Children's Liturgy Guide

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Running the Race with Jesus

Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

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

Today's reading tells us that many people who loved God are cheering for us, like a big crowd at a race. We can keep going and not give up because Jesus went first and showed us the way.

Key Points

  • We are surrounded by people who loved God before us, like a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on
  • We should keep our eyes on Jesus, who shows us how to love God
  • Jesus never gave up, even when things were very hard
  • When we feel tired or want to give up doing good, we can remember Jesus and keep going

Background

This passage uses athletic imagery familiar to the original audience: a stadium filled with spectators watching runners compete. The 'cloud of witnesses' refers to the faithful figures from Hebrews 11 (Abel, Abraham, Moses, etc.) who persevered in faith. The author exhorts readers to 'run with perseverance' by fixing their eyes on Jesus, 'the pioneer and perfecter of faith,' who endured the cross. The theological depth here concerns Christ's redemptive suffering and our participation in His example through patient endurance. For children, emphasize the concrete image of a race with people cheering, and the simple idea that Jesus helps us keep going when we want to give up. Set aside the deeper theology of atonement and the specific reference to Christ's crucifixion shame.

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 all the people who love You and cheer for us. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and never give up doing good things. 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 in a race or done something hard where people cheered for you? What did it feel like to hear them cheering?

Example: One time I ran in a race at school and my mom and dad were yelling my name and clapping. It made me feel so happy and I ran faster because they believed in me.

Bridge to the reading: That feeling of people cheering for you is so wonderful. In today's reading, we will hear that God's friends are like a big crowd cheering for us as we try to follow Jesus.

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. The reading talks about a 'great cloud' around us. What is this cloud made of?

    Example: The cloud is made of witnesses, which means people who loved God and are now cheering for us from heaven.

  2. What does the reading tell us to do, like people running in a race?

    Example: It tells us to run the race that is set before us and to keep going and not give up.

  3. Who does the reading say we should keep looking at while we run?

    Example: We should keep our eyes on Jesus because He is the one who shows us how to have faith.

  4. Why do you think looking at Jesus helps us keep going when things are hard?

    Example: Because Jesus never gave up even when things were really hard for Him, so He can help us be strong too.

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 you want to give up on something hard, like learning to tie your shoes or cleaning your room?

    Example: It feels so frustrating and I just want to stop. Sometimes I feel tired and sad because it seems too hard.

  2. What could you do to remember Jesus is cheering for you when you feel like giving up?

    Example: I could say a little prayer and ask Jesus to help me, or I could think about how He never gave up.

  3. This week, who is someone you could cheer for when they are doing something hard?

    Example: I could cheer for my little brother when he is learning to ride his bike and tell him he can do it.

Recap

Today we heard that we are like runners in a race, and a big cloud of God's friends is cheering for us. Most importantly, Jesus ran the race first and never gave up. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He helps us keep going even when things are hard.

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 like giving up when something is hard, that they may remember Jesus is cheering for 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 showing us how to never give up. Help us to run our race with love and to keep our eyes on 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

Running the Race with Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-4

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • race
  • run
  • cheer
  • faith
  • cloud
  • witness
  • eyes
  • heart
  • strong
  • love
  • hope

ChildrensLiturgy.org