Children's Liturgy Guide

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Who Is Jesus?

Reading: Luke 9:18-24

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 asked his friends a very important question: Who do you say that I am? Peter answered that Jesus is the Christ, the one God promised to send. Jesus teaches us that following him means loving him more than anything else.

Key Points

  • Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was, then asked who they believed him to be
  • Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah sent by God
  • Jesus teaches that following him means putting him first in our lives
  • We can tell others who Jesus is to us, just like Peter did

Background

This passage marks a turning point in Luke's Gospel where Peter makes his confession of faith. The title 'Christ' (Greek) or 'Messiah' (Hebrew) means 'the anointed one,' referring to God's promised savior. Jesus' teaching about taking up one's cross daily points to self-denial and prioritizing God's will over personal comfort. The phrase 'lose his life for my sake will save it' speaks to the paradox of Christian discipleship: true fulfillment comes through surrender to Christ. For children, emphasize the simple but powerful act of saying who Jesus is to us and choosing to follow him each day. Set aside the deeper theological implications of the cross and suffering, focusing instead on the relationship of trust and love between Jesus and his followers.

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 being our friend and our Savior. Help us today to know you better and to tell others how much we love you. 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.

Has anyone ever asked you to tell them about your best friend? What kinds of things did you say about them?

Example: Yes, my grandma asked me about my friend Emma. I told her that Emma is really nice and she shares her snacks with me and we like to play together at recess.

Bridge to the reading: It feels special when someone asks us about the people we love, and we get excited to share! In today's reading, Jesus asks his friends a very important question about who they think he is, and Peter gets to share his answer.

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 question did Jesus ask his disciples first, about what other people were saying?

    Example: Jesus asked them who the crowds said he was. People were guessing he might be John the Baptist or one of the old prophets come back.

  2. Then Jesus asked his friends directly: Who do you say that I am? What did Peter answer?

    Example: Peter said that Jesus is the Christ of God. That means Peter knew Jesus was the special one that God promised to send to help everyone.

  3. What did you notice Jesus said about following him? Did he say it would be easy or did he say something else?

    Example: Jesus said that if someone wants to follow him, they have to take up their cross every day. That sounds like it might be hard sometimes.

  4. Why do you think it was important for Jesus to hear what his own friends believed about him?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted to know if his friends really knew him and trusted him. It matters what your close friends think about you because they know you best.

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 really knows you and believes in you, like your family or your best friend?

    Example: It feels really good and warm inside, like I am safe and happy. I feel brave when my mom believes I can do something hard.

  2. If a friend at school asked you who Jesus is, what would you tell them?

    Example: I would tell them that Jesus is God's Son and he loves us so much. He is my friend and he helps me when I am scared or sad.

  3. This week, what is one way you can show Jesus that you want to follow him every day?

    Example: I can say my prayers before bed and try to be kind to my little brother even when he bugs me. That would show Jesus I love him.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus asked his friends the most important question: Who do you say that I am? Peter answered that Jesus is the Christ, the one God promised to send. Jesus invites us to follow him every day. We can tell others who Jesus is to us, just like Peter did.

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 children who do not yet know Jesus, that someone will share his love with them, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for being our Savior and our friend. Help us to follow you every day and 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

Who Is Jesus?

Luke 9:18-24

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Peter
  • Christ
  • follow
  • question
  • friend
  • Savior
  • believe
  • love
  • daily
  • answer
  • trust

ChildrensLiturgy.org