Children's session

Read Bible notes on Mark 11:1-11

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. The symbolism of the colt – rather than a horse – signifies peace and emphasises that Jesus has come to serve others as king, and is not interested in earthly power or war.

What is the significance for you in your own life of Jesus the servant king, coming in humility and bringing peace?

Some children will be very familiar with this story, others will not, so as well as retelling the story, the focus is very much on Jesus as a king bringing in God’s kingdom.

Don't forget:
Activity and colouring sheets
Thrive: A resource to encourage family faith at home.
Plus: Songs, Prayers, Images
and links to templates and other online resources.

What is a king like? W A

You will need: a list of words to read out or print and place round the room.

• Create a list of words to describe what a king is typically like/treated like: powerful, rich, grand, wears fine clothes, people bow, has servants… Also have some words to describe Jesus: servant, lives simply, helps others, humble…
• Children decide which words describe a king. The words left describe Jesus.

The king is coming  W E

You will need: if relevant, you might like to have some images of the Coronation of King Charles III.

• What might it be like to meet a king?
• How would you prepare?
• What would you say and wear?
• How would you greet them and how would you feel?

Read the story and pause at the  to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)

Click on the image to view a PDF. Once loaded you may need to click on the three dots in the top right to view it as a 2 page spread.

Stop and share

A colt is a young donkey. You would usually expect to see a king on a horse.

A Hebrew word usually used to mean ‘Praise’, but it actually means ‘Save us, please!’

David was the king in the Old Testament and Jesus is from his family.

Palm play W E

You will need: script (see below), cloths, branches – real or made from paper.

• Use the script to act out the story. There are parts for: two disciples, some bystanders and the crowd.

Script

Act out the story with Jesus, two disciples, some bystanders and the crowd. 

Narrator/Leader: Jesus and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. They were almost near enough to hear the noise of the pilgrim crowds in the city. Jesus sent two of his disciples on ahead, and they went, his surprising words echoing in their minds. He had said: 

Jesus: Go into the next village and, as soon as you enter it, you will find tied up a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. If anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’

Narrator/Leader: So they went off and found a colt in the street, tied up near a door. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them:

Bystanders/crowd: What are you doing, untying the colt?

Disciples: The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.

Narrator/Leader: They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then the disciples brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks on it and he sat on the animal.

There was a crowd of people and many of them spread their cloaks out on the road in front of Jesus, while others laid down leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And these pilgrims sang their ancient song: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’.

Crowd/bystanders: Hosanna! (throw down cloths and wave branches)

Narrator/Leader: And in these words, they heard the cries of the prophets of old. Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked around at everything, and as it was late, he went to spend the night at Bethany with his twelve disciples.

• Get the children to pair up and make sure they have a set of different coloured counters to their partner. Explain that the aim is to cover all the pictures to be able to set off to Jerusalem. Each picture/word is numbered 1-5, and the aim is to collect all five.
• Throw the die in turn and cover the relevant picture with a counter.
• If a six is thrown, uncover one image. The first to cover all five images is the winner and places a counter on Jerusalem.

or

Welcoming the King W S

Make palm branches to celebrate the King

You will need: green paper, felt pens, scissors.

• Cut out some palm leaves for the children.
• Children write ‘Hosanna’ and ‘King Jesus’ on their leaf,
  and add their own words to praise Jesus.
• Use one of the song suggestions and invite the children to wave leaves and call out words of praise
  for Jesus.

Stubborn as a donkey W A

Reflect on the significance of the donkey

You will need: information about donkeys.

• Explain that donkeys are often described as being stubborn. Do the children know what that means? Behaviour that seems stubborn can be because they are scared.
• Share some information about donkeys to use in the form of a short quiz. Or try this ready-made one.
• Reflect together: Why did Jesus choose to ride a donkey?
  I wonder if the donkey Jesus rode was scared or appeared stubborn? The Bible doesn’t suggest it was, even in the big crowd. Why might that be?

Talk together and talk to God

Discuss the theme, then bring your thoughts together in prayer

• Have you ever been in a big crowd waiting for something exciting to happen?
• What do you think the people thought, about seeing Jesus arriving on the donkey?
• Why do you think Jesus chose a donkey? How does that make you feel about Jesus?

What will you lay down for Jesus? E S

Prayerfully consider what you might want to give for Jesus

You will need: a small piece of cloth for each child, a larger piece of brown/yellow card or fabric for a road.

• Lay out the fabric road and give each child a piece of cloth and remind them of how the people laid their cloaks on the road for Jesus and shouted ‘Hosanna’.
• Invite everyone to sit quietly with their cloth and think about what they would like to say to Jesus today (in their hearts).
• Explain that when ready, they can lay their cloths on the road as a prayer, to say it aloud or just lay the cloth down, knowing that Jesus has heard them. Offer their prayers to Jesus.

Activity and colouring sheet

Click on the graphic to view this week's sheets.

• Make a display of the words you started with in ‘What is a king like?’ and the children’s palm leaves on a table or floor, reminding them that Jesus is a servant king.
• Invite the children to look at the words and choose one that stands out to them. Ask them to think about the word this week in their interactions with others.

Go with God 24/7 W S

Put faith into action

Take your cloth away with you to remind you to keep speaking with Jesus this week.

Thrive

Before you finish,
give out the Thrive
resource to encourage
faith at home.