Preschool: We Celebrate Jesus: Session 1—Jesus Entered Jerusalem (April 2)

1s & 2s— Play Bells and Sing

Bible Story: Jesus Entered Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11
Life Point: Jesus is not like anyone else
Weekly Verse: This is Jesus. Matthew 21:11

Materials: Music, large jingle bells, chenille stems 

• Thread a bell onto a chenille stem. Twist together the ends of the chenille stem to make a handle. Make enough for several children to play at one time.
• Play a song, such as “Hosanna.” Sing along as you encourage the children to play the bells to the music.
• Comment that the people shouted happy words to show that Jesus was not like anyone else. Say the Weekly Verse with the preschoolers.

3–Pre-K— Play with a Parachute

Bible Story: Jesus Entered Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11
Life Point: Jesus is not like anyone else
Weekly Verse: This is Jesus. Matthew 21:11

Materials: Teaching Picture 5, Music, parachute or large sheet, foam balls

• Lay the parachute or sheet on the floor in a large open area. Display the teaching picture nearby.
• Invite a group of kids to play. Guide them to hold up the parachute as one child walks under and everyone says his name. Continue giving several children a turn.
• Play a song as preschoolers raise and lower the parachute with the music.
• Point to the teaching picture and comment that people shouted happy words to Jesus as He went down the road. Continue to raise and lower the parachute as you say the Weekly Verse together.

Kindergarten— Find Letters in Paper

Bible Story: Jesus Entered Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11
Life Point: Jesus is not like anyone else
Weekly Verse: This is Jesus. Matthew 21:11

Materials: Teaching Picture 5, box, shredded paper, magnetic letters, magnetic surface, index card, marker

• Print the word HOSANNA onto an index card. Find at least two sets of magnetic letters to spell HOSANNA. Bury the letters in a box of shredded paper. Prop the magnetic surface on the floor with the box in front of it. Tape the card to the surface.
• Invite kindergartners to look in the box and dig for the letters. Point to the card and say the word. Tell kids to find the letters to spell this word.
• Talk about the Bible story as kids look for letters. Tell them that Hosanna was a word that showed they knew that no one was like Jesus.
• Show the Teaching Picture as you talk about the story and say the Weekly Verse.