Palm Sunday
OBJECTIVE
To teach the children that Jesus is the King of Kings. We should receive Jesus with joy and prepare to receive Him into our hearts.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 2 Minutes
Ask the students who knows which Major Feast we are celebrating?
How Many weeks of Lent are there? (7)
Which week is Palm Sunday (7th)
What does this day begin for us? (Pascha or Holy Week)
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
Memory Verse - Hosanna 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord' Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest" (Mark 11:9-10)
Gospel Accounts of Palm Sunday:
- Matthew 21:1--11
- Mark 11:1--11
- Luke 19:28--44
- John 12:12--19
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes
Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, where they were going to celebrate Passover. They reached the Mount of Olives and towns called Bethphage and Bethany. Jesus sent two of the disciples saying: "Go into the village; and you will find a donkey and a colt that no one has ever sat on yet. Bring them here and if anyone asks why, tell them: 'The Lord has need of it.'" So the two disciples went and found the donkey and the colt just as Jesus had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them: "Why are you untying the donkey and the colt?" The disciples responded as Jesus had told them to. So the disciples brought the donkey to Jesus. It was just as the Old Testament prophecy had said "'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a colt"
Now the people who were in Jerusalem knew Jesus would be coming, and had heard about His many miracles, like how he raised Lazarus from the dead. They had been waiting a long time for a king to come and save them and were very excited to see Him. The crowds approached with excitement, and spread their clothes on the ground, and cut down branches of palm trees to make a path for Jesus as He entered. The crowds shouted their praise: Hosanna 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord' Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest" (Mark 11:9-10)
While the crowds were shouting Hosanna -- a Hebrew word which means "save now," among the crowd, there were Pharisees, who did not like Jesus and his teachings, and were upset by the noise and crowds gathering. "What is all this noise everyone is making Settle your disciples and make these crowds quiet down" Jesus responded that if they keep quiet, then even the stones on the ground would shout out for joy It was a joyous day in Jerusalem as Jesus made his triumphant entry. As Jesus approached the city further, however, he became sad because of the Pharisees and those who did not understand the joy and the time of God's coming to them.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 7 Minutes
- Why did Jesus choose a colt, not a horse or a chariot or something royal? (To fulfill the prophecy, and as a sign of humility)
- What did the people do as Jesus approached and why? (They wanted to make a path for Him to honor Him)
- What did the people shout to Jesus? ("Hosanna" and "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" and "Blessed is the King of Israel.")
- Why did the crowds cheer when Jesus entered? (They were amazed by the miracles He had done, especially Lazarus' resurrection, and they were waiting for a king to come)
- What did the Pharisees tell Jesus and how did he respond? (They told him to rebuke the disciples and make them quiet. He told them that if the crowds would be silent, the stones would shout.)
- Why did Jesus ride the young colt, not the older donkey? (Because no one had ridden the young colt before. This was a symbol of the new law and salvation to come)
- Why was Jesus sad as he approached Jerusalem? (Because of those who didn't understand the joy of the salvation that was coming to them.)
LIFE APPLICATION - 2 Minutes
How can WE show Jesus our joy and welcome him into our hearts, as the people of Jerusalem welcomed him into their city?
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Worksheet
See attachment below.
Gospel Comparison Chart
Have the students read the 4 Gospel accounts and make a chart comparing and contrasting the different details mentioned in each account.