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Children’s Liturgy of the Word
5th Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Theme: Jesus is the Way
1. Welcome & Gathering
Leader:
Today Jesus says something very important.
He says:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
That means:
If we want to know how to live,
where to go,
and how to get to heaven—
we follow Him.
Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Leader:
Jesus,
You are the way.
Help us to follow You.
Amen.
2. Introducing the Theme
Ask:
Have you ever been lost?
(Take answers)
What do you need when you are lost?
- Directions
- Someone to guide you
- A map
- Someone who knows the way
Now say:
In today’s Gospel,
the disciples feel a bit lost.
And Jesus tells them:
“I am the way.”
That means:
We don’t have to guess how to live.
We follow Him.
3. Gospel (Simplified – John 14:1–6)
Leader:
Jesus said:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
I am going to prepare a place for you.
You know the way to where I am going.”
But Thomas said:
“Lord, we do not know the way.”
Jesus answered:
“I am the way,
and the truth,
and the life.”
Leader:
The Gospel of the Lord.
Children:
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Reflection
Jesus says:
“I am the way.”
That means:
If you want to know what to do —
look at Jesus.
Follow Jesus.
Now let’s make that real.
If Jesus is the way, what do we do?
When someone is unkind —
we don’t copy them.
We follow Jesus.
What does Jesus do?
He is kind.
So we choose kindness.
If someone hurts us —
we don’t stay angry forever.
We follow Jesus.
What does Jesus do?
He forgives.
So we try to forgive.
If we don’t feel like praying —
we still make time.
Because Jesus prayed.
If it’s Sunday —
we come to Mass.
Because Jesus gives us Himself.
That is what it means:
Not just knowing about Jesus.
Following Him.
Then Jesus says:
“I am the truth.”
That means:
We don’t make things up.
We tell the truth.
We listen to what Jesus teaches.
We don’t say:
“I’ll do my own thing.”
We trust Him.
Then Jesus says:
“I am the life.”
That means:
Jesus gives us what we need inside.
Peace.
Strength.
Love.
And where do we receive that life?
At Mass.
In Holy Communion.
In prayer.
So remember this:
Jesus is not just showing the way.
He IS the way.
5. Quiet Prayer
Leader:
Let us be quiet for a moment.
Jesus,
You are the way.
Pause.
Help me to follow You.
Pause.
Help me to choose what is right.
Pause.
Help me to trust You.
6. Living the Gospel This Week
Leader:
This week, we follow Jesus in simple ways:
- Be kind when it is hard
- Tell the truth
- Say our prayers
- Come to Mass and listen
A simple prayer this week:
“Jesus, show me the way.”
7. Closing Prayer
Leader:
Jesus,
You are the way,
the truth,
and the life.
Help us to follow You
every day.
Amen.
8. Sending Back
Leader:
Today we heard that Jesus is the way.
Let us go back to Mass
and stay close to Him.
Optional Activities (choose 1–2)
Option 1: Follow the Way
Best after reflection
Leader:
“When I don’t know what to do…”
Children: Jesus is the way!
“When I want to do what is wrong…”
Children: Jesus is the way!
“When I feel lost…”
Children: Jesus is the way!
Option 2: Choose the Right Path
Best interactive
Leader gives choices:
“Someone is unkind — what do we do?”
Children: Be kind!
“Someone hurts us — what do we do?”
Children: Forgive!
“We don’t feel like praying — what do we do?”
Children: Pray anyway!
Option 3: Living Stones (link to 2nd reading)
Best if slightly older group
Leader:
“What are we?”
Children: Living stones!
“What are we part of?”
Children: God’s house!
Option 4: Sacramental Link
Best before sending back
Leader:
“Where do we receive Jesus’ life?”
Children: At Mass!
Leader:
“Who do we follow?”
Children: Jesus!
Option 5: “Which Way?” (Decision Game)
Best after Gospel / Reflection
Leader gives scenarios and children choose:
Point LEFT = “My way”
Point RIGHT = “Jesus’ way”
Examples:
“Someone is mean to me”
- My way → get angry
- Jesus’ way → forgive
“Sunday morning”
- My way → stay in bed
- Jesus’ way → go to Mass
“Someone is left out”
- My way → ignore
- Jesus’ way → include
Then conclude:
Jesus is the way —
we choose His way.
Option 6: Walk the Way (Movement Activity)
Best for younger / active groups
Make a simple “path” in the room.
Children walk slowly in a line.
Leader calls out:
“Follow Jesus by being kind” → take a step
“Follow Jesus by telling the truth” → step
“Follow Jesus by praying” → step
Then:
“What happens if we stop following?”
(children stop)
“What happens if we follow again?”
(children walk)
Point:
Following Jesus is something we do.
Option 7: Real-Life Choices Circle
Best for discussion groups
Children sit in a circle.
Leader asks:
“What is one thing this week
where it might be hard to follow Jesus?”
Let them answer.
Then:
“What would Jesus do in that situation?”
Make it practical and specific.
Option 8: Build the House (Living Stones)
Best with slightly older children
Use chairs, cushions, or even just actions.
Each child says one thing they can do:
“I can pray”
“I can help at home”
“I can be kind”
Each time, they “add a stone” (gesture stacking).
Leader concludes:
We are building something together —
God’s house.
Option 9: Trust the Guide (Eyes Closed Activity)
Very effective
One volunteer closes eyes.
Leader (or another child) gently guides them a few steps.
Then ask:
“Was that easy or hard?”
“Why?”
Point:
Following Jesus means trusting Him
even when we can’t see everything.
Option 10: Truth or Not?
Best for older children
Leader says statements:
“I can make my own truth” → children: No!
“Jesus tells us the truth” → Yes!
“It doesn’t matter how we live” → No!
“Jesus shows us how to live” → Yes!
Helps reinforce:
Jesus = truth.
Option 11: The Wrong Way / Right Way Skit
Great for engagement
Two volunteers act:
Scene 1: choosing wrong way (arguing, ignoring, selfish)
Scene 2: same situation, choosing Jesus’ way
Ask children:
Which way leads to life?
Option 12: One Step This Week
Strong ending activity
Each child says (or repeats):
“This week I will…”
Examples:
- be kind to someone
- say my prayers
- help at home
- tell the truth
Keep it concrete.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 