Children's Liturgy Guide

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Living with God Forever

Reading: Luke 20:27-38

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

In today's reading, Jesus teaches that God loves us so much that we will live with Him forever. Jesus says that God is the God of people who are alive, not dead, because everyone is alive to God.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches that God's love for us continues forever, even after we die
  • God called Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing they are still alive with Him
  • Being part of God's family means we are alive to Him always
  • Heaven is being with God forever in a new and wonderful way

Background

This Gospel addresses the Sadducees' trick question about resurrection, using a hypothetical scenario about a woman married to seven brothers. Jesus sidesteps their trap by explaining that heavenly life transcends earthly categories like marriage. He then makes a powerful argument: God identified Himself to Moses as 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,' yet God is God of the living, not the dead. Therefore, the patriarchs must still be alive to God. This affirms bodily resurrection and eternal life. For children, emphasize that God loves us so much we will live with Him forever, and that people who have died and loved God are still alive with Him. Set aside the complexities about marriage in heaven and the Sadducees' debate tactics.

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 loving us and for wanting us to be with You forever. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how much You care for 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 missed someone who was far away, like a grandparent or a friend who moved? How did it feel to know you would see them again someday?

Example: I miss my grandma because she lives really far away, but I know I will see her at Christmas and that makes me feel happy and excited.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good to know we will see people we love again. In today's reading, Jesus teaches us something wonderful about being with God forever, and how the people God loves are always alive to 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. Who came to ask Jesus a tricky question in today's reading?

    Example: Some people called Sadducees came to Jesus and they wanted to trick Him with a hard question about what happens after we die.

  2. What did Jesus say about God being the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

    Example: Jesus said that God is their God, and that means they are still alive because God is the God of living people, not dead people.

  3. What does Jesus want us to know about people who love God and die?

    Example: Jesus wants us to know that people who love God do not really die forever, they are still alive with God in heaven.

  4. Why do you think Jesus called God the God of the living?

    Example: I think Jesus said that because God keeps everyone alive who loves Him, and nobody is really gone when they are with God.

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 to know that God wants you to be with Him forever?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and safe, like God is giving me the biggest hug and will never let me go away.

  2. What could you tell a friend who is sad because someone they love has died?

    Example: I could tell them that Jesus says people who love God are still alive with Him, so we will see them again someday.

  3. This week, how can you thank God for His love that lasts forever?

    Example: I can say a prayer before bed and tell God thank You for loving me always and for letting me be with You forever.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach that God loves us so much that we will be with Him forever. Jesus said that God is the God of people who are alive, because everyone who loves God is alive to Him. This means that when people we love die, they are not gone forever. They are alive with God, and one day we will all be together with God in heaven.

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 miss someone in their family who has died, that they may feel God's love and hope, 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 God's love lasts forever. Help us to share this good news with everyone we meet this week. 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

Living with God Forever

Luke 20:27-38

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • God
  • alive
  • forever
  • heaven
  • love
  • Abraham
  • Isaac
  • Jacob
  • living
  • hope
  • family

ChildrensLiturgy.org