Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
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Jesus is present in Sacred Scripture. Make a special place of honor for your family Bible…In Luke’s gospel, Jesus read from the Scriptures and commented on its meaning. This was the usual tradition at a synagogue service. What made this service unique was the commentary of Jesus. One line. What the audience heard from the prophet of Isaiah was fulfilled.
Family Bible reading and sharing is important. (You would not be reading this if you did not agree.)
Re-enforce the point with a prayer corner that highlights the Bible.
- Set candles and flowers around pictures of Jesus and a Bible.
- Use a small book holder to hold the Bible and to highlight the prayer corner.
Dedicate the prayer corner by sharing Luke 4:21-30 with your family and by praising God for the gift of his Son.
Mr Potato Head illustrates 1 Corinthians 12 12-27 in this bible stories for kids. Help start discussion with children about being a part of the body of Christ.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Catechist Background and Preparation
Sacred Scripture
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
Draw an image of a body. Above the ‘body’ write the words: ONE BODY IN CHRIST.
Write the word, Jesus, where the ‘head’ is; then write the names of Christian churches that the children would know in various parts of the body. (For example: Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, etc.)
Talk about what we have in common: We believe in one God; in Jesus his only Son; Jesus died for us; Jesus offers us forgiveness and place with him in heaven; we believe a person needs to pray, be a good moral person and care for the poor and underserved of the world.
Objects suggested: None
EXCERPT: Even though the “Hokey Pokey” is kind of silly, it is a good picture of the parts that make up the church. The Bible says, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ ”
Every person is an important part of the church, just like every body part is important to the whole body. Together, we make up what is called the “Body of Christ.” We each have special gifts that are important to God and His church. Some of us have been given the gift to be a pastor or teacher, while others have been given the gift of healing, helping others, or leading people. Maybe you have the gift of being creative, being a great listener, or something totally different.
Scripture Reference: Luke 4:14-31
Suggested Emphasis: Encourage those who preach the word of God.
Objects suggested: Wedding ring, letter in envelope ready for mailing, credit card
EXCERPT: People make promises every day. Sometimes we give something to another person as a sign of our promise, sometimes we sign our name to seal our promise, other times we just give our word to another person that we will do something.
I’m sure you have all seen a ring like this. (Show the wedding ring.) When a man and woman get married, they usually make promises to one another. They say something like, “I promise to love you for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as we both shall live.” Then they exchange rings as a symbol of that promise.
Objects suggested: Canned peaches, jar of peanut butter, box of oatmeal. Cover other food containers with white paper and label them with the words, Kindness, Anger, Enthusiasm, Curiosity, Music, Art, Stories, God’s Love. (The container labeled God’s Love should be the largest.)
ECERPT: We can be filled with many things. When we eat we may fill our stomachs with peaches, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, carrots, or ice cream. (Show examples of food items.) What are some of the things you like to eat?
We can also fill our hearts and minds with thoughts and feelings. This may be a more difficult idea, but here are some suggestions to think about. (Show labeled containers as suggested above when each idea is presented.) We can be filled with anger that causes us to be hurtful to others or ourselves. We can be filled with kindness that causes us to help others and be kind to ourselves as well.
Objects suggested: Picture of Clydesdale horse
EXCERPT: Clydesdale horses are used to pull heavy loads such as logs and large wagons. They also pull heavy equipment used to plough fields. Now, for work such as this, horses have mostly been replaced by powerful tractors. There are many ways to be powerful in this world. To be powerful means that you have the strength and energy to make things happen. You may be strong in your body and you may be smart – strong in your mind.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was filled with “the power of the Spirit” (4:14). He made things happen because he was filled with God’s Spirit of Love. He taught others about God, he performed miracles and healed those who were sick. When we study his life we find that he was truly filled with power that came from God.
The Attentive Lion tells the story of a young lion named Leo who lives in Africa with his family and friends. Rose and Crown are two of his good friends who he loves to play with. However, Leo has a difficult time paying attention to his friends when they tell him things, such as how to get to the magical flowers at the top of the mountain. Throughout the story, Rose and Crown help Leo listen and be attentive to important instructions.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.
Head, Body, Legs, by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert, is an old Liberian tale about how all the parts of the human body came together. It starts with just a head which adds parts in order to do things it could not do on its own.
With younger children flip through Here Are My Hands, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. Each page includes a short sentence that goes “Here are my…for…” and a drawing of that part of the body doing what the words say. The last page is “And here is my skin that bundles me in.”
Opening Question: When you feel low, what brings your spirits back up? How can you help bring the spirits of others back up?
In the story for the first reading, Johnny felt down until a friend invited him to play tag football. In the first reading, Nehemiah invited the people to turn from their depression and celebrate their life as God’s people.
Why? Because their grandfathers and grandmothers were taken away by invaders; their city was burnt to the ground. But they returned. They tears were for their ancestors’ sins and the city they were rebuilding.
But, like Brandon, Ezra told the people to party, because they were home and the city would be great again. That’s the way God wants it.
Bridging Question: Many students have to give oral reports in class. Have you ever given an oral report? Did you like it? Why or why not?
In the story for the gospel, Sally had to recite her favorite poem to her class, then explain why it was her favorite. Sally’s explanation was brief, but to the point, just like the teaching Jesus gave to the people in his hometown.
When Jesus said that the Scripture was coming true, he meant that he was the one who God filled with the Spirit, he was the one to tell the poor people the Good News, he was the one heal others and free them from their sins, he was the one to announce a time of God’s blessing. Jesus was God’s messenger, his Son. What Jesus said was short, and the people got his message. Next week, we will find out if they liked what they heard or not.
Closing Question: How can you speak plainly to others? How can you help others forget about past hurts?
The Jerusalem Bible is used for Mass in majority of English-speaking world outside U.S./ Canada.
The New Revised Common Lectionary (Catholic Edition) is used in Canada.
These links are provided for other faiths who do NOT use the Catholic lectionary, but rather use the Revised Common Lectionary.
Lessons are prepared by Kristin Schmidt, who serves at the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO.
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