Children's Liturgy Guide

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Using What We Have for God

Reading: Luke 16:1-13

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 tells a story about a helper who had to make a choice about how to use the things his boss gave him. Jesus teaches us that we should be trustworthy with everything we have, even small things, because everything really belongs to God.

Key Points

  • Being faithful with small things shows we can be trusted with bigger things
  • Everything we have is a gift from God to use wisely
  • We cannot love money or things more than we love God
  • God wants us to be honest and trustworthy helpers

Background

This parable is challenging even for adults. The steward is commended not for dishonesty but for his shrewdness in preparing for the future. Jesus uses this surprising story to make a point about using worldly resources for eternal purposes. The key verse for children is verse 10: 'Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.' The contrast between serving God and serving wealth (v. 13) is also accessible. For children, emphasize that being a good helper with small things, like sharing toys or taking care of our belongings, shows God we can be trusted. Set aside the complexities of the steward's actual actions and the economic context of debt reduction.

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 giving us so many good things, like our families, our toys, and our friends. Help us to take good care of everything You give us and to be helpers we can trust. 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 take care of something special, like a pet, a plant, or a younger brother or sister? What did you do to take good care of it?

Example: My mom asked me to water her flowers when she was busy, and I had to remember every day to give them a little drink so they would not get droopy.

Bridge to the reading: It feels good when someone trusts us to take care of something important, does it not? In today's reading, Jesus talks about being a good helper and taking care of the things we are given, even the little things.

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. In the story Jesus told, who had a helper that needed to make some choices?

    Example: There was a rich man who had a helper, and the helper was in charge of taking care of the rich man's things and money.

  2. What did Jesus say about someone who is faithful with small things?

    Example: Jesus said that if you are good and careful with little things, then you will also be good and careful with big things too.

  3. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. What were the two things He said we have to choose between?

    Example: Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money at the same time, so we have to pick which one we love more.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wants us to be trustworthy even with small things?

    Example: I think it is because if we practice being good helpers with little stuff, God knows He can give us more important jobs to do later.

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 inside when someone trusts you to do an important job all by yourself?

    Example: It makes me feel really proud and happy, like I am a big kid, and I want to do a really good job so they will trust me again.

  2. What is one small thing at home or school that you could take extra good care of this week?

    Example: I could make sure I put my crayons back in the box and not lose them, and I could keep my desk nice and clean at school.

  3. How can we show God that we love Him more than our toys or treats?

    Example: We can share our toys with our friends and not get too upset if something breaks, because God is more important than stuff.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach us that being a good and trustworthy helper matters, even with small things. When we take care of our toys, share with others, and do little jobs well, we show God that He can trust us. Jesus reminds us that loving God is more important than loving our stuff.

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 everywhere who are learning to be good helpers at home and at school, that God will give them strength to be trustworthy, 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 teaching us that little things matter to You. Help us to be good helpers this week with everything we have. May we always love You more than anything else. 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

Using What We Have for God

Luke 16:1-13

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

Words to find

  • faithful
  • trust
  • helper
  • serve
  • God
  • honest
  • share
  • care
  • Jesus
  • steward
  • master
  • gift

ChildrensLiturgy.org