Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem. Mark 11:1-10 Lesson plan

 Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King                                       For kids ages 2-8

Review: we’ve been talking about prayer and how we worship God. One way we worship is prayer and another is worship with our lips and hands.

Need a stuffed (puppet) lamb and leaves coats,a horse,  Popsicle sticks and glue.  

This week we’re going to talk about praise and worship.

Memory Verse: "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psalm 63:4 NIV

Who knows that holiday we celebrate this month? (Easter)  why do we celebrate Easter? Well we celebrate Jesus coming dying on the cross and paying for our sins. Making a way for us to go to heaven. We’ll be talking more about that in the weeks leading up to Easter but today we’re going to talk about something that happened a week before Jesus died on the cross.

Before we do who can tell me who is Jesus? Why did Jesus have to come?

For this part of the lesson I cut out pictures of God, Adam and Eve, also blobs in black construction paper to represent sin and red to represent the blood of Jesus, a little lamb and several cut outs of Jesus.

 In the beginning God made a man and a woman but they sinned and now they couldn’t be with God because Sin was in the way (black construction paper). This made God very sad because he loves us but now every child they had now had sin in their hearts and they couldn’t be with God. People had to sacrifice animals to cover their sin. But God still wanted a relationship with us so he taught us through the bible and he promised that he would come and make a way for us. He would pay so we could have a ticket to heaven. A lamb could only cover sin but it didn’t take it away. God wanted us to be with him forever so he was going to have to get the greatest lamb of all Jesus he was going to have to pay for us. So when Jesus came he showed us he’s love and power.

What did he do? He healed the sick, brought people back to life, he feed them and did great miracles but our sin was still in the way. God can see our hearts and he knew that for us to be with him he had to remove the sin. 

now the week before Jesus died he went to Jerusalem to celebrate the pass over because that’s where the temple was (church). But before he entered the City he told his disciples to do something 

Mark 11:1-10New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

From Oriental Trading

11 As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. ² He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Just as you enter it, you will find a donkey’s colt tied there. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. ³ Someone may ask you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ If so, say, ‘The Lord needs it. But he will send it back here soon.’ ”

⁴ So they left. They found a colt out in the street. It was tied at a doorway. They untied it. ⁵ Some people standing there asked, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to. So the people let them go. ⁷ They brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats over it. Then he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their coats on the road. Others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those in front and those in back shouted,“Hosanna!”“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:25,26)¹⁰ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Discussion Questions: (From http://www.kidssundayschool.com/1633/preschool/2015-2016-curriculum-schedule.php)
 

For younger kids. from Oriental trading 

So even before his disciples got their Jesus knew what was going to happen. He told them to go in and get a colt so he could ride it into the city.

1.     What kind of animal did Jesus tell two of His disciples they would find in the village? (Donkey colt.)
2. What did the disciples of Jesus do with the colt? (Put their cloaks on it and brought it to Jesus.)
3. Had anyone ever ridden the colt before? (No.)
4. As Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem what did people put on the road in front of Him? (Their cloaks and, branches they had cut in the fields.)
5. What did the people shout as they followed Jesus? (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!)
6 . Were the people happy to see Jesus? How can you tell? (Yes. They shouted praises to Him, and they put their cloaks in the road as a sign of worship.)
7. What are some ways we can praise Jesus? (Allow for answers. Then make sure the children know that they can also worship God through prayer.)  

 This people that saw Jesus coming knew who he was and they worshiped him like they would worship a king. They cut down branches so he wouldn’t step on dirt and rocks but on their coats and branches. The people sang praise to Jesus. Even today we need to worship and sing praises with our lips and our hands. We may not cut down branches to lay at Jesus feet but we can lift up our hands to worship him as we sing praise to him.

image from

lovenloot.blogspot.com

Memory Verse: "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psalm 63:4 NIV

From Oriental trading 

For this lessons craft we made praise branches by tracing our hands in green construction paper then cutting and pasting them on a Popsicle stick. We also did a craft from oriental trading as well as some leis they sold there. 

Some Coloring Sheets for younger kids from

freefuneaster.com

Fun snack idea from

Small Things With Love

Fun Snack from

Happy Home Fairy

Heavenly Homes Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven lesson idea

Heavenly homes                                    (for Children ages 5-8)

  1 Corinthians 2:9New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁹ It is written that“no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human mind has known.” (Isaiah 64:4)
    God has prepared these things for those who love him.

This lesson teaches that Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven. He will return one day and we will be with Him in Heaven.as Christians we need to look forward to the day approaching of us going to Heaven but at times we’re filled with questions. It’s important to understand that Jesus gave us a clear picture of the wonder and beauty we will find in heaven. It’s a place filled with wonder, beauty and love.

      For this lesson I had a table prepared with treats and little Party favors and cupcakes. This helps to understand that I was planning and preparing for their arrival to my class. Like Jesus is preparing their arrival in heaven.

      To being this lesson we’re going to bring in mind a time where we look forward to going somewhere -a trip or vacation. Studies show that if a child connects two things together in their mind they can relate to it better but it also has more meaning.

Jesus is preparing a place for us

How many of you have ever taken a trip or vacation? Where were you going? What were some of the thing some of the things you did to get ready? How many of you were going alone? (Most of us take a trip or vacation with love ones).

   I know when taking a trip I wonder of all the great things we’ll do and all the fun we’ll have. I’ll wonder of what we’ll see!! And I’m waiting for the day we’ll go!

Well how many have every given a gift to someone? Don’t you look forward to them seeing it? Especially if it’s something you made!  You know all the time and effort you put in to making it. You know what that person likes and you can guess how much they’ll like and enjoy what you’ve made. (This could be a craft you made or a special meal or a surprise party you helped to decorate.) here I presented a wood model of a castle from Micheal's to show heaven and Jesus is looked excited for us to see it too!.

Jesus preparing a place for us

Well we’ve learned from our bibles that when Jesus came he paid the price for us to go to heaven it’s kind of like when you’re parents pay for a ticket for you to go into a theme park or event. They don’t have to pay, and the event maybe very expensive but your parents planned, saved and paid for you to go so you could be there together! They love you and want you to enjoy this event. Well in a bigger way Jesus came, he planned waited and paid the price so we could go in to heaven! On our own we could never pay but Jesus could so that’s why he came teaching us how to live he then died and rose again. When he was raised he stood on a mountain and told us to go and tell others everything he taught us, and telling them that Jesus is lord and savior that paid the way for us. He was then taken up on a cloud to prepare a place for us!  Before he left he told us things we’ll see and how we’ll feel! But its beautly must be seen to believe.

1 Corinthians 2:9New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁹ It is written that“no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human mind has known.” (Isaiah 64:4)
    God has prepared these things for those who love him.

Sometimes we can have questions but Jesus said in

John 14:1-4New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also. ² There are many rooms in my Father’s house. If this were not true, would I have told you that I am going there? Would I have told you that I would prepare a place for you there? ³ If I go and do that, I will come back. And I will take you to be with me. Then you will also be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

In a way it’s like coming to a new house and your parents already had a room ready for you with everything you love but much better! In heaven there’s no fear or pain but theirs peace and love so should we be afraid? It’s a happy a fun place that he made just for you!  What does Jesus mean when he says theirs many rooms? What it Jesus saying? Is he sending you alone? No, all those that have accepted will be there, we’ll be there together. And we’ll have a special place for us ready. We know that Jesus doesn’t lie so we can trust on what he says.  Jesus said that he’ll come back for us (like picking us up) and he’ll take us. Imagine how excited he is to show us everything he made us!

   So what do we have to do? Well we need to prepare our hearts. First of all we need to accept the ticket he paid for us. We have to obey and follow his teachings and commandments and tell others the way so they can get in with us!

  Do you have your ticket? It’s not a ticket you have in your hand but a ticket in your heart. Let’s pray to make sure we have this ticket ready. Lead the children in a prayer accepting Jesus in their hearts.   

For today’s craft we’re preparing a little house like the one Jesus is preparing for us. Because Jesus is the maker of everything we can know that it’s the most beautiful thing we can ever imaging!!

I bought these little bird housing in Michael's for $1 each and the jewels I purchased at Wal-Mart the clear and colored jewels were roughly $11-13 each. I also had glitter and other accessories the kids could add to their home.

 after the project I took the houses home and put a coat of Mod Podge to help the paint stay better.

Sharing your blessings Romans 12:13 lesson idea

Sharing your blessings                           (For Children Ages 5-8)

Memory Verse Romans 12:13 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

             ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.

  In addition to the memory verse the scripture we used in our lesson with the children that we read and then broken down was Acts 2:42-47.

      To begin the class I often do a review on what they learned the lesson before. When you’re with God (on his team) He blesses you. Not because we’re good but because we love and obey him.

   

      So why does Jesus bless us? Is it so we can keep all the blessings? Is it so we can be puffed up and show others that we’re blessed?  (No)

   

     To understand what we’re trying to explain to the children I told the elephant story before beginning with my lesson.

    

The story is of an elephant (puppet) .Before we began I had the kids name the puppet for this story. Maddy the Elephant walked to the river every day for a drink of water but one day she found a bucket and she took it along so she could store water. Everyone thought she looked strange because she was carrying a bucket. But she didn’t mind she wanted to be prepared. Soon she found a backpack “hmmm, I can store my things in here!” she thought so she carried it to. Soon she found a blanket “hmm, I can take this with me for when I get cold!” and she put it in her backpack. After a while she found a pillow “this pillow will work great for when I take my naps”. Here I had the elephant pick up several other things a brush, book, hat, snack etc. soon the

Maddy the Elephant meets her friend who was cold and asked if he could borrow her blanket “No, this is my blanket! I need it for when I take a nap”  Maddy didn’t think on how he was cold she just thought of herself and her things. Maddy soon encounters several other animals that want to borrow things in which she refuses.  Soon no one speaks to Maddy not only because she’s selfish but because she’s always worried about her things.

One day a circus pass through the forest wanting to capture the animals for their shows. All the animal’s run away but Maddy can’t because she’s weighted down by her things. Maddy is Captured, as Maddy sits in a cage weighed down by her things some children come by and see that she can escape if only she would leave her things, She could fit in between the bars. Maddy then leaves her things and escapes. The moral of the story- selfishness pushes people away and you soon become trapped by your possessions.

    Why was Maddy captured? (She couldn’t escape because of her big bag) what Kept Maddy in  (her things)  what mattered more to Maddy he friends or her things? (Her things)

   In the story Maddy was worried more about her blessings than her neighbors or their needs. And we have to take care that we don’t become distracted by our own blessings that we don’t see the needs of others.

    

     Why do our Parents bless us (because they love and care for us) does God bless His children too? (Yes). God wants us to take care of the blessings He gives us but he also blesses us so we can bless others.  

  

 Here Silly Willy a good little helper (Dragon puppet) who’s blessed with more and more small bag of chips. That I meant for him to pass out to the children but instead of passing them out he joyfully stacks them in a pile and tells all the kids how blessed he is with so many bags of chips! He asked the kids if they have any in which they say no. but instead of passing out the chips he starts to eat them without seeing the needs of others. I then tell Silly Willy that I meant for him to pass them out not to keep them. He starts to pass out the half eaten bag and saving the rest for himself. What should Silly Willy do? Should be build a big storage for his bags of chips? No he should look to the needs of others as a good steward. Like him we need to give and care for others needs.

    But what if we really like and enjoy the blessings do we still need to care for others? (yes) should we give only what we have left? (no) or what we don’t want or need ?(no)

 Read the story of the giving tree By Silver Stein. In this story the tree doesn’t give what she has left but all that she has because she loved him. She saw his needs and gave what she had so his needs would be met. Most of the time the boy was ungrateful and didn’t say thank you but she kept on giving because it made her happy because she loved him. likewise we  give to others and sometimes they won’t be thankful but we still need to give. In the end we live with joy because we met the needs of others.

 

 In our verse Acts 2:42-47New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

The Believers Share Their Lives Together

⁴² The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared their lives together. They ate and prayed together. ⁴³ Everyone was amazed at what God was doing. They were amazed when the apostles performed many wonders and signs. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together. They shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold property and other things they owned. They gave to anyone who needed something. ⁴⁶ Every day they met together in the temple courtyard. They ate meals together in their homes. Their hearts were glad and sincere. ⁴⁷ They praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

     In our verse of the day people are accepting Jesus. People begin to fear and worship god and God does great miracles. The people begin to live near one another. They were all the same not separated by class (possessions) they were selling everything and gave one another based on their needs. They had the same heart. We see they were at church in each others homes and shared food. They were no longer distracted by their things but loved one another. Everyone around them began to love them and God gave them favor.

As Christians we need to love one another. We shouldn’t be distracted by our blessings that we can’t see the needs of others. God blesses us so we can be good stewards and care for others.    

Craft idea for this lesson on sharing your blessings the children learned that God blesses us because He loves us but He also blesses us so we can bless others. God places things in our hands and as good stewards we need to meet the needs of others. 

  After the lesson and the story the giving tree by Silver Stein the children created their own giving tree. Their fruits were the fruit of love, kindness and selflessness which meet the needs of others.

  

The 3d trees we used are from the Lakeshore learning store. the hearts we used are self adhesive hearts from our local Dollar Tree store. 

Simply interlock 2 boards to instantly create a sturdy canvas for decorating with paint, markers, collage materials & more! Set includes 40 boards make 20 freestanding trees. Each is 8 1/2" tall.

item# PP286