Children's Liturgy Guide

Most Holy Trinity

Year C · Ordinary Time

God's Joyful Helper

Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31

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, we hear about Wisdom, who was with God from the very beginning, even before the world was made. Wisdom helped God create everything and was so happy to be with God, delighting in the world and in all the people God made.

Key Points

  • God has always existed, and Wisdom was with God before anything else was created
  • Wisdom was like a joyful helper beside God when the world was made
  • God takes great delight in people and in creation
  • This reading helps us understand that God is never alone, which points us toward the mystery of the Trinity

Background

This passage personifies Wisdom as present with God before creation, rejoicing as God creates the world. In Catholic tradition, this Wisdom figure is often read as pointing toward the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, who was 'with God in the beginning' (John 1:1). The passage emphasizes relationship within God: Wisdom is 'beside' God as a 'master craftsman,' delighting in God's presence and in humanity. The key theological point is that God is relational, joyful, and creative, not solitary. For children, emphasize the image of Wisdom as God's happy helper who was there when God made the mountains, the seas, and especially people, and who loves being with God and with us. Set aside the abstract Trinitarian theology and focus on the concrete images of creation and joy.

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 making the beautiful world and for always being with us. Help us to feel your joy and to know how much you love 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 helped someone make something special, like baking cookies with a grown-up or building something together? How did it feel to work together?

Example: I helped my grandma make a cake for my mom's birthday and it was so fun because we got to mix everything together and I put the sprinkles on top.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good to make something special with someone you love! In today's reading, we will hear about Wisdom, who was with God from the very beginning and helped God make the whole world, including the mountains, the oceans, and even us.

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 was with God at the very beginning, before anything was made?

    Example: Wisdom was with God at the very beginning, before the mountains and the oceans and everything else was made.

  2. What are some things the reading tells us God made?

    Example: The reading says God made the mountains and the sky and the seas and the earth and lots of other things too.

  3. How did Wisdom feel when God was creating the world?

    Example: Wisdom was very happy and full of joy, like playing and dancing, because Wisdom loved being with God so much.

  4. Who does the reading say Wisdom delights in, or loves being with?

    Example: The reading says Wisdom delights in people, which means Wisdom loves being with us and is happy we are here.

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 make you feel to know that God was happy when he made you?

    Example: It makes me feel really special and loved because God wanted me to be here and he was so happy about it.

  2. When you help someone at home or at school, how can you be joyful like Wisdom was with God?

    Example: I can smile and be happy while I am helping instead of grumpy, and I can be glad to be with the person I am helping.

  3. This week, who could you invite to play or work on something together so they feel happy like Wisdom felt with God?

    Example: I could ask my little brother to help me build something with blocks because he really likes when I play with him.

Recap

Today we heard about Wisdom, who was with God from the very beginning. Wisdom was like God's joyful helper when God made the mountains, the seas, and all the people in the world. Wisdom loved being with God and was so happy about all of us. This helps us know that God is full of love and joy, and God delights in each one of us.

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 feel lonely, that they may know God delights in them and is always with them, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for creating us and for being so happy that we are here. Help us to share your joy 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

God's Joyful Helper

Proverbs 8:22-31

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.

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

Words to find

  • Wisdom
  • God
  • create
  • joy
  • delight
  • world
  • love
  • helper
  • mountains
  • people
  • happy
  • together

ChildrensLiturgy.org