Three Activities for Preschool Families: Jesus Enters Jerusalem
“Hosanna” is a word that means “Save!” It was the people’s way of giving Jesus honor and worship by recognizing that He was the One who truly had the power to save them. This week celebrate with your child the excitement that comes with knowing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised.
HIGHLIGHTS from the Weekend…
Read Matthew 21:1-11 with your child this week. Teach them that Jesus entered the city with great celebration because He was the Savior that God had promised. Jesus sent two disciples into the village to find a donkey. They were to untie it and bring it to Him. If anyone questioned them, they were to say, “The Lord needed it.” The disciples brought the donkey to Him and placed their cloaks on it so Jesus could ride it into town. Large crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road before Him. The people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”
Teaching Truth:
- Jesus is God's plan to rescue the world from sin.
- Jesus is the Savior whom God promised.
Memory Verse
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
3 Activities that Help Us Learn That Jesus is God's Rescue Plan and is the Savior Whom God Promised:
1. Palm Leaf
Make a green palm leaf... Either dip your child’s hand in green paint and make several handprints in the shape of a palm leaf or trace your child’s hand on green paper. Cut out the handprints and let your child glue the handprints on white construction paper in the shape of a palm leaf. Cut away the excess white paper so the paper is in the shape of a palm branch. You can teach your child to say, “Hosanna!” and let them wave their palm branch in celebration Jesus!
2. Leading a Parade
When Jesus came into Jerusalem it was like He was leading a parade. Line up stuff animals or dolls in row like they are watching the parade. Take turns with your child pretending to be Jesus in the parade or in the crowd watching Jesus. Use a broom stick for the donkey for Jesus to ride upon and wave the palm branch your child made earlier and shout Hosanna as Jesus rides by. If the weather is nice, get outside and do this activity while going on a walk and using any leaves or branches you might find along the way. You can talk with your child about it using these questions:
- What is the name of the city Jesus went to?
- How did the people feel when they saw Jesus?
- Why did the people put their coats on the ground and wave palm branches?
- What did the people shout when they saw Jesus?
- What does Hosanna mean?
3. Easter Mobile
Create an Easter mobile with your child using a coat hanger, pieces of yarn, and various items or pictures your child will help create. Be creative!
- Write “Easter” on a piece of paper and allow your child to decorate it with crayons. Tape this paper across the middle part of the hanger.
- With your child, write out the memory verse, Romans 5:8, on a piece of paper, let your child decorate it, punch a hole in it and use yarn to attach it to the coat hanger.
- Make a palm branch with your child and attach it to the mobile. You can simply draw and cut one out of green construction paper or use a branch from outside.
Pray
God, we are so grateful to be called your children. Help our hearts this week to have these truths written on them and for us to live in a way that shows our love and trust for you to the world. Thank you for Jesus and that He is our perfect Savior and rescue plan.