Children's Liturgy Guide

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Jesus Sends His Helpers

Reading: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

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 chose seventy-two people and sent them out in pairs to tell others about God's love. He told them to bring peace to every home they visited. When they came back, they were so happy because amazing things happened through God's power.

Key Points

  • Jesus chose helpers and sent them out two by two to prepare the way for him
  • The helpers were told to bring peace to the homes they visited
  • Jesus reminded his helpers that the most important thing is that their names are written in heaven
  • We can be helpers for Jesus by sharing God's peace and love with others

Background

This passage describes Jesus commissioning the seventy-two disciples for mission work. The number seventy-two may symbolize the nations of the world, suggesting the universal scope of Jesus' mission. The instructions about traveling light and offering peace reflect the urgency and dependence on God required for authentic evangelization. When the disciples return rejoicing about their power over demons, Jesus redirects their joy toward what truly matters: their relationship with God and their place in the Kingdom. For children, emphasize the simple act of being sent as a helper and bringing peace to others. Set aside the deeper theological elements about judgment on towns that reject the message and the disciples' authority over evil spirits.

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 choosing helpers to share your love and peace. Help us to be your helpers too, bringing kindness and peace wherever we go. 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 asked to help someone with an important job? What did you do?

Example: One time my mom asked me to help carry the groceries inside the house, and I felt really proud because she trusted me to help her with that big job.

Bridge to the reading: It feels special when someone trusts us with an important job. In today's reading, we will hear about how Jesus picked many helpers and gave them a very important job: to go and share God's peace with everyone they met.

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. How many helpers did Jesus choose to send out?

    Example: Jesus chose seventy-two helpers to go out and tell people about God and get ready for Jesus to come.

  2. Jesus told his helpers to go in pairs. Why do you think he sent them two by two instead of alone?

    Example: I think Jesus sent them together so they would not be scared or lonely, and they could help each other if something was hard.

  3. What did Jesus tell his helpers to say when they went into a house?

    Example: Jesus told them to say peace to the house, which is like saying they hope good and happy things for the people living there.

  4. When the helpers came back to Jesus, they were very happy. What did Jesus say was the most important thing to be happy about?

    Example: Jesus said the most important thing was that their names are written in heaven, which means God knows them and loves them forever.

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 asks you to help them with something important?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and proud inside because they think I can do it and they trust me to help them.

  2. Jesus told his helpers to bring peace to every home. What is one way you could bring peace to your family at home?

    Example: I could be nice to my little brother and share my toys with him instead of fighting or getting mad at him.

  3. This week, who is one person you could be a helper for Jesus to, by being kind and peaceful?

    Example: I could be kind and peaceful to the new kid in my class who does not have many friends yet and sit with them at lunch.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus chose seventy-two helpers and sent them out two by two to bring peace to everyone they met. Jesus wants us to be his helpers too. We can share God's peace and love with the people around us, and the most wonderful thing is that God knows our names and loves us forever.

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 feel left out or lonely, that they may feel the peace and love of Jesus through the kindness of others, 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 says 'Peace be with you' and we share the sign of peace at Mass, we are doing exactly what Jesus told his helpers to do: bringing peace to one another.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for showing us how to be your helpers. Help us to bring your peace to everyone we meet this week. May we always remember that you know us and love us. 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 Sends His Helpers

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • helpers
  • peace
  • seventy
  • two
  • sent
  • joy
  • heaven
  • homes
  • lambs
  • harvest
  • pairs

ChildrensLiturgy.org