Children's Liturgy Guide

3rd Sunday of Lent

Year C · Lent

The Fig Tree Gets Another Chance

Reading: Luke 13:1-9

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 a story about a fig tree that was not growing any fruit. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener asked for one more year to help it grow. This story shows us that God is patient and gives us chances to grow and become better.

Key Points

  • God is patient with us and gives us time to grow
  • We are called to change our hearts and turn toward God during Lent
  • Just like a gardener cares for a tree, God cares for us and helps us grow
  • We should use the chances God gives us to become more loving

Background

This Gospel passage pairs a call to repentance with the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. Jesus uses two recent tragedies to challenge the assumption that suffering always indicates personal sin, then pivots to the universal need for repentance. The fig tree parable illustrates divine patience: the owner represents righteous judgment, while the gardener embodies God's mercy, interceding for more time. Theologically, this reflects the tension between justice and mercy, with mercy prevailing for a season. The gardener's offer to dig around and fertilize the tree symbolizes God's active grace working to help us bear fruit. For children, emphasize the gardener's patient care and the idea that God always gives us chances to try again and grow, setting aside the discussion of tragedy and divine judgment.

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 being so patient with us. Help us to grow closer to you this Lent and to become more loving each day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 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 been trying to learn something new, like riding a bike or tying your shoes, and someone gave you another chance to try again?

Example: Yes, when I was learning to tie my shoes, I kept messing up but my mom said to try again and she helped me practice more times.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone believes in us and gives us another chance to try. In today's reading, Jesus tells a story about a gardener who asks for one more chance to help a little tree grow.

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 kind of tree did the man have in his garden?

    Example: The man had a fig tree in his garden, and he planted it there hoping it would grow yummy figs.

  2. What did the owner of the garden want to do with the tree that had no fruit?

    Example: The owner wanted to cut the tree down because it was not growing any figs and he thought it was wasting space.

  3. What did the gardener ask the owner to do instead of cutting down the tree?

    Example: The gardener asked the owner to please wait one more year so he could take care of it and help it grow.

  4. Why do you think the gardener wanted to give the tree more time?

    Example: I think the gardener really cared about the tree and believed it could still grow fruit if he helped it more.

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 when someone is patient with you and gives you another chance?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and loved because they believe in me and want to help me do better next time.

  2. What is something you are still learning that you could keep trying at, even when it is hard?

    Example: I am learning to read bigger words, and sometimes I mess up but I can keep practicing with my teacher.

  3. This week, how could you be patient like the gardener with someone in your family?

    Example: If my little brother makes a mess or breaks something, I could be patient and help him fix it instead of getting mad.

Recap

Today we heard about a fig tree that was not growing any fruit. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the kind gardener asked for one more year to help it grow. This story reminds us that God is like that patient gardener. God always gives us chances to grow and become better, especially during Lent.

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 are learning something new and need patience and help, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for being patient with us like the gardener in the story. Help us to keep trying to be good and to grow closer to you every day. 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

The Fig Tree Gets Another Chance

Luke 13:1-9

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.

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

Words to find

  • fig
  • tree
  • gardener
  • patient
  • grow
  • fruit
  • chance
  • Lent
  • care
  • Jesus
  • love
  • change

ChildrensLiturgy.org