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4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide

Unit 20, Session 1: The Triumphal Entry

© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY It was time to celebrate the Passover. Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for the occasion.

Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well. Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He

rode a donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground in front of Him. The people

welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem believed He was the promised Messiah, but they expected Him to be a

political leader who would overthrow Roman oppression and set up an earthly throne. Jesus sent a

different message when He entered Jerusalem.

First, Jesus entered Jerusalem. Read Zechariah 9:9. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. He was the One

Zechariah spoke about. Jesus was saying, “I am your King. But I am not here to fight. I come humbly. I

am coming to save you.” Jesus entered the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers and

those selling doves. Read Isaiah 56:6-7. Jesus referred to Isaiah, declaring that His kingship would not

just be over the Jews but over all people.

While Jesus was in the temple, He healed the blind and the lame. Check out the words of Isaiah 35:4-6.

Jesus’ actions declared, “I am not just your King; I am also your God.”

Finally, the priests and the scribes in the temple heard the children worshiping Jesus as their King. “Do

You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2: “Have you

never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?” Jesus gladly

received their praise because He was worthy of their praise.

As we take a break from our chronological study to prepare for and celebrate Easter, help kids connect the

dots between God’s promises of a Messiah and Jesus’ coming. Help them understand why Jesus came:

to save the world from sin!

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: The Triumphal Entry

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

Big Picture Question: How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem

as their King.

Key Passage: Matthew 21:9

Unit Christ Connection: God’s plan for redemption is fulfilled through the death and resurrection of

Jesus Christ.

Transition Time Welcome time Activity Sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)




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Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline map (2 minutes) Big picture question (2 minutes) Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (4 minutes) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

It was the time of year that the Israelites celebrated Passover. Many Israelites had traveled to

Jerusalem to remember what God had done when He rescued His people from slavery in Egypt.

Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem, too. When they neared Bethphage (BETH fayj) and

Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead into a village. “As soon as

you enter the village,” Jesus told them, “you will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever

sat on it. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord

needs it.’” Jesus was going to fulfill a prophecy by the prophet Zechariah that said, “Look, your

King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey.”

The disciples did as Jesus asked. As they untied the donkey, its owners said to them, “Why are you

untying the donkey?” “The Lord needs it,” they said. Then they brought the donkey to Jesus, threw

their robes onto the donkey, and helped Jesus get on it. People were spreading their robes along

the road, and others spread palm branches cut from the fields.

The whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles

they had seen. “The King who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One. Peace in heaven

and glory in the highest heaven! Hosanna!” The word hosanna means “save now.” The people knew

Jesus was their promised King!




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Some of the Pharisees, the religious teachers, told Jesus, “Teacher, tell your disciples to be

quiet!” Jesus answered, “If they did not praise Me, the rocks would praise Me!”

Jesus went to the temple complex in Jerusalem and drove out everyone buying and selling in the

temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling doves.

He quoted the prophet Isaiah and said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

But you are making it into a den of thieves!”

While Jesus was in the temple complex, people who were blind and people who were lame came

to Him. The blind and lame were not allowed to worship in the temple. Jesus healed them.

The chief priests and scribes saw the miracles that Jesus performed and heard the children

saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” or “Our king is here! Our king is here!” Even the kids knew

Jesus was the promised King. The scribes and priests were angry and asked Jesus, “Do you hear

what these children are saying? They are saying you are a king!”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “The Psalmist said: You have prepared praise from the mouths of

children and nursing infants.”

Jesus left them and went to the town of Bethany to spend the night.

Christ Connection: During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the

Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and

victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: The Triumphal Entry



as their King.



Jesus Christ.

Welcome time Allergy Alert celery cheese sticks

Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Invite kids to use celery sticks and cheese sticks to create a palm tree. Allow kids to eat their palm

trees. Mention that the branches of a palm tree are a part of today’s Bible story.




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Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) Bibles “What Does It Mean?” / “Cross Out Code” activity page, 1 per kid colored pencils or crayons

Guide girls and boys to complete the activity page “What Does It Mean?” (Answers: smiling face/happy,

laugh out loud, talk to you later, just kidding, I don’t know, see you later, see ya, best friends forever, save

now)

Say • What time of year do we talk about the word hosanna? (Easter season)

• Why do we talk about the word hosanna during this time? We will hear in our Bible story why the

word hosanna is associated with Easter.

As time allows, lead kids to complete the activity page “Cross Out Code.”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Instant Access Game slips of paper pencils Invite kids to write on a slip of paper something they do not have access to or they are not yet allowed to

have. (ie: cell phone, house key, keys to the car, computer, etc.) Allow kids to share their responses and

answer the following questions: Is it a good idea that you cannot have access to it? Are you not allowed

access because someone wants to protect you?

Say • One of the rules people followed at the temple was that the lame and blind people could not enter

parts of the temple. When Jesus came and healed them, He gave them access to worship God in

the temple. Jesus also gave us access to God. Because of His sacrifice, we can be forgiven and

have a relationship with God.

Option 2: Ribbon Rings round plastic shower curtain rings jingle bells ribbon scissors Allow kids to create ribbon rings by tying ribbons around shower rings. Kids may also tie jingle bells to

some of the ribbons.

Say • The people in our Bible story today waved palm tree branches to praise and celebrate Jesus. We

don’t usually wave palm branches, but what are some ways we can praise and worship Jesus?

Option: Explain that kids can hang up their ribbon rings as wind chimes or wave them as praise ribbons.

Transition to large group




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LESSON Session Title: The Triumphal Entry



as their King.



Jesus Christ.

Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Decorate your room using elements from the Easter story. Place an empty cross in one area of the stage and an empty tomb or large rock in another area. A cross and a tomb can be drawn on long paper and attached to the walls. You can also cut a cross or a large stone from cardboard and paint it. If you are in the middle of another unit’s theme, add the Easter elements to the existing theme. Note: Do not decorate with Easter lilies or other live Easter flowers that kids may be allergic to. TIP: Simple décorations can be as effective as an elaborate display.

Countdown countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (1 minute) confetti

[Large Group Leader enters tossing confetti onto the kids.]

Leader • Wow! What an amazing parade! Did you see the parade? No. Well, it was quite grand. It has

really put me in a good mood to tell you today’s Bible story. Did you know there was a parade in the

Bible? It wasn’t quite like the parades we have today. The parade didn’t involve any fancy cars or

marching bands or floating balloons. OK, let’s review some of our journey through God’s plan to send

Jesus.

Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • Who would like to come tell me about one of the stories we have learned?

Select four or five kids to come forward, point out a picture, and tell about the story.

Leader • Awesome! You have learned a lot about God’s plan to send Jesus. Today, we are going to skip




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forward a little bit on our timeline map. As you may have noticed on the calendar or in stores or at

school, it is Easter season! Easter is the time of year we remember the final week of Jesus’ life on

earth, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension back to heaven. Our first Bible story is about “The

Triumphal Entry.”

Big picture question (2 minutes) Leader • The time had come for the Israelites to observe the Passover. Who remembers what the

Passover was? Yes. The Passover was the time the Israelites remembered how God had delivered them

from slavery in Egypt. God sent an angel, and everyone who spread the lamb’s blood on their door was

spared the loss of the oldest son. The Israelites were told to observe the Passover every year.

Jesus and His followers were preparing to observe the Passover. Jesus was preparing His followers

for His coming death and resurrection. As you listen to our Bible story today, search the Bible for the

answer to our big picture question. Our big picture question is, How did people act when they saw

Jesus?

Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “The Triumphal Entry” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “How did people act when they saw Jesus?” – 11x17 poster provided TIP: A Bible story script is provided at the beginning of every session. You may use it to guide you as you prepare to teach the Bible story in your own words. For a shorter version of the Bible story, read only the bolded text.

Leader • Our Bible story is actually found in four different books of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke,

and John. To begin our story, open your Bible to Matthew 21.

Open your Bible to Matthew 21 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video

“The Triumphal Entry.”

Leader • Jesus knew that God’s plan was for Him to die to pay the price for our sin, but His followers

didn’t understand. His followers expected Jesus to deliver them from the Roman Empire. They

thought He would be a political king. They didn’t understand that Jesus is the King of kings, ruler of all

creation.

Did you find the answer to our big picture question in the Bible story? How did people act when they

saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King. The people had seen and heard about

the miracles Jesus had been doing. They had seen Him raise His friend Lazarus from the dead. They

were glad to see Jesus heal the blind and the lame. Now the blind and lame could worship God in the

temple.

How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King. One

group of people was not happy to see Jesus. They did not like the kids praising Him. They did not like

the adults praising Him. They did not like that Jesus was healing people and being called a king. But

all of this was a part of God’s plan. God was going to use the bad things the Pharisees did to bring

salvation to the world. We will learn more about that next week.




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Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies made long before He came to earth. He rode on a donkey and

received praise from the people. He healed people. The prophets made many promises about Jesus.

Aren’t you glad that God sent Jesus to rescue us from sin? Yes! God sent Jesus to heal our broken

relationship with God.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids

how they can respond, and provide teachers to speak with each kid individually. Guide teachers to use

open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation.

Because some kids are not comfortable responding during a large group time, encourage boys and girls

to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they have about becoming a

Christian.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Matthew 21:9 (11x17 poster, provided) Worship Song: “Hosanna in the Highest” (on provided DVD)

Leader • How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their

King. What did the people shout as Jesus entered Jerusalem? Let’s look at what they said. It is our key

passage.

Lead girls and boys to read the key passage together. Guide everyone born in the months from January to

June to stand and say the key passage. Lead everyone born in the months from July to December to stand

and read the passage together. Lead boys and girls to sing “Hosanna in the Highest.”

Discussion Starter Video (4 minutes) Unit 20, Session 1 discussion starter video (on provided DVD)

Leader • If a friend asked you to tell him (or her) who Jesus is, what would you say? Consider your

answer as you watch this video.

Show the “Unit 20 Session 1” video.

Leader • If a friend asked you to tell him (or her) who Jesus is, would you use any of the answers the

kids gave? Answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

Select several kids to respond. Invite kids to consider whether the Israelites in the Bible story truly

understood who Jesus is.

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “This Is Love” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Sending His only Son to earth to die on the cross for us is a beautiful picture of God’s love for

His people. Join me in singing our theme song and thinking about God’s love.

Guide girls and boys to sing “This Is Love.”




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Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • The parade in our Bible story was very different from the parade I saw today. I wish you could

have been here when the parade was here. I am glad you joined me in time to study today’s Bible story

and big picture question. How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to

Jerusalem as their King. How would you act if you saw Jesus today?

Call on several kids to answer.

Leader • In your small group, you will continue to talk about Jesus and His journey into Jerusalem.

After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal to head to your small group.

Close in prayer.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me

Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.




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TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: The Triumphal Entry



as their King.



Jesus Christ.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline – small group visual pack Option: Retell or review the Bible Story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

Form four groups. Assign each group one of the passages from today’s Bible story. Each group should

read the passage and be prepared to share three things from their account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. If you

don’t have enough kids to form four groups, form two groups and focus on two of the Gospel accounts, such

as Matthew and Luke.

Explain that reading each Gospel writer’s account of the triumphal entry provides us with different

details about what happened. God’s Spirit guided each writer to record the events, but they did so in their

own unique ways. Each author had a different audience of readers in mind when he wrote his text. When

we study all four accounts, we understand the Bible story better.

Say • How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King.

• Whom did Zechariah prophesy would come riding on a donkey? (Jesus was the Messiah spoken

about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and

victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”)

Review Zechariah on the timeline in the small group visual pack. You may also wish to review other

prophets who spoke about Jesus. Note the amount of time between Zechariah’s prophecy and Jesus’

entry into Jerusalem.

If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another leader if they have questions.

God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16- 17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)




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Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)

We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13)

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Hosanna Cheer” Key Passage Poster: Matthew 21:9

Form groups and challenge each group to create a chant using part or all of the key passage. After allowing

groups to collaborate for a few minutes, invite each one to share its chant.

Say • Hosanna means “save now.” How did the Israelites think Jesus was going to save them?

• How did Jesus provide salvation for people?

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: “Triptych” paper Guide boys and girls to fold a piece of paper into three sections. Invite kids to create a triptych by

drawing two scenes from today’s Bible story on their paper. Invite kids to review the Bible story by

sharing the scenes they drew.

For the third scene, kids may draw a scene from their lives. Encourage kids to draw a scene of a time

or place where it is hard to praise God.

If some kids do not wish to draw, allow them to write a paragraph or list key words from three parts of

today’s Bible story.

Say • How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King.

• Why were the people excited to see Jesus?

• What did Zechariah say about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? (Jesus was the Messiah spoken about

by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious,

humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”)

Option 2: Coin Sort blindfolds coins, various denominations Form two groups. Ask the first group to blindfold the second group. Give each kid five coins. The

blindfolded kids must sort the coins in order of the amount. For extra fun, add some coins from other

countries. Allow groups to swap blindfolds and play again.

Say • Why did Jesus get upset when He went into the temple?

• Jesus said the temple was supposed to be a place of prayer, but people were using it for other

things. People were not obeying God. They were not showing love and respect for God. They

were more concerned with themselves. This scene in the temple upset Jesus greatly.

• Jesus was right to be upset. God’s laws were being broken. The temple was meant to be a place to

worship God, offer sacrifices, and be in His presence.

• How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King.




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Prayer (5 minutes) Say • How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King.

• The Israelites praised Jesus as their King. How can you praise Jesus?

After a few minutes, close the group in prayer. Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, to be our King of

kings.

Clean-Up Room

EasterUNIT 20 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Write in the space provided what each phrase,

symbol, or word means.

© 2013 Lifeway

EasterUNIT 20 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Follow the instructions to find a key word from today’s Bible story.

Cross out letters that appear more than two times.Cross out the vowels O and U.

Cross out the letter D.

Cross out the remaining letters in the 4th row down.Cross out the letters V and C.Cross out the letters R and Q.

© 2013 Lifeway

Family Journal Page

Unit 20 • Session 1OK TO PRINT

Take a family trip to a local store. Go to the department with

Easter supplies, and invite family members to search for items

that connect with the real Easter message. List any items

you found below. Talk about how easy it is to get distracted

from the true story of Easter.

EasterThe Triumphal EntryMatthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44;

John 12:12-19

Preschool Key Passage: Matthew 21:9

Big Picture Question: How did people act when they

saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus as their King.

Christ Connection: The people were happy to see

Jesus. They knew He was their King. Jesus came riding

on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah said He

would. (Zechariah 9:9)

KidsKey Passage: Matthew 21:9

Big Picture Question: How did people act when they

saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as

their King.

Christ Connection: During Jesus’ triumphal entry,

the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the

Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah:

“Look, your King is coming to you; He

is righteous and victorious, humble and

riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal

of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he

who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna

in the highest!”Matthew 21:9

Unit 20 • Key Passage Poster (ESV)OK TO PRINT Easter

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