Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Theme: Jesus Calls Us to Life
1. Welcome & Gathering
(Gather the children in a quiet space. Place a Bible and a small stone in the centre.)
Leader:
“Today we hear a very powerful story.”
Pause.
“A man has died.”
“Everyone thinks the story is finished.”
“But Jesus shows that with Him, death never has the final word.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together.
“In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
Leader:
“Jesus,
help us to listen to Your word
and to trust that You bring life.
Amen.”
2. Introducing the Theme
Ask:
“Have you ever been really sad when someone you love was hurting?”
“Have you ever wished you could help but didn’t know how?”
Say:
“In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ friends are very sad.”
“Their brother Lazarus has died.”
“They think everything is over.”
“But Jesus shows them something amazing.”
3. Gospel (Simplified – John 11)
(Read slowly.)
Lazarus was very sick.
His sisters Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus.
But before Jesus arrived, Lazarus died.
When Jesus came to the village, Martha ran to Him and said:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus said to her:
“Your brother will rise again.”
Then Jesus said something very important:
“I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever believes in me will live.”
Jesus went to the tomb.
A large stone was covering the entrance.
Jesus said:
“Take away the stone.”
Then Jesus called out in a loud voice:
“Lazarus, come out!”
And Lazarus walked out of the tomb alive.
Many people saw this and believed in Jesus.
Leader:
“The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children:
“Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. Reflection
Ask:
“What happened to Lazarus?”
(He died.)
“What did Jesus do?”
(He brought him back to life.)
Say:
“This story shows us something very important.”
“Jesus is stronger than death.”
Explain simply:
“When Jesus said,
‘I am the resurrection and the life,’
He meant that life itself comes from Him.”
“But this story is also about us.”
Sometimes people can feel trapped.
Trapped in anger.
Trapped in sadness.
Trapped in doing things they know are wrong.
That can feel like being inside a dark tomb.
But Jesus stands outside and calls us too.
Just like He called Lazarus.
He says:
“Come out.”
Come out of anger.
Come out of lies.
Come out of anything that traps your heart.
Jesus wants us to live in His light.
5. Short Activity – Stone or Life?
Leader says an example.
Children answer: Stone or Life.
Being selfish → Stone
Helping someone → Life
Refusing to say sorry → Stone
Forgiving someone → Life
Telling lies → Stone
Telling the truth → Life
Say:
“Sometimes we put stones in front of our hearts.”
“But Jesus helps us move them away.”
6. Quiet Prayer
Ask children to place a hand on their heart.
Leader:
“Jesus,
call me to new life.”
Pause.
“Help me leave behind
what is not good.”
Pause.
“Help me follow You.”
7. Living the Gospel This Week
Ask:
“What is one stone you can move away this week?”
Offer ideas:
Being kinder at home
Saying sorry
Helping someone who is sad
Praying each day
Telling the truth
Say:
“When we listen to Jesus,
we step out of the darkness
and into life.”
8. Closing Prayer
Leader:
“Jesus,
You brought Lazarus back to life.
Bring life to our hearts.
Help us to choose what is good
and to follow You.
Amen.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together.
9. Sending Back
Leader:
“Jesus said to Lazarus,
‘Come out.’”
“He says the same to us.”
“So let us go back to Mass
and follow Him.”
Return quietly to the assembly.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 