Children's Liturgy Guide

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

A Little Seed of Faith

Reading: Luke 17:5-10

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

The apostles asked Jesus to give them more faith. Jesus told them that even faith as tiny as a mustard seed can do amazing things. He wants us to trust Him and do good things without expecting a reward.

Key Points

  • The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith
  • Jesus used the example of a tiny mustard seed to show that even small faith is powerful
  • Faith means trusting in Jesus even when things are hard
  • We serve God because we love Him, not to get rewards

Background

In this passage, Jesus responds to the apostles' request for more faith with a striking image: faith the size of a mustard seed could uproot a mulberry tree. The mustard seed was proverbially the smallest seed known to His listeners. Jesus is teaching that the quality and object of faith matters more than its quantity. The second half of the reading, about the servant doing his duty, teaches that faithful service to God should flow from love and gratitude, not from expectation of reward or praise. This connects to the Catholic understanding of grace: we do not earn God's love through works, but respond to it. For children, emphasize the mustard seed image and the idea that even small trust in Jesus can grow and do wonderful things. Set aside the more complex servant parable, which involves cultural dynamics that may confuse young children.

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 loving us and being with us today. Please help our faith to grow bigger and stronger, like a tiny seed growing into a big plant. 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 planted a seed and watched it grow? What happened to it?

Example: Yes, I planted a bean seed in a cup at school and it grew really tall with leaves and everything, and I got to take it home!

Bridge to the reading: You saw how something so tiny, like a little seed, can grow into something big and amazing. In today's reading, Jesus talks about a very tiny seed called a mustard seed to teach His friends something important about trusting in Him.

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 did the apostles ask Jesus to do for them?

    Example: The apostles asked Jesus to give them more faith, they wanted to trust Him more and believe better.

  2. What tiny thing did Jesus talk about to teach them?

    Example: Jesus talked about a mustard seed, which is a really really tiny seed, one of the smallest seeds there is.

  3. What did Jesus say faith the size of a mustard seed could do?

    Example: Jesus said that even tiny faith like a mustard seed could tell a big tree to move and it would obey.

  4. Why do you think Jesus used something so small to talk about faith?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted to show that even a little bit of faith is really powerful and can do big things.

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 trust someone, like your mom or dad, to catch you or help you?

    Example: It feels really good and safe because I know they love me and they will not let me fall down.

  2. What is one way you can show you trust Jesus, even if it feels hard?

    Example: I can pray to Jesus when I am scared at night and trust that He is listening and taking care of me.

  3. This week, when could you do something kind without expecting anything back?

    Example: I could help my little brother clean up his toys just because I love him, not because I want something.

Recap

Today we heard how the apostles asked Jesus to give them more faith. Jesus told them that even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed can do wonderful, amazing things. Jesus wants us to trust Him, even just a little bit, and that trust can grow and grow.

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 all the children who are learning to trust Jesus more each day, that their faith may grow strong, 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 we pray the Creed at Mass, we say 'I believe' many times. This is us using our faith, just like the apostles were learning to trust Jesus more.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us about faith today. Help our small faith to grow bigger and stronger every day. May we always trust in You and serve others with love. 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

A Little Seed of Faith

Luke 17:5-10

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.

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

Words to find

  • faith
  • seed
  • mustard
  • trust
  • Jesus
  • apostles
  • grow
  • small
  • tree
  • believe
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org