What is the last thing you helped celebrate? A new baby, a wedding, a promotion, or even a birthday? Celebrations are a time when we can come together over joyful events. Palm Sunday is all about celebrating Jesus. Jesus did so many amazing things for people that demonstrated His love for us. Because of this, people laid their coats and palm branches in the road for Him to walk on as they praised Him.
So, this week is all about celebrating Jesus. We want to have a Jesus party and celebrate all the amazing thigs He did to show how much He loved us. And by Him doing that, He showed each of us how we can do the same. Who can love like Jesus? I can love like Jesus!
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: We can celebrate Jesus. (Palm Sunday • Matthew 21:1-16)
Memory Verse: “Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12, NIV
Key Question: Who can love like Jesus?
Bottom Line: I can love like Jesus.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing about loving like Jesus and get a sneak peek at our Easter song, “One Two Three.”
Bible Story Video – Palm Sunday
Worship – Love Like Jesus
Worship – One Two Three
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. We have practiced this verse all month so they should be ready. Be sure to have a reward (it can be a special snack, a sticker, or any prize of some sort) you can give them during the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page – Encourage your kids to draw coats and palm leaves under Jesus.
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and rewarding them for saying the memory verse all by themselves. Then say: “Jesus shows us several ways we can love others. Since helping others is one way we can love the way Jesus loves us, let’s make a list of ways we can help people.” (Have each family member, including you, list a way they can help people. You will use the list when you pray.)
PRAYER: “Dear God, Jesus is the best friend anyone will ever have. He really wants to help, share, and say kind words to everyone in the whole, wide world! That is real love! And we want to love like Jesus. So God, will You please help us to (read the list your family made) so people everywhere will know that we love them the way Jesus loves us? We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“O that there such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!”
Deuteronomy 5:29
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
