Children
Children – 2nd Sunday Lent (B)
Updated every Wednesday – Children PDF handouts, videos, scripts, activities, “Virtue of the Week”, reflections on the Sunday readings
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HANDOUTSVIDEOSSCRIPTSACTIVITIESVIRTUESERMONS
Kim Scott is Director of Family Faith Formation at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, California. - WATCH VIDEO
Kids’ Bulletin
Click on image to go to this week's THE KID'S BULLETIN.
Word Search
Click on image to download Word Search activity handout. CATHOLIC MOM is a ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries offering children's handouts of Gospel Reading, a coloring page, lesson plans, Mass Worksheets for ages 7-10 and 11-14, Word Search, and Crossword puzzle.
Worksheet
The S.D.C., a Catholic Society in the UK, provides worksheets for use in Sunday Liturgy groups for children.
Crossword
Click image below to view all handouts from Sermons4Kids
Catholic Kids
Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus Transfigured! Lent 2B
Every Wednesday Isabella D’Angelo releases a new video on her YouTube channel “Catholic Kids Media” that illustrates the meaning of the readings along with a reflection. The 21-year-old Catholic evangelist understands the importance of adhering to truth and faith, especially when addressing young impressionable children. She said her goal is to help children understand that Jesus is a real person with unique character traits, with whom they can have a real relationship. READ MORE
Primary Grades
The Transfiguration I Animated Bible Story For Children| HolyTales Bible Stories
Intermediate
The Story of the Transfiguration - with LEGO!
Junior High
Jesus' Transfiguration (Jesus Film)
High School
The Greatest Story Ever Told: Satan trying to tempt Jesus
Click on image above to play video.
Holy Heroes
Role Play
Each week the Holy Heroes perform some kind of script, either through role playing, coloring, or puppets, etc. Watch the video with your students and then have them perform their own skits. GO TO LESSONWord Sunday
The GIfts God Gives
Catechists may adapt these stories to use as skits for their students (i.e. class reads story out loud, and then have a group of students act the story out afterwards using their own words based on what they can remember).
In the story for the second reading, St. Paul was presented as a changed man. He realized the love of God would not allow any opposition. If God was with us, who could be against us?In the story for the gospel, Peter walked up a mountain with his friends, only to be caught in a thunder storm. But, for a moment, he had a "WOW" experience, one not unlike the followers of Jesus had on the mountain. READ STORIES
SOURCE: Larry Broding at Word-Sunday.com (Copyright 1999-2017).
Church Skits
Isaac is Born
Catechists may adapt this skits to match the needs and age level of students (i.e. use only a small portion of the skit).Here is a preview:
Each week Kristin Schmidt offers two videos on the upcoming Sunday readings. You will find one of them here. To view the other, and to access lesson plans and activities, go to Ministry-To-Children website. Click on image above to play video.
Ministry-To-Children
The Transfiguration of Christ
Is our trust in the right thing? The Transfiguration is a remarkable Biblical event, and one that can be emphasized for various reasons. In this message, focus on the importance of how Jesus revealed to His disciples who He was, as they heard God's voice affirm Him. Through that, discuss with children how we can have faith to know that Jesus is Lord, and we can hope in Him with all our hearts.
Our Sunday Visitor
Family Activites
- The transfiguration is a manifestation of God. After reflecting on that statement, share your thoughts on these questions: Can you name a moment in your life when you felt God was present to you? What effect did that experience have on your life?
- Share with your child stores of how your faith in Jesus has helped you. Assure your child of your love for him or her. Let your child know that he or she can always count on your love and on the love of Jesus.
- Go on a treasure hunt. See how many places you can find signs of Jesus' presence.
- Use the responsorial prayer for this week as your family prayer: "I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living."
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor
Classroom Activities
RCL Benzinger
Primary Grades
Drawing Activity: To begin, invite the children to use their fingers to remind them of what they can do to live in God’s love this Lent. Provide blank sheets of paper and crayons and invite the children to trace one of their hands onto the paper. Explain that their thumb can remind them to pray each day. Have the children write “pray” on the outline of their thumb. The index finger can remind them to help people at home or in school. Have them write “help” on the outline of their index finger. The middle finger can remind them to share their talents. Have them write “share” on the index finger. The ring finger can remind them to give to people who are less fortunate then we are. Have them write “give” on their ring finger. And finally the littlest finger can remind them to care for themselves as beloved children of God. Have them write “care” on the littlest finger. Hold up a competed sample for the children to see.
READ MOREIntermediate Grades
Drawing Activity: To begin, provide markers and a blank envelope for each child. Explain to the children that their envelope can be used to help them share God’s love with others this Lent. Suggest the following two options: 1. The children can take money that would be spent on something that they want and put that money in their envelope during the weeks of Lent. Then the money can be given to a charity. 2. The children can write a special prayer for someone in need each week of Lent. The prayers can be written on small sheets of notepaper and placed in their envelopes each week. Invite the children to decorate their envelopes with markers and write “My Lenten Offering” on the front.
READ MOREJunior High
Craft Activity: For today’s session provide 2” and 1 1⁄2” nails or small twigs, and thin picture hanging wire, or yarn. Explain to the young people that the season of Lent is a time of sacrifice and growth. Invite each young person to make a cross of nails, or twigs, as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. Take the nails or twigs and lay the two pieces on top of each other. Bind the cross together by tightly wrapping the wire (if using nails) or yarn (if using twigs) around the two pieces. Discuss:
READ MORESOURCE: RCL Benziger
Loyola Press
Jesus is transfigured on the mountain
Reflection Questions for Grades 1-3, 4-6, and 7-8 which help connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.Below you will find only the beginning part of each grade level's "Sunday Connection" activity. Follow link above to view entire lessons.
CAFOD
Jesus went up a mountain
- Ask the children to colour the accompanying picture of Jesus being transformed (cafod.org.uk/childrensliturgy).
- Give them some card and ask them to cut out a cloud shape, or prepare some in advance. Share the story below with the children or watch the Lent film on our website and ask them how Abdul and Mohammed’s lives could be changed for the better.
- Now ask them to write or draw how they could help change the lives of children like these during Lent, (give things up, pray) or how they can change themselves. They can write or draw their ideas on their cloud and decorate it with bright colours to make it dazzling and bright, like Jesus was on the top of the mountain
- Ask the children to write a prayer about little ways we can help make a brighter future for all the world. They can use lots of words like “light, bright, shining” etc. Ask them to say this prayer at home with their family during the next week.
- For older children, print copies of the ‘One page primary calendar’ from cafod.org.uk/primary/lent or circulate the link to parents. Ask them to think about their actions in the coming week, and how they follow Jesus’s example in the things that they do. If they started the “Water Droplet” trail last week, ask them if they have spotted any other droplets in nearby windows.
- Ask the children to tell their family all that they have heard and thought about today and all the sounds that they heard when they really listened. Ask them to spend five minutes every day this week sitting quietly and still, listening to the sounds around them and praying and listening to God.
Resources including a film can be found at Lent resources for primary schools. DOWNLOAD LESSON (.docx) -
SOURCE: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (UK)
TIME (9:38): A video related to this week's "Book of the Week" "
Book of the Week
Horton Hatches the Egg
This book is classic in many ways, but for our purposes it gives parents and teachers alike the opportunity to teach and illustrate the importance of being trustworthy, faithful, and hardworking. The story also allows the listener to recognize that there will be difficulties encountered when being faithful.
Fidelity/Faithfulness
Fidelity is one’s devotion to a person or cause to the degree that they will exert great efforts to that person or cause.
First Reading
In today’s reading, Isaac is about thirteen years of age, and Abraham is advanced in age when a test from God comes to him regarding the offering of his son Isaac. This is not the first time Abraham’s faith was tested; however, it is the ultimate test that God places before Abraham’s fidelity. The reading gives us no indication of any inner struggle that Abraham may have been having with this request to offer his son up to God. Abraham is presented as unwavering in his trust and duty to follow God’s command. For his unconditional obedience and faithfulness to God, Isaac was spared and Abraham was abundantly rewarded with countless descendants and blessings. For this reason, Abraham is one of the greatest role models of faithfulness within the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions.CONTINUE READING
Second Reading
Today’s second reading is brief, but there is much contained in the few words offered. The context for this passage is that the Christians in Rome are being persecuted, and Saint Paul writes to them to assure them of the fidelity and faithfulness of God. Saint Paul offers the example of God’s sacrifice of his own son for our salvation as ultimate proof of God’s fidelity and love.CONTINUE READING
Gospel
The Second Sunday of Lent always provides the story of the Transfiguration from one of the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). This event occurs directly after Jesus’ first prediction of his passion. One of the most notable features of the Transfiguration event is the presence of God’s voice in the narrative. Recall that God speaks directly only twice in the New Testament: at Jesus’ baptism by John and at the Transfiguration of Jesus. Both times, God identifies Jesus as his beloved Son. At his baptism, we hear the additional words, with whom I am well pleased, and at the Transfiguration, we hear the words, Listen to him. In both instances, we see the unique faith, trust, and relationship between Jesus and the Father. There is a radical and irreversible faithfulness present .CONTINUE READING
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; "Build. Plant. Grow." = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
Catholic Kids Bulletin
Teacher and mom, THERESA, creates Kids’ Bulletins, a resource for Catholic kids about the readings for Sunday's Mass every week. More resources from Theresa can be found at Teachers Pay Teachers website. Click on image/text to download entire bulletin for your children.
Sermon Writer
The children's sermon excerpts below are linked to Sermon Writer, which was operated by Niell Donavan, a United Christ clergyman from 1997 until his death in 2020. His wife Dale is graciously keeping his website online FREE, subscription no longer required. As Catholic Catechists, be sure to adapt if necessary before presenting to children.
FOCUS: GOSPEL
Can’t Believe Your Eyes
Have you ever seen something so surprising, so beautiful, or so exciting that you could hardly believe your eyes? Sometimes rainbows form as double rainbows that arch across the sky. The glistening colors are so dazzling that you must run to get someone to look at it with you. Perhaps you are looking out a window on a stormy night and see lightening zip across the sky. Your mom or dad may say, “Yes, I saw that too.” Maybe you have seen the Grand Canyon, a tall tree like a sequoia, or a skyscraper that seems to reach into the clouds. Objects that are very large make us question what we are seeing; we wonder if the object is really as big as it seems and we ask others to see what they think. When Jesus lived on earth he took three of his disciples and went to a high mountain to be apart from the crowds of people. While he was on the mountain a great change came over him and “his clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them” (9:3).
FOCUS: GOSPEL
What’s New?
Draw a large exclamation point on poster board or a blackboard, if available. I love learning new things. How about you? Doesn’t it seem exciting to learn something you didn’t know before? Have you ever thought about how you learn? You gather new information by using your senses. You see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. All of those ways of using your body give you clues about the world around you. When you talk, you are not gathering new information; you are only saying what you already know. It is when we listen that we learn. You may remember your teacher saying, “Listen!” The teacher is trying to get your attention so you can hear, and perhaps learn, something new. A coach may say, “Listen up!” The coach wants you to hear his suggestions and what the next play may be. The Bible helps us understand the importance of listening. Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, went to a high mountain where they were apart from other people. While they were there “a cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him'” (9:7).
FOCUS: GOSPEL
Transfiguration
(Note that this week’s sermon makes use of a visual aid, a sheet of paper labeled (depending upon its orientation) MOM or WOW.) I have a little test for you today – a reading test. I’m going to show you a word that I’m pretty sure some of you will know. Take a look quietly and put your finger on your nose if you can tell me what this word is…ready? (Reveal the paper, oriented to read “mom.” Solicit children’s answers.) That’s right – “mom.” M-O-M spells mom, but are you sure that’s what this word really says? What if I turn it over like this? (Turn paper over to orient the letters to read “wow.”) Hmm…You’re right – and “wow” is a good word to describe it too, because just by turning the paper in a different direction we have a whole different word. It’s the same paper – but we’re seeing it in whole new way. Something similar happens in this week’s Gospel lesson. Several of the disciples are walking with Jesus up a high mountain when all of a sudden they see him in a new and different way. His clothes suddenly become a dazzling white and they hear the voice of God explaining that “this is my Son.”
