Curriculum
A Joyful Celebration
Memory Verse:
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Mark 11:9
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
A week before Easter, we celebrate Palm Sunday. The first Palm Sunday was when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just like the prophecies foretold. Crowds gathered and shouted their praises as Jesus rode by. We, too, praise Jesus on Palm Sunday.
Scripture Summary
Jesus knew. He knew this was the week leading up to His crucifixion and His plan to save the world. Jesus gave two of His disciples instructions to bring a young donkey for Him to ride into Jerusalem.
Everyone knew this Sunday was special. They just didn’t quite know how special it was. Jewish people traveled from all over the Roman empire to Jerusalem for the week-long Passover celebration. Passover was an annual holiday to remember how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 12).
Many people had heard about Jesus, listened to Him speak, or watched Him perform miracles and had hoped He would arrive at the temple.
Jesus did come, but not as the expected warrior on a horse. He rode on a young donkey, as prophesied (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus rode through the crowds on His way to Jerusalem.
The crowds shouted, “Hosanna!” which means “Save!” They knew He was the Messiah and fulfilled the prophecies. Those in the crowd spoke of David’s kingdom because they realized Jesus was fulfilling yet another prophecy in 2 Samuel 7:12-14.
Why Is This Important
For generations, people prophesied about the coming Messiah. Jesus, the Messiah, came to save the world, and He fulfilled all of the prophecies. Jesus wanted all to believe—really believe—that He was who He claimed to be.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
I Wonder
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Mark 11:9)
Read Mark 11:1-11 slowly and aloud, if possible. Imagine yourself there witnessing every moment, observing every detail, hearing every sound.
There are so many accounts in the Bible, such as Jesus riding into Jerusalem, that are rich with experience. I often find myself quickly skimming over familiar passages. But there’s a beautiful opportunity to see Scripture come alive in a new way each time we read a passage.
To help myself slow down, I ask questions about what I notice in the passage. Sometimes my wonderings are profound, and other times they center around seemingly insignificant logistics. And at times, my questions are a bit silly.
I wonder what the two disciples thought of Jesus’ request for a donkey. Did they question Jesus out loud?
I wonder if the same people who had asked the disciples about the colt later recognized the same colt carrying the Messiah.
I wonder if those who were in the crowd shouting, “Hosanna!” ended up with sore throats and hoarse voices.
I wonder what happened to the cloaks—that were tossed over the colt and onto the ground to prepare the way for Jesus—after Jesus went on His way.
I wonder what the conversation was like in Bethany that night among Jesus and the 12 disciples.
Take the time to ponder your answers to these questions:
- What “I wonder…” statement can you add to the list above?
- How has this passage come alive for you today?
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus. As I read this familiar account of Jesus’ triumphal entry, I feel like I’m witnessing the experience. I love when Your Word comes to life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Paper plates - two per child, Beads - at least five per child, Washable markers - one per child, Bibles - one per child, Stapler - one per adult/teacher
“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!’” Mark 11:9-10
Lead kids in these steps:
- Give each child two paper plates, a few beads, and a marker.
- Instruct the children to write this phrase from the memory verse on the back of their first plate with a marker: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
- Then instruct them to write this phrase from the memory verse on the back of their second plate: “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
- After the writing is complete, ask the children to lay their first plate down (bottom side facing down) and put the beads on top of the plate.
- Instruct them to place the second plate on top of the first plate (bottom side facing up) so that it forms the shape of a tambourine.
- Tell them to wait for an adult to come around to help them staple their tambourine shakers together.
- Invite kids to stand with their tambourine shaker instruments.
SAY: Today we are going to recite the portion of your memory verse that is on your tambourine, but when I say “celebrate,” you’ll shake your tambourine and we’ll celebrate together.
Lead the kids in reciting the memory verse and celebrating several times.
ASK:
- Which praise to Jesus from our verse is your favorite? Tell us why.
SAY: Now that was a celebration! Stay tuned as we learn about another big celebration from the life of Jesus.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: “Psalm 145 Poster” one per group, Highlighters, Bibles - one per child (or group)
- Divide the class into small groups.
- Give each group a “Psalm 145 Poster” print-out and a few highlighters.
- Invite kids to also turn to Psalm 145 in their Bibles and read silently along with you.
- Read Psalm 145 aloud to the small groups, and invite them to highlight phrases that show praise in this Psalm.
ASK:
- What was the most amazing thing you learned about God in this Psalm?
- Tell us why you thought it was so amazing.
SAY: There is no one as great as our God. We can learn more about how great Jesus is as we learn more about God. No wonder Jesus deserves such praise!
Snack
Praise Path Snack
You’ll Need: Graham crackers - three per child, Green icing, Chocolate chips, Plastic knives - one per child, Paper plates - one per child, Napkins - one per child
Get Ready: Either purchase or mix up green icing.
Follow these steps to make the “Praise Path Snacks”:
- Give each child a paper plate, napkin, plastic knife, and graham crackers.
- Instruct kids to line up the crackers on their plates like a path.
- Next, invite kids to ice their cracker paths with green icing.
- Lastly, instruct kids to press some chocolate chips into the icing paths to look like the donkey’s footprints.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- Why do you think people made a special path for Jesus?
- What might you do to make a special place for Jesus in your life?
SAY: As you eat your snack, imagine for a moment what it would have been like standing along that path praising Jesus. People were waving palm branches and using their coats to line the road. And Jesus rode in on a donkey. Imagine the Savior of the world and the King of Kings on a donkey. That celebration is unlike any celebration we’ve ever been to!
Game
Palm Sunday Relay
You’ll Need: Brown or green poster board - two pieces per team
Follow these steps to play “Palm Sunday Relay”:
- Divide the children into teams of 5 to 6 kids.
- Have each team assign the following roles to their team members: donkey, Jesus, and townspeople.
- Explain that in the relay, the donkey will carry Jesus on his or her back, but can only move forward when there is a piece of poster board to move onto.
- The townspeople will have to keep moving the poster boards, one in front of another, along the path and back.
- If needed, two kids can carry Jesus.
- Tell the children to cheer for each other throughout the relay.
- The first team to the end of the room and back wins the “Palm Sunday Relay.”
SAY: Great teamwork to complete the relay. (Be sure to also point out teams that were cheering and encouraging one another.) We learned in today’s Bible verses that Jesus sent two of His disciples to get Him a donkey. Jesus had a plan, even down to the donkey He would ride. He is so awesome and worthy of our praise!
Craft
Celebration Sticks Craft
You’ll Need: Craft sticks - one per child, Crepe paper in various colors, Glue, Markers
To make the “Celebration Sticks Craft,” have kids follow these steps:
- Give each child a craft stick.
- Invite kids to write praises on their sticks and then glue thin pieces of crepe paper to the top end of their sticks.
- Next, divide kids into small groups and tell them they have five minutes to work together to come up with a praise song for Jesus.
- Be sure to remind them to use their celebration sticks during the song.
- Give them example phrases of praises to Jesus like, “Jesus is the King of Kings,” “Jesus is our Savior,” and “We love Jesus so much!”
- Once they have had time, allow each small group to perform their songs with their celebration sticks.
SAY: You were so creative with your praises to Jesus. Isn’t it so fun to praise Jesus for all He has done? Just like they praised Jesus on Palm Sunday, we get to praise Jesus today and every day.
Prayer
Praise Collage
You’ll Need: Large piece of butcher paper, Old magazines, appropriate for children, Scissors, Glue
SAY: Today we are going to make a collage to praise God for all He has done. These magazines will help us.
- Invite kids to look through the magazine and cut out pictures or words of things we can praise God for.
- After they find the picture or words, instruct them to glue it to the banner of butcher paper.
ASK:
- What did you put on the banner and why?
- What reasons do you have to celebrate God or Jesus recently?
Once they have all had a chance to place pictures or words on the banner, lead kids in a prayer to praise God for something on the banner.
PRAY: Dear God, we praise You. You have given us so much. You love us so much that we can’t even imagine it. We thank You for sending Jesus and showing us how He was praised on Palm Sunday! Help us to praise You more each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
