LESSON THEME: Jesus is King
Mark 11:1-11 Jesus and his disciples head toward Jerusalem. Two disciples get there first and borrow a donkey colt for Jesus to ride. He rides triumphantly down the road as the crowds spread palm branches and robes on the road in his path. They call out praises, declaring that Jesus is the King.
WELCOME MUSIC: PLAYLIST (WEE SING KIDS)
This music should be playing in the background while the kids come in for the first 15 minutes. A craft or station will be setup to keep their attention and get them focused upon coming into the classroom.
WELCOME STATION CRAFT: Palm Branches Craft 6:00-6:15 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Palm Leave Craft
Child-safe scissors
Crayons
Sticks (or Straws)
As children arrive they are given a palm leaf craft to cut slits into the leaves to create a realistic palm frond. They should color the word HOSANNA on it. They can then tape a straw or stick to the back of it. Explain to the children that people waved palm leaves to Jesus on Palm Sunday, and we will wave these as part of our story today.
When children finish the craft, ask them to raise it up into the air and say the word “HOSANNA” to practice for the parade. Once they’ve done this, they can move to the Playdoh Mat until it’s time for songs.
Note: This craft will be used throughout the entire lesson.
WELCOME STATION GAME: Palm Sunday Playdoh Mat 6:00-6:15 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Palm Sunday Playdoh Mat
Playdoh
Note: Plastic Covers will Keep Mats Reusable (Amazon)
If children finish making their Palm Craft early, they can play with the Playdoh mats until the other children arrive. They can use the Play Doh to make Palm Leave or the donkey, or to add pictures on the play mats.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:15-6:30 p.m.
Move kids by the TV into the “Worship” Area near the TV. Let kids know we are going worship Jesus through song. They should wave their palm leaves from the craft in the air as they sing the first two songs.
- Hosanna Rock (2:19)
- Sing Hosanna (3:17)
Optional Songs if time allows, unrelated to the lesson. - Jesus is Alive (Freeze Dance) (2:08)
- My God is So Big (1:19)
- Jesus is My Best Friend (1:28)
WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.
Transition kids to the table for prayer time.
Ask each kid to share one praise today about someone else. Explain what a praise is. It might be for their mom, dad, grandma, teacher, or even a friend.
Pick one kid to bless the snack we are about to eat.
SNACK TIME: 6:40-6:50 p.m.
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks. Have paper or color activity on the table for kids to draw on while they eat their snack, or while they are waiting for others to finish. If there are any kids who didn’t complete the Palm Leaves Craft prior to 6:15, now is the time to give them a craft to make (or to make one for them).
BIBLE STORY 6:50-7:00 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Bible
Palm from Craft
Go over the rules.
1. Bubbles for our mouth. (Demonstrate putting a bubble in the mouth)
2. Open our ears. (Demonstrate opening ears)
3. Clap 3 times. (Demonstrate time to return to be quiet)
Ask: Questions to get attention focused in the reading area.
1. Have you ever seen a parade/ Or perhaps you’ve even gotten to be part of a parade.
2. What happens during one of these? Why do people have parades?
Our Bible story today is about a special parade for Jesus. We often call this “Palm Sunday” or the “triumphal entry.” Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, and people got very excited to celebrate He was coming.
3. For parades today, some people often ride on floats or pretty cars. What do you think Jesus is going to ride in on?
READ FROM THE BIBLE
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. (3) If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly. They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway.
As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
A COLT IS A BABY DONKEY. HAVE YOU EVERY RIDDEN A DONKEY?
WHY DO YOU THINK JESUS PICKED A DONKEY TO RIDE IN ON?
Riding a donkey was a sign of humility, indicating that Jesus came to serve and to lead people in a unique way.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMBLE?
Now we are going to read about the parade.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The people laid out their jackets on the road also had palm branches that they waved in the air. This was like waving flags to cheer someone on. CAN YOU WAVE YOUR PALM BRANCHES IN THE AIR?
As He went by, they shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save us.” They knew that Jesus was someone special.
CAN YOU SAY THE WORD HOSANNA?
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE GOD TODAY?
CLOSING LESSON PRAYER
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us Jesus, Help us to live humbly like Jesus did. We love you and we praise you.
In Jesus name, Amen!
SONG: JESUS RODE ON A DONKEY (2:22)
End the lesson asking everyone to sing the song.
BIBLE CRAFT OR ACTIVITY: Donkey Hand Print & Hosana Donkey Craft 7:00-7:10 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Baby Wipes for Clean Up
Donkey Hand Print Template
Gray Paint
Paint brushes to paint on children’s hands
Note: The handprint craft can be done during snack time, or the assistant teacher can do it one-by-one while the next craft is being done in a group setting.
Jesus on a Donkey Craft
Hand each child a a Jesus on a Donkey Craft kit to assemble. They should color the page with Jesus on it first and then glue the palm leaves and cloaks and other elements to it. Do it together with the children.
While kids are working on this craft, teachers will visit each kid one at a time to make the handprint donkey. Teachers help them put their RIGHT hand print on the paper below the donkey’s head. the thumb is part of the donkey’s head. The fingers are the body. Allow these to dry.
PALM SUNDAY PARADE 7:10-7:25 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Extra palm leaves from craft
Palm leaves made during craft
Coats or shirts to lay down
Have the kids pick up their palm leaves. Place shirts and extra palm leaves as a path for the parade. Start with the Palm Sunday Song (1:00). Do the song a few times.
We will do a parade. Each kid around the room saying Hosanna, waving palm branches while one kid at a time rides the stick horse (donkey) around the parade route.
DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.
Prepare for dismissal. Do clean up.
Hand each parent a “Today We Learned” sheet as the kid leaves.
