Luke 19:28-40, NIRV

28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead. He was going up to Jerusalem. 29He approached Bethphage and Bethany. The hill there was called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. He said to them, 30“Go to the village ahead of you.” As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey’s colt tied up. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. 31Someone may ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ If so, say, ‘The Lord needs it.”

32Those who were sent ahead went and found the young donkey. It was there just as Jesus had told them. 33They were untying the colt when its owners came. The owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35Then the disciples brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats on the young donkey and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their coats on the road.

37Jesus came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives. There the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God with joy. In loud voices they praised him for all the miracles they had seen. They shouted,

38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26)

“May there be peace and glory in the highest heaven!”

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd spoke to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “tell your disciples to stop!”

40“I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Playlist Song:

“You Will Be Found” (from Dear Evan Hansen). This song foreshadows the events of Holy Week, emphasizing the somberness and darker tones of those moments. Due to the graphic imagery and context from the movie from which this song was taken, it has not been included in the framing of this Children’s Message. This Children’s Message focuses on the praise and rejoicing that are witnessed on this day.

Materials needed:

Beads
Thin ribbon
Charm in the shape of a cross

Message:

How is your prayer life this week? Remember, each Sunday, we pray for people in the world; then, we place coins in our Lenten Coin Calendar jar. Did you use your Lenten Coin Calendar this week? How many coins are in your jar? (Allow children to respond.) Did you use your prayer beads? What about your Lenten Playlist? Have the songs motivated you in your prayer life? (Allow children to provide examples.) On the first Sunday of Lent, we prayed for those in darkness. On the second Sunday of Lent, we prayed for those who felt overwhelmed and asked that they find comfort and protection in Jesus. On the third Sunday of Lent, we learned about producing fruit and how we must cling to Jesus. The next week, we heard the story of the prodigal son and learned about rainbows, God’s promise, and unending love. Then, last week, we learned about the gifts that Jesus gives us by following Him and the gifts that we offer as we continue to live our lives to honor God.

Let’s talk about respect for a moment. What does the word “respect” mean to you? (Allow children to define “respect.”) Respecting people means treating them in a way that makes them feel cared for and important. How do we show others we respect them? (Allow children to answer.) Let’s see if we can come up with five ways to show respect to others. I will count them on my hand. Who can tell me one way we show respect? (Allow five children to respond.). Those are all excellent ways to show others we care.

As I look at my hand while using my fingers to count, I realize that today is Palm Sunday. Get it? Palm of my hand, Palm Sunday. (What a terrible “Dad Joke.”)

Today is Palm Sunday. What a perfect day to learn more about the word “respect.” I would like to share a story from the Gospel of Luke about the importance of respect. When an especially important leader comes to visit, people may show their respect for the leader by rolling out a red carpet. Have you ever heard of this? A red carpet? Maybe you have seen a red carpet on television at an awards show or movie premiere. When Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem, the people honored him and offered their respect by spreading clothes and leafy branches on the road. That is where the name Palm Sunday comes from. The crowd waved palm branches and spread the branches on the road. They made him feel welcome by singing praises to God. They shouted, “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us!” They were rejoicing because they believed that God had sent Jesus to help them. They believed Jesus was the king for whom they had been waiting. They showed Jesus the respect that a king deserved. The people who shouted out “Hosanna” offered respect toward Jesus in the same ways you mentioned earlier. (Remind the children of some of the ways they mentioned earlier.) Do you think the crowd of people showed respect to Jesus? Do you think the crowd cared and treated him as an important person? What did they do to make you think that? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right; they shouted “Hosanna,” rejoiced, and praised him.

This week, as you continue to fill your Lenten join jar, remember to thank God for clothing that protects us from chilly weather and keeps us warm. We also pray for those who lack clothing to keep them warm and dry. This scripture passage serves as a reminder of those who lack clothing, and it reminds us of the blessing of having sufficient warm clothing. The crowds in the Bible passage waved palm branches and spread their coats on the ground.

In church, each year, on the Sunday before Easter, we celebrate Palm Sunday. Today is that day. On this Sunday, we remember how the people honored Jesus with palm branches, laying their coats on the ground, and shouting praises. It is a time to be glad, for God’s servant has come.

Let’s add a prayer bead as we remember this time of gladness, that the one has come to save us! Hosanna!

Prayer:

(Each week during the prayer, affix the bead to the ribbon when you begin the prayer.) Hosanna, King Jesus! I praise God for you! Help me always to welcome and honor you. You have my respect. Help me to understand what kind of king you are. Continue to let me give all honor and glory to you and show others in my life how this world can look different when we put our faith and trust in you. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

The Children’s Messages for this series, framed around Lent and Holy Week, have provided children and their families with an opportunity to build upon contemplation with the spiritual practice of prayer. These conversation starters are linked to the prayer beads that were added each week during our series. Use the prayer beads you made (or make more for other family members) to help guide your conversation.

This series has also connected families to the Lenten Coin Calendar and each Sunday prayer that coincides with this resource.

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley for providing instructions on how to make prayer beads for children and their families.

Describe a situation this week when you were tempted to do something others wanted you to do. As you went through those moments, did you question God? Did you test God? Did you question God at that moment? Did you pray to God? Did you feel the presence of God in that moment? What was the outcome of the event? As a family, discuss how you were more like Jesus this week. Give examples. Use your prayer beads to say a prayer for those who are being tempted in this world.
As a family, discuss the imagery of Jesus as a mother hen protecting her chicks. Describe a moment this week when you were reminded that Jesus is our protector and how you turned to him when you felt overwhelmed. Did you listen to the people God put in your life who care about and love you? Use your prayer beads to say a prayer for the people God put in your life who love you. Name them during the prayer and thank God for each person. (“God, we give you thanks for …”)
Jesus taught us to show compassion toward others and help protect those who are hurting and struggling. This happens through our actions every minute, every day. Offer compassion to everyone you meet. Show people what the world would look like if everyone we met saw God’s love. This means that every day, all day, we need to act like Jesus. Describe a situation this week where you “showed” Jesus to someone else. Use your prayer beads to say a prayer for acts of compassion you offered and for those who received compassion.
Share a time this week when you found an opportunity to show others the fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes with living a godly life. Remind one another about the fruit of the Spirit. Listen to this song provided by Upward Sports to remind you of the fruit of the Spirit. Can you share an example of how your family demonstrated each of the fruits named in Galatians? Use your prayer beads to pray for those in your life who have produced the fruit of the Spirit.
God’s love is constantly with us no matter what happens. Share a time this week when you felt the presence of God’s love. Use a prayer bead to give thanks to God.
Watch this video from Sesame Street about "respect." Reflect on the scripture passage that describes Palm Sunday and remember how the people honored Jesus with palm branches and shouts of praise. Describe how this scene from scripture demonstrates respect. Read the passage of scripture from Luke 19:37-38.

38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26) “May there be peace and glory in the highest heaven!”

What feelings do you experience as you hear the shouts of praise from the crowd? Use a prayer bead to remember this time of gladness, that the one has come to save us! Hosanna!