Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
Memory verse: Your king comes to you. He is gentle and riding on a donkey. Matthew 21:5
Ask: What does a normal king look like? What is his job?
What do you imagine a parade would look like for a king that everyone loved?
Read Matthew 21:1-11
The Triumphal Entry
21 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 Tell Daughter Zion,“See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”[a] 6 The disciples went and did just as
Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord![b] Hosanna in the highest heaven! 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Discuss Bible Lesson:
Wow, this was a big parade – and Jesus deserved it. Remember how he had traveled all over Israel helping people, doing miracles, and telling them about God’s love. Now he was coming to the capitol, the most important city. This was something the Bible had been promising for hundreds of years. It was all finally coming together, and the people were going crazy like they had just won the super bowl. But there was a problem: Jesus wasn’t rich like a normal king. He didn’t have a big fancy horse or a big fancy army to go with him in this parade. Did you hear how Jesus fixed that problem:
Read Matthew 21:10-11 again…
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. The people asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus. He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus made quite an entrance! People were trying to figure out who He was. Remember, there was no television back then. People had heard about Him, but they had never seen Him before. Notice – they didn’t say that He was the Son of God. They called Him a prophet. It was difficult for some of the people of Jesus’ time to realize that He was God and that He was going to save them. Even his disciples would be confused and abandon Jesus later that same week.
The Bible says that Jesus will come again, but not in a parade on a donkey but in the clouds in full glory. Ask the children to describe what that might look like.
Remind them that when Jesus comes again it will be to take his place as King of the world. This means we need to decide now if we will believe and follow Jesus. We need to be ready for his return. Again, this week if you feel lead we can offer a salvation time and encourage the children to take time to pray on their own.
Activities
Activities
Craft 1 "Palm Sunday Leaves"
Craft 1 "Palm Sunday Leaves"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
Green construction paper
Scissors
Glue/Tape
Popsicle Sticks
Get the details by clicking here!
Have the kids trace their hand on green pieces of construction paper 9 times.
Have the kids cut out all 9 hands if they are able to.
Glue the hands together similar to the picture in order to make a palm leaf.
Have the kids write "Hosanna" on the top hand.
Glue the palm leaf on two popsicle sticks.
Game 1: Donkey Relay
Game 1: Donkey Relay
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
4 small cones
1 pool noodle per team,
Jerusalem sign
Get the details by clicking here!
Prep: Set out cones to designate a starting line and turning point. Near the turning point cones, post the Jerusalem sign printable included in this download.
Detailed Instructions:
Ask: Does anyone remember what city Jesus entered into in our Bible story today? (let children respond: Jerusalem)
Say: Yes, Jesus was entering Jerusalem. What did he ride on when he entered Jerusalem? (let children respond: a donkey)
Say: Great job! Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Today, we’re going to have a little race to see which team can ride their donkey to Jerusalem and back the fastest!
Point out the cones and Jerusalem sign. Divide the group into two teams and give each team a pool noodle. Have each team line up single file behind the starting line. When you say go, one person from each team will “ride the donkey” with the pool noodle between their legs from the starting line, around their turning point Jerusalem cone, and back to their team, where they will pass the donkey off to the next person in line. The team who has all their players ride the donkey to Jerusalem and back first wins. Play again as time allows, changing how children must ride the donkey (going backward, without using their hands, two people at a time, etc.).
Game 2: "Shoe Race"
Game 2: "Shoe Race"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
None
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Have all of the kids remove their socks and shoes and place them in one large pile.
Divide the kids into two teams.
Have one teammate at a time race down to the pile, put on ONE item (so one sock for the first trip down) and then come back and tag the next teammate. Each child should get 4 turns to race down (one time for each sock and one time for each shoe) and the team that completes the relay first wins!
Activity 1 "Jesus prays"
Activity 1 "Jesus prays"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
None
Get the details by clicking here!
1. Just as Jesus prayed for his friends... we are going to pray for ours!
2. Take turns praying for each other!
Wrap It Up!
Wrap It Up!
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**
-Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more about Palm Sunday? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family about Palm Sunday. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
-Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more about Palm Sunday? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family about Palm Sunday. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
-Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
-Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
-Worship time- Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
-Worship time- Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
Worship
Worship
Last Minute Filler Ideas
Last Minute Filler Ideas
-Have them gather around the table and draw a picture or write a letter to their families about what they learned today.
-Play a game of some sort. (If you have the hula hoops, have them join hands in a circle and pass the hula hoop around the circle without breaking their hands)
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