A Joyful Celebration
Theme: Praising Jesus on Palm Sunday
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
Get Ready: Click here to get your complete supply list for this lesson.
The Children’s Sermon
You’ll Need:
● Pom poms - one per child
Before you begin, explain to kids that every time they hear the word “celebrate” or
“celebration” they are to cheer and shake their pom poms.
Do This:
SAY: I really enjoy a great celebration (demonstrate), don't you? What are some
things that people like to celebrate? (demonstrate) A birthday party...a holiday...or
a sporting event? How do they celebrate? (demonstrate), Well, one way people
celebrate (demonstrate) is by making a lot of noise.
This morning, let's have a celebration (demonstrate). Let's celebrate (demonstrate)
that we are here today to worship and praise Jesus. Let's all give three cheers for
Jesus by saying “Hip, hip, hooray” three times. Are you ready? (Pause) Here we
go! "Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!"
Wow! That was great, and I think this is a good day for us to celebrate
(demonstrate) Jesus, because today is a very special day. Today is Palm Sunday.
It’s a day when we remember how people celebrated (demonstrate) when Jesus
entered into Jerusalem on a Sunday around two thousand years ago. You may
have already heard the story, but let me tell it again.
Jesus was walking with His disciples toward Jerusalem. As they came near to the
city, Jesus told two of his disciples to go on ahead into the town. He told them
that they would see a young donkey tied there that had never been ridden. "Untie
the donkey and bring it to me. If anyone asks you what you are doing, tell them,
'The Lord needs it. He will send it back to you soon.' "
The disciples did what Jesus told them to do, and it happened just as He had told
them. They found the young donkey, untied it, and started to lead it away. Some
men were standing nearby, and they said to the disciples, "Where are you taking
that young donkey?" They told them what Jesus had said, and the men let them
take the donkey.
The disciples brought the young donkey to Jesus, and they put their coats on it to
make a soft place for Jesus to sit. As they made their way into the city of
Jerusalem, people went ahead of Jesus shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who
comes in the name of the Lord!" Others followed behind, and they were also
shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!" All the while,
people lined the streets cheering and waving palm branches.
It was a wonderful celebration (demonstrate) , as people cheered loudly for Jesus.
Just as those people celebrated (demonstrate) two thousand years ago, we have
come here today to celebrate (demonstrate) Jesus. What better day to do that
than on Palm Sunday? The Bible says, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
PRAY: Dear God, we celebrate today just as those people celebrated in Jerusalem
two thousand years ago. This is the day that You have made; we will rejoice and
be glad in it! In Jesus' name, amen.
Bible Interactive Experience
You’ll Need:
● “Psalm 145 Poster” - one per group
● Highlighters
● Bibles - one per child (or group)
Do This:
● Divide the class into small groups.
● Give each group a “Psalm 145 Poster” print-out and a few highlighters.
● Invite kids to also turn to Psalm 145 in their Bibles and read silently along with
you.
● Read Psalm 145 aloud to the small groups, and invite them to highlight phrases
that show praise in this Psalm.
ASK:
● What was the most amazing thing you learned about God in this Psalm?
● Tell us why you thought it was so amazing.
SAY: There is no one as great as our God. We can learn more about how great
Jesus is as we learn more about God. No wonder Jesus deserves such praise!
Lights, Camera, Palms Video
You’ll Need:
● “Lights, Camera, Palms” video lesson
● Something to play the video
Do This:
Show them the video.
ASK:
● What do you think about Jesus using a donkey to carry Him through the
street?
● If you had been there on the real Palm Sunday, what do you think you
would've been doing or saying?
Complete Supply List:
● Pom poms - one per child (optional)
● “Psalm 145 Poster” - one per group
● Highlighters
● Bibles - one per child
● “Lights, Camera, Palms” video lesson
● Something to play the video
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