Children's Liturgy Guide

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Following Jesus Right Away

Reading: Luke 9:51-62

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 invited people to follow him, but some wanted to wait or do other things first. Jesus taught that following him is so important that we should not keep looking back at what we left behind.

Key Points

  • Jesus calls people to follow him on his journey
  • Some people made excuses about why they could not follow right away
  • Jesus teaches that following him means putting him first
  • When we decide to follow Jesus, we should keep moving forward with him

Background

This passage occurs as Jesus 'sets his face toward Jerusalem,' beginning his final journey to the cross. The three would-be followers each present obstacles: one offers to follow but perhaps does not count the cost; the second wants to bury his father first (possibly meaning 'wait until my father dies someday'); the third wants to say goodbye at home. Jesus's responses seem harsh but emphasize the urgency and totality of discipleship. The saying about the plough refers to the need for focus: a farmer looking backward ploughs crooked rows. Theologically, Jesus is not dismissing family duties but highlighting that the Kingdom of God demands ultimate priority. For children, emphasize the simple image of following Jesus without looking back, like walking forward with a friend. Set aside the complex family-duty tensions and the Samaritan rejection episode at the start of the passage.

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 inviting us to follow you. Help us to listen to your voice and to walk with you every day. 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 walking somewhere with someone and they kept stopping or looking back? What happened?

Example: One time my little brother kept turning around to look at a dog, and he almost bumped into a tree because he was not watching where he was going.

Bridge to the reading: When we keep looking back, it is hard to walk forward! In today's reading, Jesus invites people to follow him on a very important journey, and he teaches them about keeping their eyes on where they are going.

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. Where was Jesus going on his journey?

    Example: Jesus was going to Jerusalem, which was a very important city where something big was going to happen.

  2. What did some people say when Jesus asked them to follow him?

    Example: Some people said they wanted to do other things first, like say goodbye to their family or take care of things at home.

  3. What did Jesus say about someone who puts their hand on the plough and looks back?

    Example: Jesus said that if you are ploughing and you keep looking back, you are not ready for the Kingdom of God.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted people to follow him right away without waiting?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to know that following him was really important, and he did not want them to miss out on being with him.

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 do you think it feels when someone invites you to come with them on a special trip?

    Example: It feels really exciting because you get to go somewhere fun and be with someone who wants you there with them.

  2. What is something you could do to show Jesus that you want to follow him?

    Example: I could say my prayers every day and try to be kind to people, because that is what Jesus wants me to do.

  3. This week, when you are doing something good like helping at home, how can you keep going without giving up?

    Example: I can remember that Jesus is happy when I help, and I can think about finishing what I started instead of stopping to do something else.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus invited people to follow him on his journey. Some people wanted to wait or do other things first, but Jesus taught that following him is so important that we should keep looking forward and not look back. Jesus wants us to walk with him every day.

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 are learning to follow Jesus, that they may keep their hearts set on him each day, 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 calling us to follow you. Help us to keep walking with you and not look back. Give us brave hearts to stay close to you always. 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

Following Jesus Right Away

Luke 9:51-62

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • follow
  • journey
  • forward
  • plough
  • kingdom
  • walk
  • disciple
  • listen
  • Jerusalem
  • invite
  • heart

ChildrensLiturgy.org