Palm Sunday: Jesus Rides into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16 New Testament PrincipleWorship
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said the King would come. Crowds spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Even children praised Him in the temple. Hosanna means "Save us!" That same week, Jesus saved us by dying on the cross and rising again. Jesus is the King who deserves our worship.
Jesus is the true King who came humbly to save us, so He is worthy of our worship. We praise Him with our voices, our hearts and our lives, like the crowds and the children did.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:9 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
God promised a King from David's family who would save His people. Jesus rode into Jerusalem as that King, and that week He saved us by His death and resurrection.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: Welcome the king
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): Palm branches
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Cloak road
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus is King! Hosanna!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Hosanna parade, Color Jesus on the donkey
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. People put their coats and branches on the road. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Hosanna means "Save us!" Even children praised Jesus. That week, Jesus saved us by dying on the cross and coming back to life. Jesus is the King we worship.
Memory verse
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Adapted from Matthew 21:9
Start here
Ask, "If a king came to town, what would you expect him to ride?" (A horse, a fancy car, a carriage.) Say, "Jesus is the greatest King ever. Let's see what He rode!"
Bible story 6 min
It was almost time for a big feast. Lots of people were walking to Jerusalem. Jesus and His friends came near the city.
Jesus said to two friends, "Go into the town. You will find a donkey and her baby donkey tied up. Bring them to Me. If anyone asks, say, 'The Lord needs them.'"
The friends went. They found the donkeys, just like Jesus said! They put their coats on the young donkey. Jesus sat on it.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: Old towels, jackets or blankets, Green construction paper
- Choose Jesus, two disciples, the owner and a child. Everyone else is the crowd.
- Act out the skit.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
The Sunday before Passover, Jesus sent for a donkey and rode it into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah's promise that the King would come humble, riding a donkey. Crowds spread cloaks and palm branches on the road and shouted words from Psalm 118, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Children kept praising Him in the temple. "Hosanna" means "Save us," and that week Jesus saved His people by His death and resurrection. He is the King worthy of our worship.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Psalms on the road, Cloak road
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at church, at school, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Jesus deliberately entered Jerusalem on a colt, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9, the humble King who brings peace. The Passover crowds welcomed Him like a king with cloaks and palm branches and the words of Psalm 118, "Hosanna" ("Save us!"). Many wanted a king who would defeat Rome, but Jesus came to defeat sin and death, and within the week He did. He is the King worthy of all worship, from children and from us.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The humble King, My Hosanna
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at church, with friends, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Worship
The same principle in other Bible stories.
In the BeginningGod Makes EverythingGenesis 1:1-2:3; Genesis 2:4-23God made everything, and everything He made shows how great and good He is.Old TestamentWorship
Seeing God's WorldEvery Square InchColossians 1:15-20; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 3:17, 23From prison, Paul wrote to the church in Colossae that Jesus made all things, holds all things together and is first in everything. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. There's no part of life that doesn't belong to Jesus, so everything we do can be worship.New TestamentWorship
Give Thanks to the LORD: David Brings Home the Ark1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; 2 Samuel 6:12-19King David wanted the ark of God, the sign of God's presence, to come to Jerusalem. The first time, they didn't carry it God's way, and it went badly. So David studied God's Word, and this time the Levites carried the ark on poles on their shoulders, just as God had said. All Israel brought it up with shouting, trumpets, harps and cymbals, and David danced with all his might. When the ark was home, David gave everyone food and gave the Levites a song of thanks to sing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is our glad, thankful answer to the God who comes to be with His people.Old TestamentWorship
With Building BricksSolomon Builds the Temple1 Kings 5:1-8:66; 2 Chronicles 3:1-7:3; John 2:19-21King Solomon built a beautiful temple for God, and God filled it with His glory. But even Solomon knew no building could hold God. God came to live with His people, and in Jesus He came closer than ever. So we worship Him.Old TestamentWorship
Kings and ProphetsElijah on Mount Carmel1 Kings 18:1-2; 1 Kings 18:17-39On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and the LORD answered with fire from heaven, showing that He alone is the true God.Old TestamentWorship
Jesus Shines Like the Sun: The TransfigurationMatthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:28-36Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There, Jesus was changed. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. Peter wanted to build three shelters. But a bright cloud covered them, and God's voice said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" The disciples fell down in awe. When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. Jesus is God's Son, and we worship Him by listening to Him.New TestamentWorship