Palm Sunday
As I write these resources, I am doing so with families in mind. However, that's not to say that you can't adapt these ideas to help you worship if you live alone, or are a group of adults who are young at heart. However you use this material, may God bless you this weekend xx
Getting ready - you will need:
means for playing music and/or watching YouTube videos
paper, pencils, pens, scissors, glue or sticky tape & a lollypop stick, drinking straw or pencil
Bible if you have one
Craft supplies (choice of three crafts)
1. paper & pens
2. paper, pens, wooden pegs
3. paper plate, craft paper, scissors, glue, pens or googly eyes
Do you know what the word 'hosanna' means? It comes up in today's story but is a word that was used in the Old Testament too. Discuss what you think it means?
Answer:
- The Hebrew word that we translate as hosanna was first used in the Bible to mean "Save us, please!"
- then it started to be used to mean "Salvation! Thank you!"
- and later was used as an exclamation of praise
For more info read
Opening prayer
Stand in a circle.
Turn to face around the circle.
Lay your hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you and pray:
Holy Spirit
please fill [name] today.
Amen
Worship
If you are with other people, split into 2 teams.
Every one starts this song crouching down.
Team A stand up to sing
"King of Kings & Lord of Lords"
while Team B stays crouched
Team B then stand up to sing
"Glory Hallelujah!"
While Team A go back down again.
Repeat this pattern throughout the song
Once you've got the hang of the lyrics, try singing it without the video, going faster and faster each time 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91r2ZVQyZkA
or use a different song of your choice.
There a also list of other worship suggestions at the bottom of this page.
Activity - Let's play parade
Lets play at having a parade! Take it in turns to be the person who is parading. You can be yourself or pretend to be someone famous (maybe dress up!). Tell the 'crowd' who you are and set off on your parade. Everyone else, line the 'streets' and cheer for the parading person. Wave hats, shout out how amazing they are, maybe try and get an autograph. Which of you can be the loudest fan?
Craft - palm leaves
draw around your hand on paper (any colour will do)
cut the shape out
stick it to a lollypop stick / pencil / drinking straw / wooden spoon
you can make your palm frond as leafy as you like
Bible Story - Palm Sunday
Read Luke 19:28-40
Drama
Can you act out the story?
Take some time to gather props & costumes.
Remember you'll need coats to lay on the road for Jesus to walk on.
Decide who is going to play who.
Use the hand/palm leaves you made, to wave in the Jesus parade
Further Bible Reading
For those of you who want to study the bible more, why not look under
Further Bible Reading at the bottom of this page?
Craft
I'm a bit over-enthusiastic about donkey related crafts, so here is a choice of 3 for you
Draw around your foot and follow this picture →
to help you turn it into a donkey's face
Draw the outline of a donkeys' body & head (use card or stiff paper if you have any) and use pegs for the legs
use paper plate, craft paper and googly eyes, if you have, them to create a donkeys face
Prayer
Do you know the game: "I went on holiday and in my suitcase I put"? It goes like this ...
Player 1: "I went on holiday and in my suitcase I put ... a pair of sunglasses"
Player 2: "I went on holiday and in my suitcase I put ... a pair of sunglasses and my passport"
Player 3: "I went on holiday and in my suitcase I put ... a pair of sunglasses, my passport and suntan lotion"
Lets play a praise version!
Player 1: "Praise God! He is ... an amazing creator. Amen"
Player 2: "Praise God! He is ... an amazing creator and wonderful friend. Amen"
Player 3: "Praise God! He is ... an amazing creator, wonderful friend and my saviour. Amen"
How long can you keep the praise circle going
Remember! You aren't just playing a game. You are speaking out praises to God - who He is, what He has done, what He does and still will do!
Worship to close
Song Suggestions
Further Bible Reading
Compare the Palm Sunday story in the 4 different gospels
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-26
Also look up Zechariah 9:9 (this bit of the Bible was written 518 years before Jesus was born!)
What differences do you notice? Why do you think they are there?
What one thing strikes you most in what you have read?
Have you got any questions you'd like to ask about this story?
What is God saying to you today?
Top Tips for Prayer
* Start with short easy prayers and pass the talking stick round to help you know whose turn it is.
(e.g. Dear God, please help me when I am upset. Amen)
* decide in your mind what your prayer is going to be before you start passing the talking stick around. That way you won't get flustered
* if a child isn't sure how to pray suggest a prayer for them and get them to repeat after you
(e.g. Dear God .... please help me .... when I'm scared of the dark .... Amen)
