“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…
This week your child learned that Jesus entered the city with great fanfare 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 that the Lord needed them (the donkey and her colt). They brought them to Him and placed their cloaks on the colt so Jesus could ride the colt 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. And the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21: 1‐11, Mark 11: 1‐11, Luke 19: 28‐44, John 12:12‐19)
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. Hosanna, Hosanna
While on a walk with your child, find a branch with many leaves or just some large leaves by themselves. Wave the branches or leaves up and down and shout “Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!” just as people did when Jesus passed by them. As you walk, talk with your child by using these questions:
1. What is the name of the city Jesus went to?
2. How did the people feel when they saw Jesus?
3. Why did the people put their coats on the ground and wave palm branches?
4. What did the people shout when they saw Jesus?
5. What does Hosanna mean?
2. Easter Mobile
Create an Easter Mobile with your child using a coat hanger, pieces of yarn and various items or pictures your child will 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.
Keep the mobile and add to it each week as you approach Easter Sunday.
3. Sing a Song
Say this chant with your child using these hand motions.
Jesus Christ from Bethlehem (point to heaven)
Rode into Jerusalem (put hands in front of you and bounce up and down like you are riding a horse)
Rode a donkey as the crowd (point fingers and put on each side of head like ears pointing up)
Gave Him praise with shouts so loud (jazz hands)
Jesus Christ from Bethlehem (point to heaven)
Rode into Jerusalem (put hands in front of you and bounce up and down like you are riding a horse)
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.
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