Children Activities for 8th 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.
YOUNG CATHOLICS – The readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C tell us that our words and actions should reflect that we are Christians. In the first reading tells us to be careful in our speech. The psalm reminds us to be just and kind. In the second reading Paul tells us that Jesus Christ has given us victory over sin. In the gospel Jesus tells us to take care of our own sins before pointing out the failings of others and that our words and actions reflect what is in our hearts.
THEMES:
Recommended Handouts
Sunday Bulletin
In this gospel, Jesus warned against ambition and the urge to quickly judge others. Ambition focuses on one’s own interests over those of others. From this urge to judge others with speed grows many others: the desire to gossip, criticism and sarcasm. Both can destroy the good that many took so long to build up.
How can petty ambition and quick judgment hurt us?
Compare a healthy piece of fruit and a bruised piece to show their damage. Show how the bruised piece is hurt from the inside out (like ambition and speedy judgment actually bruise the heart of the selfish). Now show how the healthy piece of fruit is like the person with the healthy, loving heart who quickly heals from the hurt.
Ask your family to think of other things that can bruise or heal the heart. Pray God helps you and your family share with each other and avoid making rush judgments. Pray God heals the bruises in the heart.
Group Activities › Coloring Page › Crossword › Decoder › Fill in the Blank › Word Search › Worship Bulletin
Free Sunday School Curriculum – New Testament Lessons | Old Testament Lessons
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Listening to Your Conscience
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
Modeling good behavior is one appropriate way for children to participate in the mission of leading others to Jesus. Support children in understanding that Jesus teaches us to focus on our own behavior rather than focusing our attention on judging others.
Materials needed:
Objects suggested: Several kinds of fruit such as apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, etc.
EXCERPT: Do you like fruit? I have a basket filled with several different kinds of fruit with me today.
Here’s an apple. How many of you like apples? Apples not only taste good, but they are good for you. Surely you have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
How about bananas? There are lots of ways to eat bananas. They are great on cereal at breakfast, aren’t they? How about banana pudding? Is there anyone who doesn’t like banana pudding? Have you ever eaten banana bread? Yum, yum! One of my favorite snacks is a banana smoothie. Oh, did I mention that bananas have lots of vitamins?
By Dr. Carol J Miller
Objects suggested: Bring a bag of apples. Be sure to wash them first.
EXCERPT: Jesus talks a lot about fruit. He says that he wants us—his followers—to bear fruit. Now I don’t see a banana sprouting from anyone’s ear. There isn’t anyone with an orange tree growing out of her head. What do you think Jesus means when he says we need to bear fruit for him? [Accept all answers].
Listen carefully while I read what Jesus said to us about fruit. [Read Luke 6:43a, 45a]. “A good tree does not bear bad fruit…. A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart.”
When Jesus says that good people produce good fruit, he doesn’t mean fruit like apples and cherries. Jesus means that if we are following him and trying to do the things that make God happy, we will do good things. We will help people, share what we have, and treat every person with respect.
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
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: 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.
Weekly Lenten Disciplines for Households
What Do You See in the Sanctuary During Lent?
Burying the “Alleluia!” for Lent
Three Reasons to Include Children on Ash Wednesday
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
Opening Question: What kind of person do you want for a friend? What kind of person do you want to avoid as a friend? Why are they different?
In the story for the first reading, Sam defined a good friend as a fruit tree which, when nurtured, grows strong and bears sweet fruit.
Bridge Question: What is a good friend like?
In the story for the gospel, Bernie was hurt by the sarcastic put down of a classmate. His older brother, Max, gave him good advice, test others by listening and watching them, just like Jesus said in Luke’s gospel.
Closing Question: How can you be a better friend for others? How does the advice of Jesus help you?
SUMMARY: