Children Activities for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Gospel Reading, Sunday Coloring Page,Lesson Plans, Mass Worksheets, Crossword Puzzle, Word Search
THEMES: Dealing with rejection, Perseverance, and Trust in God
This gospel reading falls on the heels of last week’s. Jesus told the synagogue audience a prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled. Now the audience reacted. Who was this traveling preacher? Wasn’t he the son of a carpenter? (This was a “put down” since carpenters were really semi-skilled day laborers.) The skepticism grew to the point the audience grew into an angry mob ready to kill Jesus.
Luke’s gospel points out an obvious fact: some will believe, others will not. Those who believe will be happy. Those who do not will be angry. Emphasize this point with the “Happy-Mad Face” game.
Draw happy and mad faces on paper plates. Read Luke 4:15-30. As you read have your family hold up the happy face when Jesus talks. Have them hold up a mad face when the crowd reacts to his words.
At the end of the reading, ask your family if they want to throw away the happy face of Jesus, like the crowd did when they tried to kill him. Or, would they like to throw away the mad face of the crowd? (Throw away the plates with the mad faces and hold up the happy faces.)
End the game with prayer where your family accepts Jesus and his word.
KID’S BIBLE TIPS & CRAFTS (5:37)
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
Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High School
Our Identity as Prophets
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
As we read the list of love’s characteristics, we realize just how simple and yet challenging love is. Our society does not always reward us when we are patient, or even kind. In fact, it regularly says: Watch out for Number One; Don’t be taken advantage of; etc. By making icons of movie stars, sports heroes and musical artists, we see their power and fame as more often praised and sought after than love, care and truth.
Objects suggested: Picture of Del Ennis
EXCERPT: I doubt if any of you have ever heard of Del Ennis. He was a professional baseball player—and a very good one too. He played in the Major Leagues, and during his fourteen-year career, he hit 288 home runs. Seven times during his career he hit 25 or more home runs in a season.
Del Ennis played for his hometown Philadelphia Phillies. You would think that being such a good player and being a hometown boy would make Del Ennis very popular with the Philadelphia fans, but for some reason, it didn’t. During the eleven years that he played for the Phillies, the fans booed him every time he came up to bat. No matter what he did, it never seemed to be good enough. He never understood it. It didn’t make sense.
Objects suggested: None
EXCERPT: Do you ever feel like you’re just too young or too small to do something? Can anyone think of a time when you might have said, “I just can’t do it!” (Pause for responses.) We have all said that at one time or another. Maybe you said it when the coach asked you to play a new position for the first time, or while you were trying to do your homework. (Hold up textbook). We’ve all found ourselves feeling defeated, saying, “I just can’t do it.”
Our Bible lesson today is about a man named Jeremiah. One day, God spoke to Jeremiah and said, “Before you were even born, I chose you to be My prophet to all the nations.”
Objects suggested: Books, a newspaper, a crossword puzzle.
EXCERPT: Today let’s talk about words. It’s exciting when a baby begins to make sounds and tries to talk. The first words are usually “mama” or “dada.” If you have a little brother or sister in your home you probably have heard this. The baby is trying to communicate – make a connection with others.
As you grow older you begin to recognize words in printed form and soon you are reading. Wow, how exciting is that? Now the world of books is open to you and you can read wonderful stories, learn about animals, plants, mountains, rivers, and also learn about people who live in different parts of the world.
Objects suggested: Memento or picture of a well-known person specific to your area.
EXCERPT: Do you know of a famous person who grew up in your town? Perhaps there is a street named after that person or a museum that contains information about a well-known person from your area.
In my small town the famous person is a sea captain who sailed from the east coast of the United States, around the tip of South America, to the west coast of the United States. He settled on an island in Puget Sound and our small town is named after him.
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.
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
So begins Mem Fox’s joyful picture book, Whoever You Are, a celebration of the world’s diverse cultures and our similarities and differences. This book highlights the importance of recognizing what is always present in the hearts of all people and their experiences: Joy is the same, / love is the same. / Pain is the same, / and blood is the same. Regardless of where or how people live, each person is truly a precious child loved by God. It is clear that living in relationship with God and others is essential to having a full life.
DISCUSSION: Different Words for Love
CHRISPY PATTY (5:02)
STORYTIME LIBRARY (2:22)
Opening Question: Who do you know is really good at sports? At school?
In the story for the first reading, Jackie overcame self-rejection to become a star basketball player. All it took was a little encouragement from a coach. God encouraged a shy man named Jeremiah, who would become one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
Bridging Question: How do you feel when people don’t believe in you? How can you change their minds about you?
In the story for the gospel, Charlie was the class clown. He always tried to make others laugh in class, even if he got in trouble. Charlie soon found out, however, that no one took him seriously because of his reputation. Jesus had a reputation, and was rejected for it. So, Jesus traveled to an area where he was accepted.
Closing Question: Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t do something? What happened? Pray for those people who have told us we can’t do something.