Children's Liturgy Guide

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

God Loves a Humble Heart

Reading: Luke 18:9-14

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 told a story about two men who prayed in the Temple. One man bragged about how good he was, but the other man knew he needed God's help and asked for mercy. Jesus said God was happy with the humble man who asked for help.

Key Points

  • God wants us to be humble, not proud or boastful when we pray
  • The tax collector knew he needed God's help and asked for mercy
  • Humble prayer means talking to God honestly about who we really are
  • God listens especially to people who know they need Him

Background

This parable contrasts the self-righteous Pharisee with the repentant tax collector. The Pharisee's prayer is essentially self-congratulation disguised as thanksgiving, while the tax collector's prayer ('God, be merciful to me, a sinner') is the model of humble petition. Theologically, this passage teaches that justification comes through God's mercy, not human merit. The Greek word for 'justified' (dikaioo) indicates being made right with God. For children, emphasize that God loves when we talk to Him honestly and ask for help, rather than showing off. Set aside the theological concept of justification and the historical context of Pharisees and tax collectors as social groups.

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 always listening when we talk to You. Help us to come to You with honest hearts, knowing that You love us and want to help us. 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 seen someone show off or brag about something they did? How did that make you feel?

Example: One time a kid at school kept saying he was the best at drawing and that everyone else was bad. It made me feel a little sad and annoyed because he was not being nice about it.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes people like to brag and act like they are better than everyone else. In today's story, Jesus tells us about two men who talked to God very differently, and He shows us which way God likes best.

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 did the two men in Jesus's story go to pray?

    Example: The two men went to the Temple to pray. That was the special place where people went to talk to God and worship Him.

  2. What did the first man, the Pharisee, say in his prayer?

    Example: The Pharisee said thank you that he was not like other people who do bad things. He talked about all the good things he did, like giving money and not eating sometimes.

  3. What did the tax collector do and say when he prayed?

    Example: The tax collector stood far away and would not even look up to heaven. He beat his chest and asked God to please be merciful to him because he was a sinner.

  4. Why do you think Jesus said God was happy with the tax collector's prayer?

    Example: I think God was happy because the tax collector was being honest and he really meant it. He knew he needed help from God and he was not showing off or bragging.

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 need to say sorry or ask someone for help?

    Example: Sometimes it feels a little scary or hard to ask for help because I am worried someone might be mad at me. But then I feel better after I ask.

  2. When you talk to God, how can you be like the humble tax collector instead of showing off?

    Example: I can tell God the truth about how I really feel and ask Him to help me be better. I do not have to pretend I am perfect because God already knows me.

  3. This week, when is one time you could ask God for help with something?

    Example: I could ask God to help me be patient with my little brother when he takes my toys. I could pray before I get mad so God can help me stay calm.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about two men who prayed. One man bragged about how great he was, but the other man humbly asked God for help. Jesus taught us that God loves when we come to Him with honest hearts, knowing we need Him.

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 children who find it hard to say sorry or ask for help, that God may give them courage to be honest and humble, 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.

Just before receiving Communion, we pray words very similar to the tax collector: 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' Like the tax collector, we humbly ask God for help.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank You for always being ready to help us when we ask. Help us to be humble and honest when we pray to You. May we always remember that You love us just as we are. 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

God Loves a Humble Heart

Luke 18:9-14

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.

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

Words to find

  • humble
  • prayer
  • Temple
  • mercy
  • honest
  • heart
  • Jesus
  • forgive
  • God
  • help
  • love
  • sorry

ChildrensLiturgy.org