Children's Liturgy Guide

Palm Sunday

Year C · Lent

Jesus Came Down for Us

Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

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

This reading tells us that Jesus is God, but He chose to become a person just like us. He was humble and obeyed God the Father, even when it was very hard. Because of His great love, God gave Jesus the most special name of all.

Key Points

  • Jesus is God but chose to become human like us
  • Jesus showed humility by serving others instead of being served
  • Jesus obeyed God the Father completely, even through suffering
  • God raised Jesus up and gave Him the name above all names
  • We can follow Jesus by being humble and putting others first

Background

This passage is an ancient hymn that Paul includes in his letter to the Philippians. It proclaims the mystery of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery in poetic form. Theologically, it affirms Christ's divine preexistence, His kenosis (self-emptying), His full humanity, His redemptive obedience unto death, and His subsequent exaltation by the Father. The phrase 'did not regard equality with God something to be grasped' points to Christ's voluntary humiliation, while 'every knee should bend' anticipates the universal Lordship of Christ. For children, emphasize the concrete image of Jesus choosing to 'come down' from heaven to be with us and help us, like a king who takes off his crown to help someone in need. Set aside the theological complexities of kenosis and hypostatic union. Focus on the love that motivated Jesus to become one of us.

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 sending Jesus to be with us. Help us learn from His humble and loving heart today. 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 given up something special to help someone else, like sharing your favorite toy or letting someone else go first?

Example: One time my little brother really wanted to play with my new truck, and I let him have a turn even though I wanted to keep playing with it myself.

Bridge to the reading: That was so kind of you to give up something you wanted for someone else. In today's reading, we will hear about Jesus giving up something much bigger. He gave up being in heaven with all His glory to come down and be with us.

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. Who does today's reading tell us Jesus is equal to?

    Example: The reading says Jesus is equal to God. That means Jesus is God, just like the Father is God.

  2. What did Jesus choose to become instead of staying in heaven?

    Example: Jesus chose to become a human being like us. He became a servant and was born as a baby.

  3. What did Jesus do to show He loved God the Father?

    Example: Jesus obeyed God the Father in everything, even when it was really hard and even when He suffered.

  4. Why do you think God gave Jesus the name above every other name?

    Example: I think God gave Jesus the best name because Jesus was so humble and loving and did everything God asked Him to do.

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 left heaven because He wanted to be close to you?

    Example: It makes me feel really special and loved, like Jesus really cares about me and wanted to be my friend.

  2. What is one way you could be humble at school, like putting someone else first?

    Example: I could let another kid go first in line or let someone else pick the game we play at recess.

  3. This week at home, how could you help someone in your family without being asked?

    Example: I could set the table for dinner or help pick up my little sister's toys without Mom asking me to do it.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus is God, but He chose to come down from heaven to become a person like us. He was humble and obeyed God the Father because He loves us so much. God gave Jesus the most special name because of His great love and obedience.

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 find it hard to put others first, that Jesus will help them learn to be humble and kind, 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 we say 'Jesus Christ is Lord' at the end of the Gloria, we echo the very words from today's reading, where Paul proclaims that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You came to be with us. Help us to be humble like You and to put others first 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 Came Down for Us

Philippians 2:6-11

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • humble
  • Lord
  • servant
  • obey
  • love
  • heaven
  • name
  • God
  • Father
  • glory
  • knee

ChildrensLiturgy.org