Children
Children Activities for 7th 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.
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
SOURCE: Catholic Kids Media – Loving Your Enemies?! Ordinary Time 7C (2022)
Catholic Resources
The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C lead us to think about mercy and justice.
This is a good time to think about the way we think and act toward each other. Are we merciful as God is merciful to us? In the first reading David has the opportunity to kill Saul, but he does not do it. In the second reading Paul tells us we shall bear the image of Christ. In the gospel Jesus tells us we must love our enemies, forgive each other, and stop judging.
THEMES: The mercy of God, Forgiveness, The cost of being judgemental
SOURCE: Young Catholics
Recommended Handouts
SOURCE: Society of Christian Doctrine, Catholic Mom, Diocese of Salford Office for Liturgy,
Sunday Bulletin
SOURCE: The Kids’ Bulletin: A fun way for Catholic kids to learn about the Faith every week.
More Resources
Liturgical Activities
THE LITURGY CENTRE
SOURCE: the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Click to download PDF
Family Activities
OUR SUNDAY VISITOR
Provide materials for each family member to cut out a paper heart shape. Invite each family member to think of one person in their life that is difficult to deal with and write the name of the person on their heart…- Think about how you live together as a family. Talk about how your family follows Jesus’ teaching…
- Jesus teaches that if we “give, gifts will be given” to us. Invite each family member to share about a time…
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor: Lifelong Catechesis
Word Sunday
“Love of Enemies” Poster
What is love all about? For the young, love is a warm emotion. For the mature, love is a commitment that transcends feeling. In Luke, however, Jesus proposed another meaning for love: graciousness towards enemies.
Enemies can be divided into those who dislike us and those whom we dislike. Jesus addressed the former. There are people in the world who hate us Christians simply because we follow Jesus. We can show kindness to those people as a way to invite them to change their hearts (and become one of us!). However, the latter (the people we dislike) are harder to address. And, the words of Jesus still stand.
How can we treat our enemies with honest graciousness? Start with identifying ways. Create a “Love of Enemies” poster. Have your family members cut out pictures of enemies (from newspapers and magazines) as a means to identify those who hate. Brainstorm ways to treat enemies with kindness. Write those ways on the poster. Use the poster was a way to discuss love of enemies.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (©1999-2021). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Non-Denomination
SOURCE: Faithville Productions (20:49) – Activity Sheet Links
Love for Enemies
Packet is for Gospel of Matthew, but can be used for Luke’s version, too. PDF packets with handouts designed for Sunday School students in preschool through 4th grade.
SOURCE: Free Sunday School Curriculum – New Testament Lessons | Old Testament Lessons
Sermon’s 4 Kids
Group Activities › Coloring Page › Crossword › Decoder › Fill in the Blank › Word Search › Worship Bulletin
SOURCE: Sermons4kids.com
LOYOLA
PRESS
LOYOLA PRESS
Jesus teaches us how to love our enemies
Making the Connection
1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Grades 1-3
Generosity, empathy, and compassion are traits we want to develop in younger children. Teaching children to treat others as they want to be treated supports them in developing these traits.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣
Grades 4-6
Older children are becoming more capable of weighing their actions and choices against a moral framework. We can help them understand that our call to be merciful as God is merciful is a call to act in ways that exceed expectations.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
7️⃣8️⃣
Grades 7 and 8
Young people today face significant moral challenges. As they face these challenges, we can support them by reminding them about mercy, a primary quality of God.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Lectionary Resources
Catholic Doctrine
Love of Enemies
PRIMARY SESSION – Jesus’ commandment to love God and neighbor includes love for one’s enemies. As followers of Jesus we are to love God and love all people. This includes even those whom we consider our “enemies.” God gives us the grace to love all people. Jesus shows us how to forgive. Jesus forgave those who mocked him and put him to death.
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
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.
THE GOLDEN RULE (3:01) – Music video from NATURE JAMS album BE KIND. Treat other the way you want to be treated!
ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
Treat others just as you want to be treated
Imagine what the world would be like if we all took this to heart and made it our guiding light. Today let us pray for strength to do all we can to love those we don’t get along with, pay attention to those in need, and be kind and merciful to one another.
Materials needed:
- Items that have a gold color or coating, e.g. gift box wrapped in gold paper, or a gold colored figurine or vase.
- Large flash card with the GOLDEN RULE written on one side (Treat others just as you want to be treated). On the other side, write the word NAMASTE.
SOURCE: Children’s Liturgy
THE GOLDEN RULE (3:11) – Music video from WEIRD ANIMALS VBS
SERMONS 4 KIDS – GOSPEL
The Golden Rule
Objects suggested: Items for a king or queen’s costume, such as a crown, a staff, or a robe; an armchair
EXCERPT: (Put on the royal costume and sit in the arm chair.) What do I look like to you? (Pause for kids to identify that you are a king or a queen.) That’s right. Pretend I’m the ruler. And what does a ruler do? (Pause for responses.)
A ruler makes rules. Only, I think I need some help with the rules. So let me ask you…
- If you were ruler, what would your number one rule be, and why? (Have children take turns holding a royal object from your costume when they share. If time allows, invite them to take turns on the throne.)
Those were some interesting rules you all came up with. Today we’re reading in the Bible about something Jesus, our King, said was important to do. Many people call this “The Golden Rule.” (Invite kids to share if they know what it is.)
SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Click on title to read entire sermon.
SERMON WRITER – GOSPEL
Giving More Than Is Needed
Objects suggested: Candy bar. Share with children, if appropriate.
EXCERPT: Let’s see what we can learn about this word – generosity. Imagine that you and your friend were given a candy bar. You take the candy bar, unwrap it, and break it into two pieces. Oops, one piece is much larger than the other. Which piece do you give to your friend?
If you choose to give your friend the larger piece you are a generous person. You know about generosity. We could say that generosity is when you give something to another person without expecting to receive anything in return.
We can be generous in many ways. Let’s make a list.
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
rfour.org – GOSPEL
Love Your Enemy
(No Tap Backs)
Objects suggested: Before worship, ask a child to volunteer to “play tag” with you during the children’s sermon. Explain what it will look like (see below in the “Ask” section). Briefly demonstrate and practice.
EXCERPT: Have you ever played tag with just ONE other person? It might look a little like this: [ “Play” tag with volunteer. Both of you should sit there and alternate tapping each other on the shoulder and saying, “You’re it.” Feel free to vary the tempo between tagging each other as well as increasing and decreasing one’s enthusiasm of the tag. Do this for a good 20 to 30 seconds. ] So what do you think –
Keep in mind this idea of tag being more fun when there’s more people playing it we talk about today’s scripture story. In today’s story, we hear Jesus teach his disciples how to respond to their enemies. The lessons he gives them are very difficult things to do and even think about. He tells them to love their enemies…
SOURCE: RFOUR.ORG– This material is the copyrighted property of rfour.org and Nathanael Vissia. It is also free. Please use, improve and share this material. But you may not sell it or require any personal information for it.
MARKKULA CENTER
Virtue of the Week
No packet available for 6th, 7th, and 8th week of ordinary time.
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.
WORSHIPING WITH CHILDREN
Lectionary Notes by Carolyn C. Brown
SECOND READING – Ways to Explain Death to Children
In the Second Reading, The reference to the first and last Adam makes no sense to children. But, they can hear Paul’s message that we really do not know what we will be like after we die. God has kept that as a secret surprise for us. But we do know that we will be with God and that things will be good. It is best to share this with children in your own words or perhaps using one of these books. None of them are specifically Christian, but they are based on Paul’s ideas. (They are also good to have on hand to pass to families that are dealing with death.)
The idea behind Waterbugs and Dragonflies, by Doris Stickney, is that we don’t know what happens when we die because people can’t come back. They have changed into something wonderful and new, just as we will when we die.
Lifetimes: the beautiful way to explain death to children
Lifetimes: the beautiful way to explain death to children, by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen, is meant to be read and pondered with a few children and the luxury of time. In worship it would be possible to shorten it by omitting the descriptions of some of the kinds of living things simply noting as you flipped past them “NAME OF LIVING THING has a lifetime.” The point is that every living thing lives and dies. That is the plan.
The Next Place, by Warren Hanson, seems most nearly Christian of these books. It is a poem filled with images and spread across artful pages. It takes a full 5 minutes to read aloud and cannot be shortened. One good way to read it would be at the conclusion of a sermon unpacking Paul’s message for the adults. Worshipers of all ages appreciate it.
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
EMILY (6:43) – Wonderful children’s book about the all encompassing golden rule, stretching across faith and age.
A grandfather explains to his grandson that the Golden Rule means you “treat people the way you would like to be treated. It’s golden because it’s so valuable, and a way of living your life that’s so simple, it shines.” The book reveals versions of the Golden Rule found in many cultures and religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam. Following the Golden Rule is something everyone can do, which means that every person—old or young, rich or poor—can help make the world a better place.
Word-Sunday
A Simple Rule
Children’s Readings
Opening Question: Have you ever seen the Golden Rule applied? How did it change the situation? The people involved?
In the story for the first reading, Katie beat her friend Allison in a game of “King of the Hill.” The war was on!
David played a version of king of the hill. He silently took King Saul’s spear, the sign of his royal power. Then, on top of a hill, David challenged Saul to come and get it. David embarrassed Saul but he refused to kill Saul when he had the chance. Even though Saul was David’s enemy, the king was in God’s hands. David would be king some day, but that day would be set God, not by David.
Bridge Question: What makes someone a good winner? A good loser? How can competitive games break up friendships?
The story for the gospel continued mounting Katie’s and Allison’s spat. Both girls spread their venom to their friends, reaching the point no one wanted to have anything to do with either girl. In the end, they discovered true strength in forgiveness.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies and to pray for them. In other words, we are to treat our enemies like our friends. Why? So we can make our enemies our friends. Everyone is a potential friend.
Closing Question: Think about your friends and your enemies. How can you get closer to your friends? How can you turn your enemies into friends?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com
STORYTIME PUP (8:13) – What if you treated others the way you’d like to be treated? What if everyone did that? What kind of world could there be? Robert and Kait decide to look for the golden ruler that their Mom has told them about, only to find out that she meant RULE instead of ruler.
A Moms Choice Awards Recipient, The Golden Rule is a “fantastic book which teaches and inspires youngsters to bekind. Penned in rhyme, with a lyrical cadence, this book is well written andhas a powerful message that will ring true with kids on many levels. The GoldenRule is fun to read and is sure to become a favorite with parents, teachers,caregivers and children”…Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval Review
