jesus with hope and joy
  • We can say 'Come, Lord Jesus' as a prayer

Background

This passage is from the very end of the Book of Revelation, where the risen and glorified Christ speaks directly to the Church. Jesus uses royal language, calling Himself the Alpha and Omega (beginning and end), the root and descendant of David, and the bright morning star. He promises to return and bring rewards, and He extends an open invitation: 'Let anyone who is thirsty come.' The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) respond with longing: 'Come!' The final prayer, 'Come, Lord Jesus,' is one of the oldest Christian prayers (Maranatha). For children, emphasize the concrete images: Jesus as a bright star, the invitation to come like being offered a drink when thirsty, and the joyful waiting for someone we love to arrive. Set aside the apocalyptic context, the tree of life symbolism, and theological concepts like eschatological fulfillment or the beatific vision.

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 promising to come back to us. Help us to wait for You with happy hearts and to share Your love with everyone we meet today. 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 waited for someone special to arrive, like a grandparent coming to visit or a friend coming to your birthday party? How did it feel to wait?

Example: When my grandma was coming to visit, I kept looking out the window and asking my mom when she would be here because I was so excited to see her.

Bridge to the reading: That excited, happy feeling of waiting for someone you love is just like how we can feel about Jesus. In today's reading, Jesus promises He is coming back to us, and we get to wait for Him with joy.

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 the reading, what does Jesus say He is bringing with Him when He comes?

    Example: Jesus says He is bringing gifts to give to everyone, like rewards for the people who love Him.

  2. Jesus calls Himself a special name about light. What does He call Himself?

    Example: Jesus calls Himself the bright morning star, which is a really beautiful star that shines in the sky.

  3. What does Jesus invite thirsty people to come and do?

    Example: Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come to Him and drink, like He is giving them water.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wants everyone to come to Him?

    Example: I think Jesus wants everyone to come because He loves us all and wants to take care of us and make us happy.

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 make you feel to know that Jesus is coming back and wants to be with you?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and special because Jesus loves me so much that He wants to come back for me.

  2. Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. How can you invite a friend to learn about Jesus?

    Example: I could tell my friend that Jesus loves them, or I could ask them to come to church with me sometime.

  3. This week, when could you say the little prayer 'Come, Lord Jesus' to remember He is with you?

    Example: I could say it at night before I go to sleep, or maybe when I wake up in the morning to start my day.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus promise that He is coming back to be with us. He called Himself the bright morning star, a beautiful light in the sky. Jesus invites everyone to come to Him, just like offering a cool drink to someone who is thirsty. We can wait for Jesus with happy, hopeful hearts and pray, 'Come, Lord Jesus.'

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 around the world who are waiting to learn about Jesus and His love, 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.

The prayer 'Come, Lord Jesus' at the end of this reading echoes the ancient Aramaic prayer 'Maranatha' and connects to our longing for Jesus expressed in the Eucharistic acclamation 'We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.'

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Jesus, thank You for promising to come back for us. Help us to be lights in the world like You are the bright morning star. Fill our hearts with joy as we wait for You. 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 Is Coming Back

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • coming
  • star
  • bright
  • thirsty
  • water
  • invite
  • promise
  • joy
  • waiting
  • love
  • light

ChildrensLiturgy.org