Rotation.org Writing Team

PALM SUNDAY

COMPUTER

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

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

Luke 19:28-43 [NRSV] – Featured in this lesson plan

28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?' just say this, "The Lord needs it.' " 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They said, "The Lord needs it."
35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

MEMORY VERSES

Mark 11:9
Psalm 118:26

Luke 19:42 – Featured in this lesson

"If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!”

PURPOSE

See Bible Background.

Objectives for Rotation

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.

Know that Jesus' came to Jerusalem along with thousands of others to celebrate the Jewish Passover.

Learn that Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem just a few days before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. This story begins the events of Holy Week.

Discover that Jesus’ entry on a donkey signified that he was a humble King, peaceful Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Objective for Computer Workshop

Know that Real Peace comes from believing in Jesus, and acting like him. Being part of the “Jesus parade” is not enough. We must understand who he is and what he wants us to do, then follow in his way.

PREPARATION

Read the Bible Background.

Read the Bible story.

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Butcher paper
  
• Chalk [Optional]
  
• Chalk or white board or newsprint [Optional]
  
• Computers with monitors
  
• Copy machine
  
• “Fill in the blank” prayer statements
  
• Index cards
  
• Markers
  
• Paper, 8 ½” x 11”
  
• Scissors
  
• Software – Let’s Talk (or KidPix 3 or 4)
  
• Words for “Jesus Cries” cards
  
• Words for “Rock Shouts” cards
  

Advance Preparation Requirements

Cut a piece of butcher paper to fit a table in the computer room.

Prepare “Jesus Cries” and “Rock Shouts” cards.

Print the “Fill in the Blank Prayer Statements” on a chalk or white board or on a piece of newsprint. Or, duplicate a copy for each child as a handout.

PROCEDURE

Open -- Introduction

Begin the lesson away from the computers asking the students to reconstruct from memory as much of the Palm Sunday story as they can remember. On a large piece of butcher paper laid on the table, the teacher should draw out the story line, locations, characters, and keywords. The drawing will focus their attention. Use multiple colored scented markers and toss a marker to the children who remember a certain portion of the story – for them to draw that part on the larger drawing. This is not art project, rather a form of outlining the story with visual references that will focus their attention.

Read the Biblical Story and add to the butcher paper illustration the parts that the children missed. Add keyword quotes on the paper.

Review the story line and ask questions such: How was Jesus feeling or what was he thinking at the location where -- he was put on the donkey; where he was riding on the palms; where he was shouted at by the religious leaders; where he wept.

Dig – Main Content

Re-read Luke 19:38-42. Discuss the question: “What kind of King did the PEOPLE want?” and “What kind of King did JESUS want to be?”

Now introduce today’s software: Let’s Talk CD (or Kid Pix Version 3 or 4 if you choose). Tell the students that they are going to be creating “ROCK SHOUTS & JESUS CRIES” that the software will speak aloud.

They will be creating dialog for the story as if the rocks DID get their chance to shout to Jesus during the parade.

If using Let’s Talk:

Use the TALK NOW module to design their animated teacher and create their Shouts and Cries. The teacher also has the option to use the “Lesson Builder” module to create a talking-lesson that can prime the students’ thinking and instruct them about what to do in the Talk Now module to create the “Shouts & Cries.”

If using Kid Pix 3 or 4:
Have the students create a quick single illustration of a rock for the “Shout” and use the typing tool to create dialog for the rock which can be played back.

Hand each group of students at each computer workstation a 3x5 card with two of the following “ROCK SHOUTS & CRIES” they will be creating. Give them about 5 minutes to create their first Shout. Then gather the students in one group and go to each computer to play back each computer team’s “Shout.” Discuss. Then, give them another 5 minutes to create a “CRY.”

It is important that the teacher circulate among the students each time they are creating their Shout or Cry. Help them to understand their task and refine the words they are typing to create either the Shout or Cry. This is not meant to be an easy task, but rather, a thought-provoking one!

ROCK SHOUTS: (for the 3x5 card)

You are one of the rocks Jesus was talking about as he rode into Jerusalem. Some people wanted his disciples to stop talking about him. So imagine the crowd did go silent and you are a rock along the road. What would you begin to say about Jesus?

You might use some “rock” vocabulary in your “rock shouts.”

Example: “People are soft! Their hope in God is easily crushed. But we rocks stay strong in our faith. Rock on Jesus!”

Example: “We cannot stay silent. Jesus is somebody to talk and rock about! We think he is like this….”

Example: “Blessed is the ROCK who comes in the name of the Lord. Here’s what’s soft about you and STRONG about Jesus….”

JESUS CRIES: (for the 3x5 card)

Jesus wept when he came into the city of Jerusalem during the parade. He knew that the crowds did not fully understand what kind of leader or Messiah he was going to be. Jesus was sad that they misunderstood him. You are to type a “Jesus Cry.” You are to explain what made Jesus cry. What would Jesus say brings “real” hope and peace to people?

Example: “You people want a powerful King to protect you from the Romans, but real peace will only come when you forgive and love each other.”

Example: “You people want me to take care of all your problems. But I tell you, you must have faith and be faithful, then you will have real peace.”

Example: “I am crying because I know you will reject me. You will reject me because….”

Reflect -- Closure

Post the following “fill in the blank” statements for all to see, or place them on a handout. Assign two of the statements to each computer station. Have them type the statement –filling in the blank. Then when everyone is ready, have them playback the prayer.
You should assign each statement to two different groups so that you’ll get two interesting responses to the same statement.

Begin by saying: “Being part of the crowd that comes to see Jesus at the parade is not enough. Real Peace comes from believing in Jesus, and acting like him. We must understand who he is, what he is trying to do in the world, and follow in his way.

Jesus, help me to be more ____________ so that I can be a better disciple.

Jesus, teach me that you are more like a ______________ and not like a ____________.

Jesus I shout your name at church; but help me to shout your name in this place in my daily life so that others will know I follow you: _____________

Jesus, this is the place in our world where we need real peace now: _____________.

Jesus, I need you to be a leader in this area of my personal life: ___________.

Jesus, help me tell others that you are ____________.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptation – For Non-Readers

They can do surprisingly well coming up with things to type, IF you are at each computer to help them. The drawing tools in Kid Pix might be a little too distracting for them if not monitored.

CONTRIBUTOR: Neil MacQueen

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