Children's Liturgy Guide

Ascension of the Lord

Year C · Easter

Jesus Goes to Heaven

Reading: Luke 24:46-53

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 blessed his friends and then went up to heaven to be with God the Father. His friends were so happy they went back to the city praising God. Jesus promised to send them help from heaven.

Key Points

  • Jesus blessed his disciples before he ascended to heaven
  • The disciples were filled with joy, not sadness, because Jesus promised to be with them always
  • Jesus told his friends to share the good news about God's love and forgiveness with everyone
  • The disciples worshipped Jesus and returned to Jerusalem praising God

Background

In this passage, Jesus completes his earthly ministry by blessing his disciples and ascending to the Father's right hand. The Ascension marks the transition from Jesus' physical presence to his spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit. Theologically, the Ascension affirms Christ's divine glory and his ongoing role as mediator between God and humanity. The disciples' joy is remarkable, as they might have been expected to grieve. Their joy comes from understanding that Jesus' departure means he will send the Holy Spirit and that he now reigns in heaven interceding for them. For children, emphasize the concrete image of Jesus blessing his friends with raised hands and the surprising joy the disciples felt, setting aside the complex theology of Christ's heavenly reign and cosmic authority.

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 blessing us and for going to heaven to prepare a place for us. Help us to feel the same joy your friends felt when we think about you in heaven. 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 to say goodbye to someone you love, like a grandparent or friend who was going on a trip? How did you feel?

Example: When my grandma went back home after visiting, I felt really sad because I wanted her to stay longer with me and play more games together.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes saying goodbye feels sad. But in today's reading, something surprising happens. Jesus says goodbye to his friends, but instead of being sad, they are filled with great joy. Let us listen to find out why.

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 did Jesus do with his hands before he went up to heaven?

    Example: Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed all of his friends who were standing there with him.

  2. Where did Jesus go after he blessed his friends?

    Example: Jesus went up into the sky and he went to heaven to be with God the Father.

  3. How did the disciples feel after Jesus went to heaven? Were they sad or happy?

    Example: The disciples felt really happy and full of joy, and they went back to the city praising God.

  4. Why do you think the disciples were joyful instead of sad when Jesus left?

    Example: I think they were happy because Jesus promised to send them help and they knew he would always love them and be with them in a special way.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. When you think about Jesus being in heaven and watching over you, how does that make you feel inside?

    Example: It makes me feel safe and happy because I know Jesus is taking care of me even though I cannot see him with my eyes.

  2. Jesus blessed his friends. How can you be a blessing to someone in your family this week?

    Example: I could help my little brother clean up his toys or give my mom a big hug when she is tired from working.

  3. The disciples praised God and were full of joy. What is one way you could praise God at school or with your friends?

    Example: I could say thank you to God before I eat my lunch at school, or I could be really kind to my friends and share with them.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus blessed his friends, raised his hands, and went up to heaven. His friends were not sad. They were filled with great joy. They praised God and trusted that Jesus would always be with them. Jesus blesses us too, and we can be joyful knowing he is always watching over us from heaven.

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 miss someone they love, that they may feel the joy and peace of Jesus with them always, 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 raises his hands to bless us at the end of Mass, he is doing what Jesus did when he blessed his friends before going to heaven. We can remember Jesus blessing the disciples every time we receive the final blessing.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for blessing us and for going to heaven to be with your Father. Fill our hearts with joy like your friends had. Help us to share your love with 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 Goes to Heaven

Luke 24:46-53

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • heaven
  • blessing
  • joy
  • praise
  • disciples
  • hands
  • worship
  • Father
  • risen
  • love
  • friends

ChildrensLiturgy.org