Palm Sunday

Drama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses the play Hosanna in the Highest Heaven by LD Mckenzie

Note about this play:
There is one speaking part, the narrator, a donkey named Danny. Other cast members play out actions as Danny narrates them. They can say them out loud in tableaux after narrative for each scene. Or in the middle during each scene. May depend on energy level of your kids.

Abbreviating the play for younger children
We used this play in 06 with a fair sized multi-age group. A five yr old girl was keen to be Danny. There was no way she could read all Danny's lines. Thinking quickly, we used only Scene 4 of the play, mainly acting along with me as adult narrator. The kids got quite caught up in deciding what kind of people (or animals) they would have been on the side of the parade route. We made simple costumes, then walked thru once or twice. Our Sunday school time is short, so we didn't have a lot of time before the grownups came downstairs for coffee and squares and to watch our play.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the script ahead of time
• Gather the materials

Materials List:

• Costumes and Props optional

Presentation

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Greet the children and Introduce yourself and any helpers that you have.

Open with a prayer. 

Dig- Main Content and Reflection: 

Hosanna in the Highest Heaven

Written by LD McKenzie.

Cast:
Danny the Donkey (Narrator), street dogs, Jesus, disciples, donkey owner, crowd, Pharisees

Props:
Palm branches (or tapered strips of long green construction paper), cloaks or coats, 2 real or fake potted plants to form city gates, city sign for 'Jerusalem,' sign for 'Temple' at other end of parade route, maybe temple mural on large paper taped to one end of room.

Scene 1: Approaching Jerusalem [Characters named can act out actions described as donkey talks.]

Danny:
There I was minding my own business. There was a lot of hoo haa in town, lots of visitors and travellers. Because it was the Passover holiday.

Then I heard some interesting news from other animals through the Twilight Bark. It looked like there was a parade coming to town. A bunch of men were coming into town over the hills to the east. And a large crowd was starting to follow them.

The street dogs said the leader was some kind of king. But they weren't so sure about that. They said he had no horse. He came on foot. I mean, come on, a king with no horse???!!!

They also said other humans were getting all crabby and whispering because this king kept doing tricks. Like making humans who couldn't see suddenly able to see. That's one thing I will never understand about humans. Why it bothers them when something nice happens to someone else.

[Danny stops talking. Attention diverts to small parade arriving at city gates. Could act out healing scene if you wish. Might need blindfold to dramatize healing of a blind man.

Jesus then calls one of disciples forward and either says out loud or in whispers for him to go find him a donkey.]

Scene 2: Sending for the donkey.

Danny: Next thing I knew, this shabby guy that smelled like fish started untying my harness.

My owner said, "What do you think you're doing."

The fishy guy said: "The Lord needs it, and he'll bring it back as soon as he's done with it."

Well, my owner must have heard the news on the Twilight Bark too, because he said no more. He just let the fishy guy lead me away.

Scene 3: Meeting the King

Danny: Soon I found myself in front of the one who must be the king. At least that was what the people were starting to chant. "Son of David,' they called him. David is one of their famous old kings.

The dogs were right. He didn't look like much of a king to me. He didn't have any armour. No chariot. No fancy robes. Just the most beaten up sandals you ever saw.

But I could see what everyone meant. There was something different about him. Something out of the ordinary and special.

Someone threw a cloak across my back. And then this Jesus guy climbed on. This kind of freaked me out because I'd never carried a rider before. But he gave me a gentle pat on the neck. I figured that meant I was supposed to start walking. So I did.

Scene 4: The parade begins.

As we passed through the city gates, a fairly large crowd had gathered on both sides of the street.

All kinds of people threw coats and cloaks down into the street for me to walk across. Truth be told, it was the softest path I'd ever travelled.

Other people cut down leafy palm branches. Some threw these into the street. Others waved them in the air like green flags of peace. Or victory.

And everyone was doing this cheer. They said:

"Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna to the Son of David.

Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Like I said, you never know about humans. I'm not sure what they were so whipped up about. Maybe they hoped this Jesus, this king, would help them to see again, like he did for the blind man. Or help them with whatever their problems were. At any rate, they were sure glad to see him.

Scene 5: Not all happy campers.

Danny: But I could tell not everyone in the crowd was thrilled to see him. I caught sight of some of the crossed arms, crabby whispering people. They had that look humans get when they want to kick a dog or smack a donkey. Not every human is like this. Not many, really. But there are always a few bad apples.

One of the crabby guys said:

"Teacher. "

(And here I thought he was a king, not a teacher.)

"Tell your disciples to stop." (Disciples, I think, were the fishy guys.)

But Jesus just said:

"If these people were silent, the stones would cry out."

And you know what? There was so much cheering and palm waving and hope in the air, I think he was right.

Scene 6: End of parade.

Danny: Then we did a turn around the temple. The king checked everything out. Finally he rode back out of town to the east with the 12 main fishy guys that started the parade.

Oh yes, he did hop off at the gates and send me back to my owner.

Even though he wasn't dressed fancy, this king sure knew how to put on a show. It was one parade to remember.

I heard on the Twilight Bark that there were some dark days ahead. The king died. I bet those crabby guys had something to do with it.

But then I heard people thought they saw him out and about even after that. They called it a miracle. And you could almost smell in the air the faint crushed green scent of the leafy hopefulness that had breezed through town during that parade.

I'll never forget it!

THE END

Closing:

Close with a prayer.

>>> This unit has TONS more ideas for arts, kitchen, games. For more info, click . here

 A lesson written by LD Mckenzie 

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Palm Sunday

Drama Workshop

Wormy Editor Note:
In the writer's church, this drama workshop lesson of "Palm Sunday Tableaus" was used to prepare a Palm Sunday presentation in the author's church service. It can be adapted to create a presentation that can be printed and made into a wall display. See notes below.

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses a freeze frame activity to learn about Palm Sunday.

Scripture Reference:

Mark 11:1-11

Leader Preparation:

• Gather a variety of props for the freeze-frame scenes: stick donkey, robes and other clothing, palm fronds, cloaks.
• Write the scene names on flip chart paper (see lesson) and tape them to the wall before class.
• Gather the materials

Materials List:

• NRSV Bible
• Book “Hosanna! The Story of Palm Sunday” by Patricia Nederveld 
• Props for freeze-frame scenes: stick donkey, palm branches (artificial), cloaks, robes, other costumes 
• Post-it flip chart (and extra tape)
• Markers 
• Digital camera and tripod and laptop computer with printer to view photos and print.

Presentation

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction
Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Make sure you are wearing your name tag and that the children are wearing theirs. Take a few minutes for the children to introduce themselves if appropriate.

• Briefly review the agenda with the kids. Say: We are going to create “freeze-frame” pictures of four different scenes of our Bible story. After we read the story, we will talk about each of these four scenes. Then you will get into costumes, choose props, and create these freeze-frame pictures as I read the story again. We are going to take pictures of the scenes and show them at the beginning of the 9:00 am service on Palm Sunday.

Dig- Main Content and Reflection

Bible Lesson:

• Introduce/review the lesson: This month we are learning about one of the first events of Holy Week, which is the week before Jesus died on the cross then rose from his tomb. Holy Week is the week before Easter. This month we are talking about Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus arrived in Jerusalem.
• Say: On the Sunday before Jesus was crucified, he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday of Passover with his Disciples. Many people would have been coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, so there was a considerable crowd present for Jesus’ entry into town.
• Say: Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival that commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
• Say: The four scenes we will create are (draw their attention to the four sheets of paper you have taped on the wall that list these four scenes):
  
  Scene 1: Jesus tells the Disciples to get the donkey (Mark 11:1-3)
  Scene 2: The Disciples get the donkey (Mark 11:4-7)
  Scene 3: The Disciples help Jesus get on the donkey (Mark 11:7)
  Scene 4: People praise Jesus as he enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:8-10)
• Say: As we read the Bible story, start thinking about what is happening in each of these scenes.

Read the story:

• Younger kids (preK-K): Read the book “Hosanna! The Story of Palm Sunday” by Patricia Nederveld(it will help the younger kids to see pictures of the scenes).
• Older kids (grades 1-5): Have them read aloud or follow along as you read Mark 11:1-11. Offer comments from this lesson. Explain the images, the opposition, Jesus' intentions. 
• Say: Now we are going to talk about what is going on in each scene, what it might look like, and what props we will need to create the scene. 
• Do the following for each of the scenes, one at a time:
• • Re-read the verses (for the younger kids, show the pictures in the book again). Encourage students to refer to their Bibles.
  • List the characters in the scene. —write them on the flip chart paper.
  • Talk about the actions and emotions that are going on. —write these down.
  • What kinds of props are needed for the scene? —write these down.

"Freeze Frame Scenes" Activity:

• Assign or let the kids chose the parts for each scene (it is possible that not every scene will require all of the students and/or some kids may be in more than one scene). You could write characters down on slips of paper and have the students pick out a piece of paper to determine their parts.
• Bring out the costumes and props and let the children chose what they will use. They will need to use their imaginations somewhat and also share costumes and props among the different scenes.
• Have the groups briefly practice each of their “freeze-frame” tableaus.
• Read each passage from the story aloud as they make their tableaus.
• The kids who are not in the scene should sit on the floor in front of the stage as the audience.
  
  For dramatic effect, you can have each group get on the stage, close the curtain, and get into position behind the closed curtain. Then have the shepherd open the curtain to reveal the scene as you read the Bible passage.
  
  If you don't have a stage curtain, have a spotlight that you turn on to signal "freeze" to the actors.
• Remind the kids that we are going to show these scenes to the congregation on Palm Sunday so we need a least a few good photos!
• Take a photo of each freeze frame with the digital camera. (Use the tripod if it’s easier.)

Next...

• Load the pictures onto the computer/laptop in the workshop room and look at them together. For each scene, ask a student to explain what is going on in the picture.
• Insert each photo into a PowerPoint presentation or WORD doc and Add Captions.

Life Application Adapation Added by Wormy the Rotation editor

Do a run-through to practice) the tableaus. Then have them do the tableaus again as you or a student reads the scripture.

Now, RE-DO each scene to modernize it: Where would Jesus "ride into your town"? What would your people wave? Where would he enter? What would he ride in on today? What type of KIDS might be opposed to Jesus and what words would they give to oppose him? Where would he go after the parade? What excuses would people give to NOT follow Jesus into Jerusalem? (You can write words on posterboard in large thick letters that become a "caption" in the tableau's photo, or add these words as captions in the alternate "printing" step described below).

Key points for the teacher to discuss while viewing:

• Scene 1 (Jesus tells the Disciples to get the donkey): What do you think that the disciples thought about these instructions?
• Scene 2 (The Disciples get the donkey): How do you think the disciples felt when the donkey’s owner confronted them? Is there anything that God asks you to do that makes you feel uncomfortable?
• Scene 3 (The Disciples help Jesus get on the donkey): Why was it significant that Jesus entered on a donkey?
• The donkey was a symbol of humility. In Bible times, kings and other powerful men rode strong horses to symbolize their authority. Jesus showed that he was a humble king by riding in on a donkey. He was a king with no need of a warhorse.
• Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey also fulfilled a prophecy Zechariah made nearly 500 years earlier.
• Zechariah 9:9 in the Old Testament says: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
• Scene 4 (People praise Jesus as he enters Jerusalem): Why did the people cheer for Jesus? What does “Hosanna” mean? Why did they wave palm tree branches?
• The words “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” come from Psalms 113-118. Young Jewish boys often memorized some of the Psalms in school. During the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, everyone marched around the altar daily for a week carrying branches and singing Psalm 118. The words that surrounded Jesus as he rode the donkey to Jerusalem would have been very familiar to everyone present.
• Hosanna means “Save us now.” The Jewish people had been waiting for a Messiah for 1000 years. At that time they were waiting to be saved from Roman rule by their Messiah. They thought that Jesus was this king that would save them.
• Laying palm or tree branches down on the road was a common Middle Eastern practice in ancient times to welcome a king or hero home after a victory.
  
  Finish by printing the photos and making a display.

A "FREEZE" closing added by Wormy the Editor:

As you speak this prayer, go around the circle of students. When you pause, shine your spotlight on that student to 'freeze' them in a pose that represents the idea, then continue reading. Practice with them and tell them which line they will be called upon to create their own 'freeze frame'. (feel free to edit the following!)

1. Jesus rides into our lives wanting to be our king, and it makes us wonder what having Jesus as our king will be like (pause for the first kid to 'wonder').
2. Some people are really excited that Jesus is our king, but others aren't so sure because he may ask them to change their lives. (pause)
3. Some people are outright HOSTILE to Jesus. They like their lives the way they are. They don't want anyone telling them what to do. (pause)
4. Some in the crowd have power and authority, and they are afraid Jesus will take away their power to lead others. (pause)
5. Other people can't wait to learn about the real meaning of life from the one and only Son of God. Their whole bodies are shouting Hosanna! (pause)
6. Jesus looks at the crowd and those who are trying to shout him down, and says, "You can't stop God. If you won't listen to me, God will make these stones start singing the truth! (pause)
7. Jesus rides into our lives looking for followers. Not many want to follow him all the way to the cross. After the parade, he knows he has to go it alone, all the way to the cross. Only Jesus can do what needs to be done. (pause)
8. Lord, give us faith to follow Jesus AFTER the parade. Give us the strength to ignore the opposition and the naysayers. (pause for everyone to freeze frame this one). Help us shout Jesus' name above the noise so that others will hear his wonderful good news (pause) ....that God has arrived! --ready to forgive, ready to redeem, and ready to teach. Amen.

 A lesson written by Bravo5

 A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Palm Sunday

Storytelling Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

This Storytelling lesson seeks to highlight (mostly by telling the story in three different ways) Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (using Luke's version that combines the parade with the clearing of the Temple). The lesson activities consist of watching a "movie" of the story (movie, here, refers to a "homemade" narration of slides - like a PowerPoint presentation). The second activity consists of putting on a play that mirrors the events of the scripture story using Popsicle puppets. To view all of this lesson, click on the underlined name of the attached file (at the bottom of this post). Included below is the puppet play script with some of the teaching comments (in first person) included.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 19:29-48

Full Lesson plan attached.

Tell

• Well done with listening to the story and answering the questions!
• To help see the layout of the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, we're going to watch a video now of this story.
• We don’t know for sure what entrance or road Jesus took to get into Jerusalem.
• So this video is a “what might have been” story regarding some of the details.

Watch DVD Video (to view video, click here and then click the "Click to View Movie Clip" link (link removed, video not working, also it requires flash - there are several video clips on YouTube of Jesus Entering Jerusalem to choose from in it's stead) .

Ask

• Did watching the video help you to think of what the city and Temple looked like?

Tell

• We’re now going to make our own movie.
• The characters needed are: Jesus, the disciples, the Pharisees and the Temple merchants.
• We’ll also need someone to hold the background of the city.
• (If need be, you can assign an “audience” part to the less than enthusiastic students).
• Our shepherd here will record our play (or maybe have a student help out here, too).
• So we’re going to go behind the screen, here.
• We’ll do a practice run through, where I’ll be the director, helping yall know what to do and when to do it.
• Once we get through the practice run, then we'll film it.

Practice then Record Popsicle Puppet Play

Popsicle Puppet Script

Characters: Jesus, Jesus on the donkey, the disciples, the Pharisees and the Temple merchants (Note: There is a "Storytelling Supply Doc. available at the same link as the video that has pictures for you to print out and use for the popsicle puppets)
Background: The city of Jerusalem; the Temple

Jesus: We’re going to Jerusalem!
Disciples: But there are people there that want to kill you!
Jesus: Yes there are. Go get me a donkey.
Disciples: Let’s not argue with him – he seems to know what he’s doing.
Jesus: The donkey will be over there [nod head of puppet left or right]
Disciples: What will be the donkey’s name?
Jesus: Dominic.
Disciples: Come here, Dominic, Come here!
[drop down Jesus puppet and replace with Jesus puppet on a donkey]
Jesus: You got him! Good job!
Disciples: Let’s tell God how happy we are for Jesus
Jesus: Let’s go to Jerusalem
Disciples: It’s a parade! Praise God! Hosanna! Thank you God for Jesus! WHEEEE!

[move disciples and Jesus toward Jerusalem]
[have Pharisees pop up]

Pharisees: YOU’RE TOO LOUD!
Jesus: We’re going to Jerusalem
Disciples: Hosanna! Praise God! We’re having a parade!
Pharisees: YOU’RE TOO LOUD!
Jesus: If they stopped praising God, then the rocks would celebrate God’s goodness!
Disciples: Hosanna! We’re having a parade! WHHEEEEE!
[pull down Pharisee puppets]
Jesus: Oh Jerusalem! God made you so good but instead of living God’s way, you live like these Pharisees.
Disciples: Wait...is Jesus crying? What happened to the parade?
Jesus: OK! We’re going to Jerusalem!
Disciples: Hosanna! Praise God! We’re having a parade!

[puppets arrive at city. Pull down city and put up Temple background. Pull down Jesus on donkey and put up the first Jesus puppet; put up merchants puppet]

Jesus: Let’s clean house!
Disciples: What? But we don’t wanna do chores!
Jesus: Alright you Temple merchants, get out of here! This is God’s house!
Merchants: We’re not going anywhere!
Jesus: You’ll go wherever your money goes.
Disciples: Whoa! Jesus is throwing the merchants’ money all over the place! AWESOME!
Merchants: Our money! Follow our money!
[pull down merchant puppets]
Jesus: Now it’s time to do some teaching about God!
Disciples: The parade is done?
Jesus: The parade is done.
Disciples: What do you think we should do with Dominic the Donkey?

THE END

For the full lesson download the attached Word document (found at the bottom of this post). Note that the first three pages of the document are background and that the actual lesson starts on page 4.

To view the other lessons in this lesson set click HERE for Science and HERE for Arts & Crafts. If you like these lessons, and are interested in more, visit www.rfour.org/curriculum.html.

A lesson written by Nathanael V. from: rfour.org

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Palm Sunday

Drama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Create “freeze-frame” pictures of four different scenes from the story. Add a fifth scene of how we praise Jesus (like the crowd) OR how we put other things before Jesus.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 19: 28-40

Lesson Objectives:

• Understand that anything you consider more important than God is idolatry.
• Consider how they can praise God.

Leader Preparation:

• Review Bible Background notes (sent as a separate attachment, not available here)
• Review the teaching tips for your particular station (sent at beginning of the year).
• Pray for the children and for your teaching of the lesson.
• Gather the Materials

Materials List:

• Bibles
• Box with: pens, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, tape Gluestick or tape Teaching Box
• Copy of the 10 Commandments (keep in the box—do not take)
• Copy of Key verse written large—print from the last page of Bible
  background
• Camera
• A laptop that you can download the pictures to
• Costumes
• Prop boxes
• Large pieces of paper labeled with each scene (see lesson)

Advance Preparation Requirements:

• Refer to the schedule and decide how you will make adjustments for the different ages.
• Print out the key verse
• Write the scene names on large pieces of paper (see lesson) and tape them to the wall before class

Presentation

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction

1. Guide (Shepherd) Activities—the guide will take attendance/acknowledge any birthdays
2. Introduce yourself to the students.
3. Open with a prayer.
4. Introduce the day’s story and the main learning purpose: Our Bible Story this Rotation is about Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week—the week that ends with Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection. In the Drama Workshop, we will be taking “freeze-frame” pictures of different scenes in the story.
5. Have them look at the timeline on the wall above the whiteboard and identify where on the timeline that this story occurs.
6. Catechism Connection (even if you do not specifically cover the first commandment, you could still talk about the idea of worshipping God vs. the idea of idolatry): Hold up the copy of the 10 Commandments.

Catechism Connection
The First Commandment:
You shall have no other gods.

How does this connect to the Bible story?
Our God is the one and only True God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, fair, loving, and faithful. God says we are to fear Him (respect, be in awe of), love Him, and trust Him (rely on His help) above ALL things. Unfortunately, sinful people do put other things before God—this is called idolatry. Idolatry is not just worshiping an animal or a golden statue. Idolatry happens when you consider ANYTHING more important than God: yourself, your family, sports and other activities, money, possessions. In our Bible story, the people of Jerusalem praise Jesus as the Messiah/Savior when He enters the city riding on a donkey. However, not everyone is praising Jesus (God the Son). The chief priests and Pharisees are looking for a way to kill Jesus. They are putting their own ideas and traditions and positions of power before God.

Dig- Main Content and Reflection

Introduction & Bible Story:

Please make sure that the students hear and “get” the Bible story as well as the application of that story to their lives. The Bible story is the MOST important part of the lesson—it is much more important than the activity associated with this station.

Say: We are going to be doing a “freeze-frame” picture of 4 different scenes in our Bible story. After we read the story, we will talk about each of these 4 scenes. Then you will get into costumes, choose props, and create these freeze-frame pictures as I read the story again. We will also do a 5th scene--how do we praise Jesus (like the crowd) OR how do we put other things before Jesus (like the chief priest and Pharisees).

The 4 scenes that you will be doing are (draw their attention to the 4 sheets of paper taped on the wall):

• Jesus Instructs the Disciples (v. 28-31)
• The Disciples get the Donkey (v. 32-34)
• People Praise Jesus as He enters (v. 35-38)
• Pharisees Confront Jesus (v. 39-40)

Say:  As we read the story, start thinking about what is happening in each of these scenes.

Have the students open the Bibles to Luke 19: 28-40. Read the story or have student volunteers read.

Say: Now we are going to talk about what is going on in each scene, what it might look like, what props would be needed, etc. Do the following for each of the scenes:

• Re-read the verses. Encourage students to refer to their Bibles throughout
• Who is in this scene—write this down on the paper
• Talk about the actions and emotions that are going on—write these down
• How could you show these actions and emotions in a “freeze-frame”—write these down
• What kinds of props would be needed—write these down

Activities: Freeze-Frame Story (scenes 1-4)
Assign the parts for each scene (it is possible that not every scene will require all of the students). You could write characters down on slips of paper and have the students pick out a piece of paper to determine their parts. Go to the closet in the hall so that the students can pick out costumes. Come back into the classroom and bring out the prop boxes and let the children pick out props. They will need to use their imaginations somewhat (we don’t have palm branches or a donkey) but there are probably some props that just aren’t appropriate for THIS drama lesson.

Have the students practice each of their “freeze-frame” tableaus. Read the story again as they make their tableaus. Take a picture of each freeze frame with a digital camera.

Freeze-Frame (scene 5: Worship or Idolatry)
Review the 1st commandment together--or talk about the general ideas of worship vs. idolatry. Tell them that they will be doing one more “freeze-frame”—demonstrating the 1st commandment (or worship vs. idolatry) and this Bible verse. Briefly go over the explanation from above again and ask a few questions: "How and where do we join in to praise God? How do we put other things before Jesus, which is idolatry?" Pull out the sheet of paper with the Bible verse and read it together:
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. –Psalm 33: 8

Explain that the word “fear” means to be in awe of God, not afraid like you would be of a bully. Help them brainstorm for a few minutes and gather props. Read the 1st commandment and the Bible verse as they create the tableau. Take a picture with the digital camera.

3. Reflect/Closure:
Load the pictures onto your computer. You will be showing the class the “freeze-frames” that they created. For each scene, ask a student to explain what is going on in the picture. Here are some questions that you could ask with each of the story scenes:

• Scene 1: What do you think that the disciples thought about these instructions? What might we be missing out on when we don’t listen to God because it doesn’t make sense?
• Scene 2: How do you think the disciples felt when the donkey’s owner confronted them? Is there anything that God asks you to do that makes you feel uncomfortable?
• Scene 3: How can we show our praise to Jesus? Where can we show that praise?
• Scene 4: Why did the Pharisees want the crowd to keep quiet? Were the Pharisees keeping the 1st commandment—and what is your reason for your answer?
• Scene 5: Read the Bible verse again. How would you put this into your own words? How are you showing this in this scene?

How might this story have ended--ask the students to imagine what happened after the Palm Sunday parade. What did Jesus do? What did Jesus and the disciples say to each other? Where did the crowds go? Did anyone from the crowd try to follow Jesus?

Closing:

End with a prayer.

A lesson written by Cathy Walz
Photo above by Maria Koukios, © 2014, used by permission.

We use a "diorama" workshop to help us tell the story.  I have posted more information on the use of dioramas here. This is the lesson we used for our Diorama Workshop for Palm Sunday.

Editor's Note: Member ZBCC describes a diorama as...

A three-dimensional miniature scene in which figures, toys, backdrops, or other objects are arranged to recreate a Bible story scene.

ZBCC also provided the following info about this workshop, which they call "Soul Stations"...

WHAT IS SOUL STATION?

“Soul Station” is a place where students travel back in time with their
imagination as they create interactive dioramas to tell Bible stories. Dioramas
are made with play figurines, paper, props, backdrops and other fun items
students will discover in this highly creative and hands-on station.

Palm Sunday

Diorama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Students will build a diorama to help them imagine the actual events of Palm Sunday. Children will walk away with a deeper understanding of the story. Middle/Upper Elementary students will also learn the slight variations between each gospel’s telling of the story.

Editor's Note: In the attached PDF (see end of lesson) are adaptations for this lesson for various ages, from preschool to middle/upper elementary.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 19:28-44
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture and background materials ahead of time.
• Gather the Materials

Materials List:

• Pen & Paper
• Brown Paper Bags (used for preschool group)
• Diorama supplies:
  • Ground Cover (possible cobblestone)
  • Jesus
  • At least 2 of the disciples
  • City gates
  • A large crowd of people
  • A donkey
  • Palm trees
  • Palm branches
  • City buildings
  • Stones
  • Religious leaders

Advanced Preparation Requirements:

See the attached PDF for variations in set up for different age groups.

For each age group, prepare the resources to tell the story. For Preschool & Early Elementary refer to instructions below. For older students, collect info about the four gospels, who wrote them, who the intended audience was for each author, and what makes them unique. (Ask your clergy for help).

Presentation

For Preschool & Early Elementary

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Welcome kids to Soul Station as they arrive. Hand out name tags and create name tags for any new students. Introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Dig- Main Content and Reflection:

Diorama Activity (30 Minutes)

Refer to the attached PDF for basic directions for this activity for this age group.

Tell the story using this (link removed no longer active).

Editor notes: Due to the story they used is no longer available, read from the scriptures or find a good children's version of the story that incorporates all three gospels.

Note: the following adaptions were made...

Preschool discussion:

• Have any of you ever seen pictures or a cartoon about a king or a queen? Can you tell me what kind of things a king or a queen have? Crown, fancy clothes, castle, etc
• The story we learned today teaches us that Jesus is a King. What kind of things make Jesus the very best King? He loves everyone, He heals the sick, He is God’s son, He is God, etc.
• Did you know that Jesus is still our King? Let’s all stand up and wave our hands in the air pretending that we are waving palm branches for Jesus!
• What kind of special things could you do this week to thank Jesus for being your King?

Extra time:

• Preschool aged children may have a limited attention span. Our focus at this age is to introduce a story and begin to teach them simple truths about God. Allow children to have free play time with the figurines and action figures.

Early Elementary Discussion:

• In fairy tales, what kind of things make a person a king or a queen? A castle, servants, fancy clothes, crown, throne, etc.
• The story we learned today teaches us that Jesus is a King. We didn’t see any castles and Jesus wasn’t wearing a crown but the Bible tells us that Jesus is the King of all Kings. What kind of things make Jesus the very best King? He loves everyone, He heals the sick, He is God’s son, He is God, He was sent by God, He rules over all of the earth, etc
• The Bible tells us that Jesus will reign as King forever. Right now Jesus is seated in His throne in Heaven but one day Jesus will be coming back to earth. At that time he will make the earth perfect and anyone who believes in Jesus and follows Him will get to be with Him forever!
• In the story, the crowds in Jerusalem waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna to praise Jesus for being their King. What kind of special things could you do this week to thank Jesus for being your King?

Prayer (2 Minutes):

Take a moment to thank Jesus for being our King. Have the class end the prayer by saying HOSANNA together!

Closing:

Encourage parents to work on the memory verse with their kids during the week.

For Middle & Upper Elementary

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Welcome kids to Soul Station as they arrive. Hand out name tags and create name tags for any new students. Introduce yourself.

Prayer (2 Minutes):
Take a moment to pray for your morning together. Ask God to help us imagine what it would have actually been like to be on the scene of the Bible Story. Ask God to teach us through His word.

Dig- Main Content and Reflection:

Team Story Reading (8 Minutes)

Students will be learning about the different details shown in each of the gospel versions of the Palm Sunday Story.

Assign app. 4 students to each gospel passage. As a team, have them read the story, paying close attention to detail and then recreate their scene through diorama.

Diorama Activity (30 Minutes)

Refer to the attached PDF for basic directions for this activity for this age group.

Give a 10 minute warning to wrap up the Diorama creations.

After teams are completed allow students to wander around the dioramas to point out what differences they see.

Say: We made Diorama’s about the Palm Sunday story found in different books of the Bible. Each of our stories came from a set of 4 books in the Bible called the Gospels. Each of the Gospels tell stories about Jesus’ life here on earth.

Ask: Can anyone name all four Gospels?

Say: Each of the gospels was written by a different author.

Have 4 different readers read the material previously collected about gospel differences.

Closing:

Encourage parents to work on the memory verse with their kids during the week.

Click on the "linked' (underlined) words below: "Soul Station Age Group Variations..." to download a file that includes directions for various age adaptations.

A lesson written by ZBCC from: Zion Baptist Community Church
Edmonton, Alberta

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Palm Sunday

A Storytelling Workshop Lesson Plan

Summary of this lesson activity:

The children will experience Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem through their senses. Themes will include praise by people and creation and also Old Testament prophecy. Follow-up discussion will focus on being witnesses.

Scripture:

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19

Memory Verses

Mark 11:9 - “Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” [NRSV]

Psalm 118:26 - “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.” [NRSV]

Objective(s)

Children will:

• Older children will locate the stories in their Bibles; Younger students will learn that the story is in the New Testament in the Gospels.
• Know that Jesus came to Jerusalem along with thousands of others to celebrate the Jewish Passover.
• Learn that Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem just a few days before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. This story begins the events of Holy Week.
• Discover that Jesus’ entry on a donkey signified that he was a humble, peaceful Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
• Understand the meaning of the word Hosanna; the people expected a king to save them. Yet the crowd misunderstood what sort of Messiah Jesus was.
• Consider how creation can praise God.
• Think about how they can be witnesses.

Leader Preparation

• Read the Bible Background.
• Read and prayerfully consider all four Scripture accounts and Psalm 118.
• Write the memory verse(s) on poster board.
• Create the journal pages for each child by printing the memory verse on 8 ½” by 11” paper, along with “Who?”, “What?”, and “Why?”
• Find artwork of the “Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem” in books, teaching picture files, or online, and print them or download them for a PowerPoint presentation, or purchase posters. Internet sources for online artwork include http://textweek.com/art/art.htm and a source for posters could be http://www.allposters.com/.
• Locate pictures of Herod’s Temple and Jerusalem in books or teaching picture files. An Internet search will provide plenty including https://www.biblestudy.org/bib...le-in-jerusalem.html and http://www.holylandnetwork.com/temple/model.htm.
• Arrange the room with comfortable seating, either at tables, in chairs, or on rugs or pillows on the floor.

Materials List

• Bibles
• CD player
• CD recording of “All Creatures of Our God and King” (the two suggested recordings have the traditional hymn arranged to a lively calypso/parade beat - you can preview them online at amazon.com and other websites):
  • Passion Worship Band. Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern. Six Step Records, 2004. ASIN: B0001BS3KW.
  • David Crowder Band. Illuminate. Six Step Records, 2003. ASIN: B0000C3I9N.
• Cymbals - or substitute cookie tins or metal popcorn cans
• Food:
  • flatbread or pita bread
  • raisins or dried figs
  • water
• Incense such as frankincense to represent what was burned in the Temple (Exodus 30:34)
• Incense holder
• Matches
• Napkins
• Palm fronds for everyone (Jade palm leaves are reasonably priced and not as scratch in little hands as some types of palms)
• Paper, 8 ½” x 11” white
• Paper cups
• Pencils or pens
• Pictures of Herod’s Temple
• Pictures of Jerusalem
• Poster board

Presentation

Open – Introduction

Open with prayer: “Spirit, fall on us today and open your Word to us. Amen.”

Ask the children: “Have you ever been so excited about something, you wanted to tell everyone?” [Maybe a vacation, a present, an award?]

What does it feel like to be so excited?

Whom do you tell and how do you tell them?

Today we want to relive the excitement of a day in Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. I hope that you feel so excited today after our lesson that you will want to tell others about it!

We are exploring Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is celebrated as Palm Sunday. Does anyone know what “triumphal” means? [Celebrating a victory]

Let’s begin by reading our Scripture. We find this story included in all four Gospels. Today we will read Luke 19:28-40.

Distribute Bibles to the group or ask the children to take out their own Bibles. Show the children how to open the Bible in the middle and then open the second half in the middle again. They should have opened the Bible to one of the four Gospels. Help them turn forward or back to Luke. Ask for volunteers to read, or read to the class.

I wonder what victory is being celebrated by this triumphal entry?

Dig - Main Content

Read the following script, adjusting to reflect local experiences, customs, and environment.

Today we will travel in our imaginations to Jerusalem on the day we just read about – the day Jesus makes his triumphal entry into the city. So sit comfortably and listen, feel, smell, taste, and see the events unfold on the day we call Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. Pretend you and your family live in Jerusalem ...

Guided Meditation Script

We have heard there is a teacher coming into town today. But he is more than a teacher. We have heard all sorts of amazing reports! He has done miracles. He has healed people. He has even raised a man named Lazarus from the dead! Lazarus is a friend of some of our friends, so we have heard that amazing story quite a few times. We are excited and want to see this man about whom we have heard so much. As is the custom, we eat a light meal to break the night’s fast. It is spring, so fresh fruits are not available; therefore we have some dried fruit with our bread and water before we head out for the day.

[Distribute water, bread, and dried figs or raisins to the children.]

[As the children eat, show them pictures of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, and continue with the script.]

It is a sunny morning, which is normal this time of year. In the distance we see the Temple. “The gleaming white marble of the edifice{is}visible from well outside the walls of the city. The scale of the building was deliberately designed to impress, and it dominate{s}the landscape to such an extent that it{is}the single unchallenged visual focal point of Jerusalem. Even the three great towers that Herod had built near his palace ... seem small{in comparison}.” [“Herod’s Temple” - Wikipedia]

The temperature today is about the same as it is in this classroom, maybe a bit cooler.

[Average high in Jerusalem in March is 60°F, in April it is about 70°F - msn.com weather.]

The Passover Festival is at the end of the week, so crowds of people have been arriving in town for days. (Think of all the crowds you have been in: maybe at a parade, a festival or fair, a football game, a rally, Disney World.) People are pressing against us. We head towards the city gate that we have heard the teacher will be entering – the Golden Gate on the east side of the city. People are pressing against you. Can you see anything, or are you too short? Are there too many people in front of you? Everyone is moving, pressing, waving. We go where the crush of the crowd carries us.

You feel excited at the thought of seeing someone who is so famous! Maybe he will stop and say something to you.

A breeze carries the smell of the incense burning in the Temple.

[Light the incense.]

The smell reminds you of the prayers that rise up to God like sweet perfume. You think about the upcoming Passover celebration, where after the lamb is sacrificed, you and your family will remember and celebrate how God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. You pray that someday soon God will send the Messiah to free the Israelites from Roman rule.

We hear the lambs that will soon be sacrificed baaing. But we quickly forget about them, because Jesus is getting close! If we could see through the crowd, maybe this is what we would see.

[Share the art prints of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry.]

A donkey! He is riding on a donkey? It reminds me of the prophecy of Zechariah.

[Read Zechariah 9:9-10 from the Bible.]

We hear the branches waving. We feel the slight breeze they create. People put branches and their cloaks on the road to welcome the king. We hear people shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

[Have the children shout the memory verse with you.]

What does Hosanna mean?

The people shouting reminds you of the Hallel, Psalms that you and the other students at the synagogue have memorized.

[Read Psalm 118:1, 22-29 from your Bible.]

I wonder where everyone gets palm branches from? Isn't it festive to see them waving? Look! Here are some palm branches. How would you wave yours?

[Give each child a palm branch and have them try waving slowly while standing still, jumping and waving, waving in time while shouting the memory verse, etc.]

It is so very noisy as Jesus passes. In fact, some of the Jewish leaders complain to Jesus: “Teacher, order your disciples and followers to stop this noise.” Jesus replies, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” [Luke 19:40]

I wonder what shouting stones sound like?

[Crash the cymbals or bang the cookie tins.]

What do you think? [Briefly discuss.] Why would the stones shout?

If people are shouting, and if even the stones could shout, I wonder what else could be wanting to shout and praise God their Creator today? [Discuss briefly.]

Here is a hymn by St. Francis of Assisi that may describe how all creation is worshiping the Creator today.

[Play “All Creatures of Our God and King.”]

After Jesus has passed, the streets quiet. People go back to their usual busyness and we head home, treasuring in our hearts all we have seen and heard.

Reflect – Closure

Discuss:

After a day like we just experienced, how would you feel?
What would you tell your family when you sat down for dinner that night?
Why were people so glad to see Jesus that day?
Who is Jesus?
Do we still cry out to Jesus “Hosanna! Save us now!”?
What is a witness? [Two slightly different meanings: a person who is present at an occurrence and a person who gives testimony about what he saw, heard, or knows by personal presence]
Is it possible to be a witness to something we did not see? Or that we only saw in our imaginations, as we did today?
Can you be a witness to others about how Jesus came to save us?
What can you say or do as a witness?

Journal:

Give the children the journal sheets with the memory verse as well as pens or pencils. Tell them to take some time to reflect on how they can be a witness. They are then to write whom they would witness to, what they would say or do, and why they feel called to be a witness to that person or group. Assure them that they will not have to share their responses.

Ask if anyone wants to share any thoughts or ideas or questions from their journaling time.

Pray for the children to be faithful witnesses this week. Let them take home a palm branch as a memento of the activity.

Adaptations

Younger Children - Instead of having them write their responses to the journaling exercise, younger children can dictate their responses to a teacher or older helper; illustrate their responses; or the class as a whole can discuss to whom, how, and why they would witness.

Older Children - Provide a printout of the words of “All Creatures of Our God and King” so the children can read along, and then further discuss ways all creation can praise God.

Sources

• Bouquet, A. C. Everyday Life in New Testament Times. New York: A Charles Scribner’s Sons Book, 1953.
• Cyberhymnal (2019 now called hymntime.com) with words to “All Creatures of Our God and King”: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/a/c/o/o/acoogak.htm
• Daily life in Ancient Israel: https://www.catholicculture.or...amp;searchid=2054809
• Jerusalem weather - type in Jerusalem - http://weather.msn.com/monthly...ocations=wc:ISXX0010
• Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. New York: Random House, 1991.
• Ward, Kaari, editor. Jesus and His Times. Pleasantville, New York: The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., 1987.
• Wikipedia online encyclopedia: Herod’s Temple - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...emple#Herod's_Temple (other information about ancient Jerusalem is available at this site).
• Scripture quoted is NRSV.

A Storytelling Lesson written by Amy Crane from: River Community Church
Prairieville, LA

Copyright 2014 Amy Crane. Permission granted to freely distribute and use, provided the copyright message is included.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Props and costumes and scenery for Palm Sunday dramas from Oriental Trading

Search their site for "donkey" and you will find several useful things:

Donkey - cardboard cutout 

A variety of donkey costumes, such as this one:

And you need palm trees. Search their site for "Palm Tree" and you find all sorts of trees, including:

Cardboard cutout

silk palm fronds

Need costumes? Oriental Trading has a entire page of Easter Pageant Costumes.

(I find Oriental Trading catalogs to be very inspiring!   

Palm Sunday "Parade of Distractions"

See the "Palm Sunday Parade of Distractions" children's sermon idea posted here at Rotation.org.

It is designed to be a skit that a youth group can perform for children at a children's sermon or for worship, but it could also be adapted as a Drama Workshop skit that the children themselves perform. Don't forget to videotape it!