Rotation.org Writing Team

PALM SUNDAY

CREATIVE WRITING

PASSAGES

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19

MEMORY VERSES

Mark 11:9
Psalm 118:26

PURPOSE

At the end of this lesson the children will:

Older students will locate the stories in their Bibles; Younger students will learn that the story is in the New Testament in the Gospels.

Understand the meaning of the word Hosanna; the people expected a king to save them. Yet the crowd misunderstood what sort of Messiah Jesus was.

PREPARATION

Read Bible Background

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Copy machine or printer
  
• Crayons or markers
  
• Paper, 8 ½” x 11” white
  
• Pencils
  
• Word list
  

Advance Preparation Requirements

Duplicate a copy of the word list for each child.

PRESENTATION

Open – Introduction

Greet the children as they enter.

Ask the children what they would do if Jesus were coming to their town. How would they prepare? Would they plan a special event?

Dig - Main Content

Tell the children that you will be reading about the time when Jesus came to Jerusalem one last time before his death.

Have the children close their eyes and picture what happened.

Read Mark 11:1-10 with expression!

Ask the children to share what they pictured.

Discuss with the children the word “Hosanna.” First, ask the children what they think “Hosanna” means. Many may think it is a word of praise, which it has become. Tell the children that “Hosanna” meant “save.” The people were asking Jesus to save them (from Roman rule). They didn’t realize yet that Jesus had not come to save them from Roman occupation, but from sin.

Tell the children that they will be writing a Palm Sunday story using a list of words. Give each child a word list and read the words together. Give the children an example of how to use a word in a sentence. Tell the children that they can write their story from the viewpoint of Jesus, the disciples, a child in the crowd, or even the donkey!

Give the children white paper, pencils, and crayons or markers for creating their story. They may add illustrations. Have the children find Mark 11:1-10 in their Bibles so they can reference the Gospel if needed.

Reflect – Closure

Give the children an opportunity to share their stories.

***

Word List

Hosanna
Jerusalem
Jesus
Palm
Shout
Sing
Happy
Crowded
Donkey
Praise
King
People

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptations - Younger Children

Have the child dictate the story to you, then let the child illustrate. If it is a class of younger children, work on the story as a class, with the children dictating to you. Use large sheets of paper if possible so everyone can see.

Adaptations - Older Children

Encourage older children to find more words in the Gospel story that they can include in their story.

CONTRIBUTOR: Stephanie Smith