Palm Sunday

April 5 is Palm Sunday. It is the first day of Holy Week--the week when we remember Jesus' death on Good Friday and his rising again on Easter.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. When the people saw him, they threw a parade! They waved palm branches, sang, and spread their coats on the ground for the donkey to walk on. The people welcomed Jesus this way because they believed he was the king God had promised.
Usually, we celebrate Palm Sunday much like the people in the story. We wave palms, sing, and shout "Hosanna!" as we parade into church. As you read or listen to today's story, think about how you might welcome Jesus as king, even though you are at home.

Hear
The story of Palm Sunday comes from Matthew 21: 1–11. Find the story in the family Bible or a children’s storybook Bible and read it together.

You can also click here to read the story using an online Bible, or you can watch the video retelling below.

Think
When you’ve finished reading the story, talk about these questions with your family:
  • What do you think it was like to be in Jerusalem when Jesus came into the city?
  • If you were in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, what would you have shouted to show Jesus your praise and love?
  • What do kings usually look like? Why do you think Jesus looked different from a "normal" king?
  • Some of the religious leaders in Jerusalem were worried when they saw how excited people were about Jesus. Why do you think they felt this way?
Then, watch the following short video:

Do
Connect more deeply with the story of Palm Sunday by trying one or more of these activities:
Picture
Make Your Own Palms
Trace 4 or 5 handprints on green construction paper. Use your own hands, or trace the hands of everyone in your family. Cut out the handprints and attach them to a craft stick or ruler to make your own palm branch. Or, you can print the coloring page at this link, fill in the palm leaf, and cut it out. Wave your homemade palm branches as you celebrate that Jesus is king!
Picture
Fold a palm cross.
If you picked up a palm leaf from church, you can fold it into a cross following the directions in this video. Hang the cross on your wall, or keep it in a special place in your home. Each time you see the cross, you can remember the joy of Palm Sunday.
Picture
Prepare the "road" for Jesus.
Grab some chalk and go outside! On the sidewalk or driveway, draw a variety of palm branches. Add colorful stripes to represent the clothing people put on the ground for Jesus' donkey to walk on. You can even draw the donkey, if you'd like. Take turns walking down your palm-covered "road" and shouting "Hosanna!"
Share what you've made! Take a picture of your project and send it to sfelde@ctkluth.com so we can include it in our online gallery!

Pray
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming to be a new kind of king!
Help us remember the joy of Palm Sunday every day,
Even when things get difficult.
Hosanna! And Amen!
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
17195 CLEVELAND ROAD  +  SOUTH BEND, IN 46635  +  (574) 272-4306