Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Third Sunday of Lent
Theme: Jesus Gives Us Living Water
1. Welcome & Gathering
(Gather the children in a quiet space. Place a Bible or a bowl of water in the centre.)
Leader:
“Today we hear about water.”
Pause.
“But not just water for the body.”
“Jesus speaks about water for the heart.”
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 learn Your way.
Amen.”
2. Introducing the Theme
Ask:
“When do you feel thirsty?”
“Why do we need water?”
Say:
“Water keeps us alive.”
“But today,
Jesus speaks about a different kind of water.”
“He calls it living water.”
3. Gospel (Simplified – John 4:5–15, 28–30)
(Read slowly and clearly.)
Jesus came to a town called Sychar
and sat down by a well.
A Samaritan woman came
to get water.
Jesus said to her:
“Give me a drink.”
She was surprised and said:
“You should not be talking to me.”
Jesus said:
“If you knew who was speaking to you,
you would ask him for living water.”
The woman said:
“You do not even have a bucket.”
Jesus said:
“Everyone who drinks this water
will be thirsty again.
But the water I give
will make a spring inside you
that leads to eternal life.”
The woman said:
“Sir, give me this water.”
She left her water jar
and went to tell the people:
“Come and see a man
who told me everything about my life.”
And many people came to Jesus.
Leader:
“The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children:
“Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. Reflection
Ask:
“Why did the woman come to the well?”
(To get water.)
“Why did Jesus talk to her?”
(To help her.)
Say:
“Jesus knew her life.
He knew her mistakes.”
“But He still spoke to her.”
“He did not shout at her.
He helped her.”
Explain gently:
“Jesus gives living water
when He forgives us
and loves us.”
“This water is God’s life
inside us.”
Connect to the First Reading:
“In the desert,
God gave water to His people
from a rock.”
“Jesus is the new rock
who gives us life.”
Say clearly:
“When we pray,
when we are kind,
when we go to confession,
Jesus gives us living water.”
5. Activity – Thirsty or Full?
Leader gives examples.
Children respond: “Thirsty” or “Full”.
Examples:
Being selfish → Thirsty
Helping someone → Full
Telling lies → Thirsty
Saying sorry → Full
Being kind → Full
Being mean → Thirsty
Say:
“When we live like Jesus,
our hearts are full.”
6. Quiet Prayer
Ask children to place a hand on their heart.
Leader:
“Jesus,
give me Your living water.”
Pause.
“Help my heart
to belong to You.”
Pause.
“Help me
to love others.”
7. Living the Gospel This Week
Ask:
“What is one way
you can drink Jesus’ living water this week?”
Offer ideas:
Praying each day
Being kind
Saying sorry
Helping at home
Forgiving someone
Say:
“We do not go to a well for this water.”
“We go to Jesus.”
8. Closing Prayer
Leader:
“Jesus,
You give us living water.
Fill our hearts with Your love.
Help us to choose what is right
and to follow You.
Amen.”
9. Sending Back
Leader:
“Jesus gives us living water.”
“So let us go back to Mass
and thank Him.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together
and return quietly to the assembly.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 