Jesus Was Welcomed As He Entered the City of Jerusalem

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.