Palm Sunday and Holy Week

This week, we are learning about Palm Sunday, sometimes called the triumphant entry. It the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The account is found in all four gospels.

We will also reflect on some of the Holy Week events such as:

• The washing the disciple’s feet,
• The last supper
• and praying in the garden.

Palm Sunday – Lesson Guide

Began by talking to your children about a parade. If they have been to one, you could think about it, if not try to show a video. Maybe when the queen or the president visits a city. Ask them what they would shout out to a famous person.

Explain that the people shouted “Hosanna,” which means “Save.” Read Zechariah 9:9 together and show how the people recognized Jesus was the King who saves. Remind your child that Jesus came to save.

Ask your children to help you clean an area. Put out some safe cleaning supplies, such as water spray, clothes, sweeping brush, and so on. Thank them for helping you and read John 13:1-17 together, Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet. Speak about how Jesus took the place of a servant. Think of ways we can serve others.

If safe, have your child walk barefoot in the sand or on mud or grass. When they are finished, give them some wet wipes to clean their feet. Make it a competition to see who can make the dirtiest wipe. Remind the children that in Jesus’ day, most people wore sandals so their feet would become dirty. Share how Jesus came to wash our sins away.

Set up a special meal together. Ask your children to share some memories from the past. Explain that the Jewish people celebrated the Passover every year to remember how God saved them from Egypt. (You can use our plagues lesson for review). Have some bread and grape juice at your meal. Ask your child to break the bread. Share how Jesus said this would be like his body. Pour some grape juice into a glass. Share how Jesus said this would be blood. Explain that Jesus gave His life to save us.

Read Mark 14:32–50, Jesus prays in the garden. Share how it’s a good thing to pray about things that trouble us and to ask people to pray with us. Say how the disciples kept falling asleep rather than praying with Jesus.

Pour some drinks into cups. Some sweet fruit juice and a bitter green juice. Ask your child which they would like to drink. Share how Jesus asks God to take the ‘cup’ from him in Mark 14:36 but put God’s will first. Speak about how it’s always more important to do God’s will.

(Next week we will cover part 2 of Easter)

Free Printable Bible Story

Games and Activities

Pin the tail on the donkey

A classic party game. Draw or print out a picture of a donkey. Next, blindfold the first player and ask them to tape a paper tail in the correct place on the donkey.Keep taking it in turns to see who gets closest.

Palm leaves steppingstones

Cut out some palm leaves from recycled paper. Mark a start and finish line and have the children moving it across the room without touching the floor.

Remind them how the people lined the streets of Jerusalem so that the donkey’s feet would not get dirty.

Easter countdown Calendar

We often celebrate Christmas much more than we celebrate Easter. Why not make an advent type calendar for Easter. Each day during Holy Week put a small treat and a Bible verse into an envelope for your child to open. Encourage them to learn the memory verse each day.

Here is a great post for more ideas: https://justagirlandherblog.com/easter-activity-for-kids/

Worksheets

Bible Coloring pages – Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Palm Leaves Craft

What you need:

• Paper (Green or white)
• A Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue
• A strip of cardboard

What to do:

1. Draw around your hand onto the paper. Do this as many times as you want. The more hands the bigger the leaf.
2. If using white paper, colour the paper before cutting out the hands.
3. Glue hands together to make a palm shape. Glue a strip of cardboard on the reverse.

Recommended links and videos

Videos

• God’s Story: Palm Sunday – Crossroad kids – https://youtu.be/lTmbTuutBgg
• The Story of Easter (The Triumphal Entry) – Saddleback kids – https://youtu.be/z-39h0xYqdE
• ABCJesusLovesMe: Jesus Washed the Disciples’ Feet – https://youtu.be/jb0_7m3GMuk

Songs

Cloaks and Branches – https://youtu.be/5jtDqKkdS1M
Ho-Ho-Hosanna – https://youtu.be/P63J6hngPXM
Hosanna Rock – https://youtu.be/96pcmyyHaZk

Download the lesson

Translations