Rotation.org Writing Team

PALM SUNDAY

ART I

PASSAGES

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-40 [Special emphasis for this lesson]
John 12:12-19

MEMORY VERSES

Mark 11:9
Psalm 118:26

PURPOSE

Objectives for Rotation

See Bible Background.

Objectives for Art Workshop

Learn that there are four versions of the Palm Sunday story and that they quote Psalm 118.

Explore the idea that God invites our participation in the Kingdom, but, if we are unwilling or make ourselves unavailable, God’s purposes will not be thwarted. After all, God is God and does not need human beings to bring in God’s Kingdom.

Create a “stone parade” to display in your church.

PREPARATION

Read and study Bible background.

Materials List

• Base for stone parade such as cardboard, foamboard, or plywood
  
• Copy machine or printer
  
• Dowel rods, ¼” diameter cut into 8”-10” lengths
  
• Fabric scraps
  
• Glue to affix stones to base
  
• Markers, permanent or puffy paint
  
• Palm trees, small artificial [Optional]
  
• Paper, 8 ½” x 11”
  
• Scissors
  
• Stones, 5-10 per student
  
• Tape, clear packaging type
  

Advance Preparation Requirements

Prepare a base from cardboard, foamboard, or plywood for the stone parade. Determine the size of the base by estimating the number of people who will add at least five to ten stones per person to the project. The stones will “stand” on the sides of the road to welcome the Messiah.

Use a marker to draw a “road” down the center of the base. Insert eight to ten inch dowel rods at intervals along the sides of the road.

Decide where the stone parade will be displayed. A table in a well-traveled passageway might make a powerful display.

Obtain a large quantity of stones for the project since five to ten are needed per participant. The stones could be collected from a nearby creek, weather permitting, but pond stones or stone edging kits could be purchased at a home store. The pond stones might need to be washed. The disadvantage with the stone edging kit is that the stones are all the same size, but they can be “dressed up” with fabric scraps.

Duplicate a copy of the words for the signs that older students will prepare during class. Note that the signs will need to be pre-printed for younger children. The list might include:

Title sign: Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

Look your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!

This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!

Save us, O Lord!

Cut poster board into the shape of speech balloons for the signs that will be attached to the dowel rods on the road.

PRESENTATION

Open - Introduction

Set the scene: the background is that Jesus and his followers were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus made special arrangements for his entry into the city.

Tell or read together the passage from Luke 19:28-44.

Explain that you will be creating an alternative Palm Sunday parade. This parade is what Jesus said would happen if the Pharisees silenced his followers.

Dig - Main Content

Older students: read all four passages and Psalm 118:25-26.

Younger students: tell the story. Use the quotations from all four passages and Psalm 118.

All students: Be sure they understand that the first word in verse 25 of Psalm 118 in Hebrew is “Hosanna” which means “save us” in English.

Talk about what these greetings said about Jesus.

Talk about why the Pharisees wanted to silence the crowd. We are not indispensable to God. If one way of welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem had been stopped by the Pharisees, God would have simply done something else.

Direct the students to select a pre-determined number of stones (5-10) and draw faces on them with the permanent markers.

While the faces are drying, make the signs.

For older students: Provide the list of potential phrases for the signs. Direct the students to select one of the things the crowd called out and to write it on one of the pre-cut poster board speech balloons.

For younger students: have the phrases already printed and direct them to choose and decorate it.

Attach the signs to the dowel rods with cellophane packaging tape.

Attach the stones to the base with tacky glue.

You could add small artificial palm trees along the sides of the road and small scraps of fabric on the path.

Reflect – Closure

Compare your stone parade with a picture of Palm Sunday. Talk about ways we can bring in God’s Kingdom and welcome Jesus into our city. Pray for the coming of the Kingdom.

CONTRIBUTOR: Anne Camp

My sunday school did this as a Palm Sunday art project; we will be starting up rotation in the Fall. Grades 1-6 worked in 3 groups, youngest to oldest. I used 4 large pieces of cardboard with the roads drawn so that when put together, there was one long road. We used drinking straws and coffee stirrers to hold the "word bubbles" of the stones. For the younger we preprinted them, the older kids wrote their own. It turned out great, and we were able to display some of it on Palm Sunday in our Fellowship Hall after church.
An odd note, our pastor had planned a dramatic presentation for Palm sunday based on the stones speak out, or witness of the stones, something like that, and I planned this-totally indepentdently! Eerie...
Anyway, thanks for the GREAT idea for Palm Sunday
P.S. I have photos if anyone wants to see...