Kindergarten - Lesson 13

Key Points

  • Jesus was welcomed as he entered the city of Jerusalem.
  • The people called out, “Hosanna!” to Jesus. We sing this in Mass today.

Materials

  • Jesus is Welcomed activity sheets
  • The Big Picture Story Bible
  • Picture magnets.
  • Jesus Rides Through Jerusalem (Bible Brain Teasers)
  • Palm branches
  • Cloth
  • Globe

Catechist Prayer before the lesson:

All powerful and ever-living God, shine with the light of your radiance on a people who live in the shadow of death. Let the dawn from on high break upon us: your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember to:

  • Read the Lesson in the Catechist Guide before class.
  • Call each child by name
  • Kneel or sit down to be at eye-level when talking or playing with the children
  • Smile, use kind words, show patience
  • Sing, create, color, imagine, play, dance, pray, pretend!

Before class starts:

Let students who arrive early color the Jesus Rides Through Jerusalem handout until class is ready to start.

[10 min] Opening Song and Prayer (p. 266)

  • Invite everyone to stand up and sing The Gathering Song (Track 2).
  • Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Our Father and Hail Mary.

[10 min] Discovering: Palm Sunday Part 1 (p. 266-267)

  • We are in the third week of Lent, which lasts 6 weeks until Easter.
  • In 3 weeks, we will celebrate Palm Sunday.
  • Show the children the globe and point to where we are on the map. Then find Jerusalem, and explain that this is the area where Jesus lived 2000 years ago.
  • Show the palm branch and summarize the first paragraph on page 267.

[10 min] Palm Branch Craft

  • Help the children make palm branches.
  • The children should trace their hands 3 or 4 times on construction paper.
  • Help cut out the hand shapes and tape to a stick to make a palm leaf.

[15 min] Discovering: Palm Sunday Part 2 (p. 267)

  • Read the Scripture passage Jesus Enters Jerusalem on page 267.
  • Unfold the cloth and lay it on the floor. Invite the children to stand along either side.
  • Finish reading the story and teach the children the word “Hosanna.” Explain that we sing this word at Mass.
  • Invite the children to wave their “palm branches” and shout, “Hosanna” to welcome Jesus.
  • Listen to “Hosanna” (Track 27) and move/dance around the room.
  • Ask these questions to recap:
  • What happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Many people welcomed him with palm branches.
  • When do we say the words of the people who greeted Jesus? We say “Hosanna” at Mass.
  • What are some ways you can praise and welcome Jesus in your home? Pray, read the Bible, help others.

[10 min] Exploring: Setting the Family Table

  • Hand out Jesus Is Welcomed.
  • Have the children color the picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem.

[15 min] The Big Picture Story Bible

  • Explain: Four days after Palm Sunday, some people who hated Jesus had him arrested, even though he didn’t do anything wrong.
  • Read Parts 20, 21, and 22 (p. 359-395) in the Big Picture Story Bible. These chapters describe the Passion the Resurrection of Jesus.
  • Questions for Chapter 20:
  • Why were the people so mean to Jesus? Because they didn’t believe that he was God.
  • What was the name of the Roman ruler? Pilate.
  • What did the Romans do to Jesus? Whipped him, dressed him in a robe, made a crown of thorns, crucified him.
  • Questions for Chapter 21:
  • How did Jesus’ followers feel? Why? They felt very sad because Jesus died, and they didn’t know if they would see him again.
  • Questions for Chapter 22:
  • Who went to Jesus’ tomb three days after he died? Mary Magdalene.
  • What happened to Jesus on Easter Sunday? He rose from the dead.

[5 min] Sending (p. 268-269)

  • Stand up and sing The Sending Song (Track 3)
  • Review today’s Key Points and answer any questions the kids might have.
  • Stand in a circle to close in prayer with the Sign of the Cross and the Our Father and Hail Mary.

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