CF Kids - 1st - 3rd Curriculum | Champion Forest | A Church for Northwest Houston

LIFE POINT:

Jesus is the Messiah.

LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING:

Jesus was sent to be my Savior.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-38

BIBLE VERSE:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

FOR THE WEEK OF:

March 29

LEADER BIBLE STUDY

CONTEXT AND COMMENTARY FOR PERSONAL STUDY AND PREPARATION

(For age-appropriate language, use the Bible story on the following pages.)

Throughout Jesus' earthly ministry, He regularly told people to keep quiet about the things He did for them (Matthew 9:27-31; Mark 1:40-45; Mark 5:35-43). Like the man healed from leprosy in Mark 1, people often ignored His instructions and told everyone about the Great Teacher who had miraculously healed them. The result was that Jesus "could no longer enter a town openly" because of the crowds that sought miracles of their own (Mark 1:45).

When Mary wanted Jesus to turn the water into wine to spare the hosts from shame, Jesus told her that His time had not yet come (John 2:4). When Jesus' brothers challenged Him to go and perform works in Jerusalem during a festival, Jesus told them something similar (John 7:6). When Jesus escaped from the crowd in John 6, it was because He knew they were planning to make Him their king by force (John 6:15).

Jesus knew how much attention His ministry drew. He tried to mitigate the threat of unwanted attention by timing His miracles well and asking people to keep quiet about what He did for them. However, there came a point in Jesus' ministry where His objective changed. The time had come for Him to offer His life "as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

On what He knew would be His final trip to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover, Jesus made plans to enter the city in a way that would force a confrontation with the religious leaders. Jesus asked His disciples to bring a young colt to ride on to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.

As Jesus made His way from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, the people shouted a praise rooted in Psalm 118, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" This was no spontaneous outburst. God deliberately planned out this moment to announce that Jesus' time had finally arrived. By presenting Himself as the promised Messiah, Jesus' fate was sealed. Because He fully gave Himself over to God's plan, there would be no turning back.

The crowd had no way of knowing the profound double meaning of their shouts of triumph. In a few short days, this man on the colt would die a brutal death and then rise again. By doing so, He made it possible for anyone who believes in Him and comes to the Father in His name to be saved.

As you pray this week, thank God for Jesus, the King of kings, who shares His triumph over death and raises you with Him to eternal life! Ask Him for new opportunities to share the gospel with others.

💡 INTRO ACTIVITY

Hot Potato — Palm Leaf Edition

Kids sit on the floor in a circle. When the music starts, kids pass a palm leaf around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is left holding the palm leaf must say the Bible verse. Help them complete it or write it somewhere they can see. Tell kids that today they'll be learning about Jesus entering into the town and the people celebrating Him because they knew He came to save them.

💬 TELL THE STORY

1. TELL THE BIBLE STORY

Remind kids that in Old Testament times, God spoke to the people through prophets. Those prophets told about the coming Messiah.
Announce that you are going to read Zechariah 9:9, which is one of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Read the verse aloud.
Turn to Mark 11:1-11 or Luke 19:28-38. Invite kids to learn about the day that prophecy was fulfilled as you tell the Bible story.

BIBLE STORY: THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Jesus and His disciples were nearing Jerusalem. "Go into the village ahead," Jesus told two disciples. "You will find a young donkey tied there. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, you should say that the Lord needs it."

Jesus planned to enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey. This would fulfill a prophecy (word from God) that was written hundreds of years before. This prophecy said, "Look! Your King is coming, riding on a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

The disciples did as Jesus said. They found the donkey in the street, tied beside a door. "What are you doing? Why are you untying the donkey?" people asked. The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them and brought the donkey to Jesus. They threw their clothes over it, and Jesus climbed on.

A very large crowd was waiting on Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem. They all wanted to see Him because they knew about all the miracles Jesus had done. Some people spread their clothes on the road. Others cut leafy branches from trees to put on the road. The crowd went ahead of Jesus and some followed behind Him. They joyfully shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, He went into the temple. He looked around carefully at everything. Then, He returned to Bethany with His disciples for the night because it was already evening time.

—Based on Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-38

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What did Jesus tell 2 of His disciples to do? (go into the village, find a donkey, and bring it to Him)
What did Jesus tell the disciples to say if anyone asked them about the donkey? ("The Lord needs it.")
Into what city did Jesus ride a donkey? (Jerusalem)
Which Old Testament Bible book promised that a King would come riding on a donkey? (Zechariah)
What did people do with their clothes and with leafy branches? (spread them on the road where Jesus was riding)
What did people shout when Jesus entered the city? ("Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!")

💡

BIBLE LEARNING ACTIVITIES

STATION 1

Invite kids to write "Jesus is the Messiah" with glue on paper. Children cover the glue with glitter and remove the excess. Discuss the meaning of "Messiah" with the children.

STATION 2

Give children Legos, Magna-Tiles, or other blocks and challenge them to build the road Jesus traveled on. Have animals available to add to the road.

STATION 3

Allow the children to play with a sand tub with animals. Explain that Jesus rode into town on a donkey in a trail of sand and gravel.

STATION 4

Let the kids use jewels, yarn, fabric, and other materials to decorate their palm leaves. While the kids are decorating, remind them that "The people celebrated when Jesus entered into town shouting 'Hosanna' and waving their branches."

STATION 5

Set up biblical dress-up for kids to get ready for Jesus' arrival. As the children get ready, say "Jesus' helpers put their clothes on Jesus' donkey." Have hobby horses and palm leaves for kids to act out Jesus' arrival.