Palm Sunday

  • Palm Sunday Walk with Jesus

    Children's drama for Palm Sunday / Holy Week      

    (Different denominations approach this day in a variety of ways. As young children often don’t come to Good Fridayservices I’m trying to highlight the importance of the cross)

     kids sermon for Palm Sunday
     
    Theme: Journey to the Cross, Holy Week
     
    Children's object lesson Props: “Palm” branches, Bread and Wine symbols, towel and basin, Cross
     
    Children's sermon idea: Consider each of the above items that signify events during the final week of Jesus physical ministry on earth. Physically walking to each of these helps the children (and adults if they are watching) get a feel for the sequence of these important events.
     
    Time:The idea is that this would move quite quickly. It can probably be done in about 6 minutes unless you want to stretch it out to include more teaching.
     
    Full Children's sermon: (Set up 4 “stations” across the front of the church with the various symbols.)
     
    Good Morning Children! This morning is Palm Sunday. This is the day we remember when Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. As he came down the hill into Jerusalem all the people welcomed him by shouting “Hosanna” and waving palm branches in the air. This was the beginning of some very important events in Jesus life. I would like you to join me in quickly walking through some of these events. Perhaps you can think of this as “walking with Jesus” on a very important journey. (1-Palm Branches) Please follow me over here and pick up a “palm branch,” pretending we are celebrating Jesus coming as a wonderful King! As they waved the palm branches they shouted out “Hosanna.” (save we pray) Let’s practice shouting that out. (Keep walking towards the next station). (2-Bread and Wine) A little while later Jesus planned to eat a special meal (the Passover) with his disciples. He met with them in a special upper room where they had some very special bread and wine. (Pick up the bread and wine – or get the children to hold it up) He shared that bread and wine with his disciples and he said that from now on they were to eat this simple meal remembering his body and blood. It was a way of remembering that Jesus loved us so much he was willing to give his life for us. (You could quickly sit down with the children in a circle) This bread and wine might look familiar to you because we still use this bread and wine at our communion service to remember Jesus and what he did for us.
    (3 –Towel and Wash Basin) (Pick up the towel and basin) After having this special meal with his disciples Jesus filled a basin with water and washed his disciple’s feet. It was a wonderful example of being a servant. As important as Jesus was he was able to serve others by washing their feet. (You could quickly knell down with the basic and towel as if you were washing one of the children’s feet.) He went on to say that we should show our love to one another by doing the same sort of thing to help others. (4 –The Cross) Let’s keep walking. Later that night Jesus went up on a hill to pray. (Prayer could be a special station) He prayed all through the night and then suddenly some soldiers came and took him away. After an unfair trail he was tortured on a cross where he died for our sins. (Walk the children to the cross) This cross reminds us of Jesus great love. He loved us so much he was willing to suffer and die for us. Let’s all knell down here near the cross. We’ll be very quiet as we think of what happened to Jesus on that Friday 2000 years ago.
    PRAY: Dear God. We are remembering some very important things in the life of Jesus this week. Help us to remember when the children and all the people praised Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna.” Help us to remember how he asked us to remember him in the Bread and the Wine. Help us to remember how he washed his disciple’s feet as an example to us of being a servant. Help us also to remember how he died for us on the cross – how he gave his live so that we might have life. In Jesus’ name. Amen
     

    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett SundayChildrensFocus.com  - Please "Like"this if you found it helpful!

    PS - Very Simple idea: (If you use palm crosses) Have the children do a simple processional with palm branches. Sit the children down and then explain how the crowds started out praising Jesus with palm branches but soon after this he was put on a cruel cross. Take a palm reed and fold it into a simple cross. Let them know that this palm cross will remind them of the joyous coming of Christ as King, but also that on Good Friday he died for us on a cross.

  • Children's sermon for Palm Sunday

     

    Palm Sunday Children’s sermon     Luke 19:28-40   Sunday of the Passion 

     For Sunday School or Children's Church -

    Lectionary

    Palm Sunday Kids
    Children’s Sermon Idea: Talk about the excitement around the recent Olympic Games land show how many people waved flags in the air when the athletes entered the stadium. Explain how Jesus came down into Jerusalem and all the people waved Palm branches in celebration. (You could also use the idea of players entering as stadium at the superbowl or an NHL hockey game playoff) 
     (PS - Don't forget to check out the home page for other ideas or go here -> a list of Palm Sunday ideas.)
    Objects lesson props: 1. Some flags or banners you can wave. (Use an Olympic flag if you have one or make one out of paper.) 2. A palm branch or some facsimile.
     
    Children’s Sermon for Palm Sunday: Good morning children. How many of you watched the Olympic Games on T.V.? Great. Our whole family watched them on T.V. What was your favourite event? (Interact with the children) Do you know what my favourite part was? It was the opening ceremonies when the athletes entered into the stadium with all the people cheering. Many of the people waved flags as they cheered the athletes. (Give a demonstration or ask some of the children to help you out.)
    It was a great celebration. The people were so excited that the athletes were getting reading to compete in all the events. There was so much excitement.
    In our bible reading today we are remembering a very special event in the life of Jesus. Today is called Palm Sunday and we remember the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people were so excited that King Jesus was coming to the city. They didn’t have flags but they cut down palm branches and waved them in the air. They shouted out “Hosanna in the highest” as Jesus rode into the city. It was so exciting. Today (Palm Sunday) we remember that special when all the people celebrated and cheered on Jesus with Palm branches in the air.
     
    (Consider placing a robe on one of the children (as Jesus) and have the other children wave palm branches as you process down the church isle. At our church we also sing the song “Hosanna in the highest” as we process.)
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, as we celebrate on this Palm Sunday help us to remember that day when all the adults and children waved palm branches and cheered as Jesus entered Jerusalem as King. We know Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. Help us to remember that he is our wonderful King and that we can praise him everyday! In Jesus’ name – Amen.

    Copyright Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlet  - Feel free to use this on Sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider placing a link on your church web site. Blessings, A.H.


     

  • Great list of Object Lesson ideas for Palm Sunday

    Creative list of Sunday School ideas and Object Lessons for Palm Sunday  - (The Triumphal Entry of Jesus)

     Triumphal Entry

    Palm branches: The most obvious object for Palm Sunday is the palm branch. (If you don’t have real palm branches -be creative! ) Talk about the significance of the palm branch in the biblical story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Then, have each child make their own palm branch out of green construction paper and wave them in the air, imagining themselves as part of the crowd welcoming Jesus.

    Donkey figurines: Another object you could use for Palm Sunday is a toy donkey or figurine. (Of course you could be really radical and arrange to have someone bring a real donkey to the church parking lot!) Talk about how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Then, have the children act out the story, taking turns playing the part of Jesus and riding the donkey while the other children wave their palm branches and shout "Hosanna!"

    Hosanna signs: You could have your kids make signs with the word "Hosanna" written on them. Talk about what the word means (it's a Hebrew expression of adoration and praise) and how the people of Jerusalem shouted it as Jesus rode into the city. Have the children decorate their own Hosanna signs with glitter, markers, and stickers, and then wave them as they reenact the story of Palm Sunday. It could be a lot of fun.

    Cloaks: (Note: You may neeed to explain what a “cloak” is.)Talk about how the people of Jerusalem spread their cloaks on the ground for Jesus to ride over. Have your kids bring in a spare cloak or jacket from home and spread them on the ground to make a "carpet" for someone to walk over. Talk about how this is a way to show honor and respect for someone.

    Stones: In Luke 19:40, Jesus said that even if the people stop praising him, the stones will cry out. Collect some small stones and have the children paint them with Hosanna or other praise phrases. Discuss some ways about how they might join with creationn to praise God.

    Bread: Talk about the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion. Pass around some bread and have the children break it apart and share it with each other, just as Jesus broke bread with his disciples. You could use a loaf of bread or find some unleavened pita bread. Note: Different denominations have unique approaches to the Lord’s Supper. (Do check with your pastor if you plan on reenacting the Lord's Supper!)

    Crosses: Make small crosses out of twigs, craft sticks or palm branches. Talk about how the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem eventually led to his crucifixion on the cross. Have the children make their own crosses and decorate them with symbols of faith, such as a heart or a cross.

    Flags: Provide some fabrics and craft sticks to make flags. Talk about how flags can be used to show loyalty or unity, such as when people wave flags at a parade. Have your kids create their own flags with symbols of their faith (Bible, Bread, Wine, Holy Spirit fire, living water etc.) or the word "Hosanna" on them, and wave them as they act out the story of Palm Sunday and the Triumphal entry