The students will be able to tell of the praise and honor Jesus received when He rode into Jerusalem and ways we, too, can praise and honor Him.
Introduction: Bring a large piece of paper and a broad tip marker pen to class. Begin your teaching by writing in large letters the word HOSANNA. Ask your students if any of them know what the word means. Explain that this is a Hebrew exclamation of praise, and they will hear it used often when your Bible story for today is told.
Climax: Jesus was honored and praised by the great multitude as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. They rejoiced greatly, shouting Hosanna and cast garments and branches in the way.
Conclusion: We, too, must praise the Lord with all our heart.
Response: The class will be able to tell of the praise and honor Jesus received and they should tell of ways we can praise and honor Him.
Jesus knew that the time was at hand for Him to fulfill the mission for which He came to earth. He took His disciples aside and told them that He must go to Jerusalem; there He would be betrayed to the chief priests, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified, but would rise again the third day. They left the area on the east of Jordan, came to Jericho where Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus and dined with Zacchaeus and then went to Bethany. Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Many Jews came there to see Him and also to see Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
On the next morning when Jesus started for Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples to get a colt for Him to ride on in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. The people took palm branches in their hands and went to meet Him. The multitude praised the Lord and scattered their garments and the palm branches on the road before Him and shouted "Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem bore some resemblance to the entry of a king. The people would have scattered their clothing, palm branches, and no doubt have cried, "Long live the King." But a king would have had a royal chariot with a herald going before him and accompanying dignitaries and soldiers. The King of kings came just as the prophet had foretold, "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Jesus presented Himself to the nation as their promised Messiah, but a few days later they chose to reject Him when He failed to meet their expectations of an earthly king.
Special Instructions for Unit 31: Refer to Lesson 7b and 20a for additional ideas.
Have volunteers prepared to come to the front and illustrate ways we can praise God in our day; for example, through a song, testimony, giving out an invitation to church, reading a Bible psalm.
If you have access to a small helium tank this would be a fun review. Purchase enough colorful balloons for the whole department. Fill them with helium and tie a short string around the bottom (24 inches is about right). Secure them to a chair or something so they don't go to the ceiling! Have a permanent marker for each teacher. Use the balloons at first as a colorful backdrop for your review. Talk about how good they make you feel. Each color reminds you of something special God has given you (i.e., yellow: sunshine and happiness; pink: flowers and rosy-cheeked children; blue: sky and blueberries). Tell the children a super way to say thank you would be to write a praise to Jesus. Have each teacher take as many balloons as he has students. They should gather their students around them and write a short praise of the students' choice. Give the children a few examples to start with: Praise Jesus, Hallelujah, Jesus Is Lord, I Love Jesus. Then have all gather outside the nearest exit and at the count of three release their praise balloon and shout their chosen praise at the same time.
A favorite review for this lesson is the acting out of the Triumphal Entry. Set up some kind of props for a gate and make palm branches for all the children (patterns have been given in previous' Easter lessons). The children will enjoy the "parade," waving their palm branches and praising Jesus.
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