Bible Passage

Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40)

 

Today is Palm Sunday.  Palm Sunday is the day when we remember and celebrate Jesus’ special entrance into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week – exactly one week before Easter Sunday.  Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. People waved palm branches and placed them on the ground before Jesus.  They even placed their garments or coats down on the ground.  It was like a parade.  The people were welcoming Jesus as a king.  Let’s watch the video and learn more about what happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-39h0xYqdE

 

Today is the first day of Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’ life before his death on the cross.  On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  People waved palm branches and put their coats on the ground to welcome Jesus as a King.  But he was a different kind of King.  Jesus was a King who would serve others.  He was a King of peace.  He was a King who would give his life for the sake of the whole world.  On Thursday, what we call Maundy Thursday, Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, he washed their feet, and he gave them a new commandment:  love one another.  On Friday, which we Good Friday, Jesus had a crown of thorns pressed on his head, carried his cross to Calvary, died on the cross and his body was placed in a tomb.  But that wasn’t the end of the story!  The best news of all was coming!  Easter is coming!

 

  • What’s your favorite thing in a parade?
  • Who rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday?
  • What did people wave and place on the ground in front of Jesus?
  • Would you have liked to have been at the first Palm Sunday? Why or why not?

 

Song

Sing It Hosanna.  Michael Mangan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XU0ptQH-eo

 

Words to Song:

Sing it! Hosanna! Sing it! Hosanna! Sing Hosanna to our King! Sing it! Hosanna Sing it, hosanna Sing Hosanna Jesus is our King Here comes Jesus riding into town Welcome him, come wave your branches round. This is the start of a totally new story. Jesus, our King is bound for glory. Sing it! Hosanna! Sing it! Hosanna! Sing Hosanna to our King! Sing it! Hosanna Sing it, Hosanna Sing Hosanna Jesus is our King. Let’s tell ev’ry one about our king. He can change our lives, He can do anything all you have to do is come and join our song Follow King Jesus as we sing along and…

 

Activity

Make a palm branch out of paper.  You can use green paper or white and color it green.  You can use a craft stick, straw, a ruler, a pencil, or something similar.  Watch the video below for the very simple instructions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNsjzeL7JNY

 

Activity

Since Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, take the opportunity to try some different foods from that region.  Take a look at the link below for some ideas.

https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/may-2016/popular-foods-from-israel

 

Prayer

God, for loving us so much that you sent your Son, Jesus.  At the start of Holy Week, help us remember that you love us so much that Jesus died on the cross, but he didn’t stay dead.  The best news of all came at Easter, which we will celebrate next week.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  Contact him at [email protected].