LESSON 1: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus

After completing this Easter Sunday school lesson, the children will discover that Jesus deserves our worship and praise because of who He is and what He came to earth to do for us.

TOPICS

Easter, Palm Sunday, Worship

AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)

Blessed is He (Puzzle) Click here

OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)

Further info? Click here

MEMORY WORK (12 minutes)

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Hosanna in the highest heaven.” Matthew 21:9b
Divide the class into three groups. Have the first group say, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Then, the second group will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Next, the third group will say, "Hosanna in the highest heaven.” Repeat several times while alternating the part each group recites.

SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

Introduction:
Have you ever been in a place where someone famous was going to perform, perhaps a concert or a ball game? What did you do when the famous person finally arrived?

Every year the Jewish people celebrate Passover to remember the time God protected them from death during the tenth plague on Egypt. After that plague, the Pharaoh of Egypt freed all the Israelites from slavery. One year, as the people came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast, they heard that their special King was also coming, so they all went out to the road to praise Him. How do you think they reacted when their King arrived?

Read Matthew 21:1-11 (The Triumphal Entry)

Discussion Questions:
1. What did Jesus say his disciples would find in the village? (Donkey and her colt.)
2. How did the disciples prepare the donkey for Jesus? (They laid their cloaks or clothes on them.)
3. What did the crowds spread on the road before Jesus? (Some laid cloaks, others branches.)
4. What did the people shout? Why did they do this? (They shouted Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! because they were full of joy.)
5. If you were among the crowds, how would you have shown your joy when you saw Jesus?
6. Why do you think Jesus was riding on a donkey? Why not a horse? (To show humility.)

CLASS EXERCISE (15 minutes)

One Boy’s Donkey (Skit) Click here

ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (5 minutes)

Why Do We Praise God? (Activity) Click here

APPLICATION (2 minutes)

Jesus performed many miracles. The news about how He healed many, and His remarkable teachings spread quickly. The people believed Jesus was the Christ, the one who would rise to power and free the people from the hardships placed on them by the Romans. So they shouted praises of joy when they saw Him. Little did they know the reason Jesus came to earth was to free the people not from the Romans, but from their sins. Jesus offered the gift of everlasting life.

That gift is for everyone who hears the Word of God and welcomes Jesus into their hearts. Now that calls for shouts of praise. Hosanna! Save us Now!

NEXT WEEK

For another free and exciting Easter lesson to help the kids learn about the forgiveness of Jesus, check out our Good Friday Easter Lesson - Jesus Dies on the Cross. Click here

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

Further info? Click here

TAKE HOME PAGE

Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV [PDF]