OK to copy.
Lessons for the Leader
1aApplication Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus
20-minute Application Activities format. 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large
group only format.
What do these symbols mean?
Session at a Glance
The Triumphal Entry
Focus Passage: Matthew 21:1-17
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 63:4
Life ApplicationI can know Jesus is worthy of my praise.
Level of Biblical Learning (Jesus)Jesus is the only Son of God, and He was sent to be my Savior.
Have you ever met someone who was caught up in his status and position? How does it make you feel to sense the confidence of his position? Imagine sensing the humility of Jesus upon His entry into Jerusalem. •Read Matthew 21:1-7. Is it odd Jesus opted to
ride on a donkey into Jerusalem? If Jesus were to make an entrance into your town, by what means do you think He would enter? How would the people of your town respond to Jesus' entrance?
•Read verses 8-11. The word Hosanna in the Hebrew language literally is an expression meaning "Save!" The word origination of Savior is "save" (Latin for "to rescue") and "-tor" (Greek suffix) which uses a verb to create a more personal word. When was the last time you said Hosanna and truly digested its original meaning?
•Read verses 12-17. Place yourself in Jesus' position as He enters the temple. What emotions do you think He experienced? Do you feel His actions were justified? Why? What would you have done?
•Set aside time to praise Jesus for His saving grace. Reread Matthew 21:1-17. Focus on the setting. Allow your mind to paint a picture of Jesus. Ask God to help you experience the last week of Jesus' life on earth as you have never experienced it before. Do not take for granted that the children you teach understand the love Jesus has for people. Dwell in Jesus' love. Praise Him for His commitment to follow God's plan for His life. Do you believe the statement, "I can know Jesus is worthy of my praise"? If so, demonstrate it this week.
Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes)
Greet the ChildrenPlay "Connect Four"
Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes)
Call to Worship/PraySing "Happy Day"Sing "Whoa!"Introduce the Bible StoryTell the Bible StoryReview the Bible StorySing "Nothing Compares to the Glory"/
Receive OfferingSing "Take a Chance"Use Worship Guides/Make Life
ApplicationShow "Backyard Explorers" Video #1Learn the Key Bible VersePray
Application Activities (20 minutes)
Wrap-Up (10 minutes)
Week of April 1, 2012
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Introduction to Worship
The Triumphal Entry
1aGreet the Children
2aPlay "Connect Four"
Pull It TogetherScrap paper, scissors, table•Print "Connect Four" (CD). Copy 1 card per child.
Cut apart. •Place the cards on the table.•Tear the paper into small pieces (game markers).
Teacher TipUse buttons as game markers.
•Guide each child to select a card.•Say: "I will call out one word at a time. Locate
and cover the word on your card. When you get four in a row, shout, 'Connect Four!' "
•Call out the words in random order.•Play as time permits.
Worship 3aCall to Worship/Pray (2 minutes)•Read aloud Psalm 63:4.•Pray.
4aSing "Happy Day" (DVD, 3 minutes)
5 Sing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes)
6aIntroduce the Bible Story (2 minutes)•Say: "This month we will learn about the
last days of Jesus' life on earth before His crucifixion. Today we will learn what happened as Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time. Open your Bibles to Matthew 21."
•Ask: "Do you remember some of the words on your Connect Four cards? What were they?"
•Recall the words. •Say: "Listen to the words and how they relate to
the Bible story."
7aTell the Bible Story (7 minutes)
Pull It TogetherTape•Print and display "Triumphal Entry" Teaching
Picture (CD).•Print "Locations" (CD). Display around the room.
•Call attention to the teaching picture.
•Say: "Pretend you are one of the people watching the events happen."
•Open your Bible to Matthew 21.
The Triumphal EntryBased on Matthew 21:1-17
[Stand beside "Jerusalem" sign.] Jesus and the disciples came near Jerusalem. Jesus told two of the disciples, "Go into the village. A donkey and her colt will be tied there. Untie them and bring them to Me." He said, "If someone asks you what you are doing, tell him, 'The Lord needs them' and he will send them with you." These events happened to fulfill what the Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, "Your King is coming in a gentle manner. He will ride on a donkey."
The disciples obeyed and brought the donkey and colt to Jesus. They placed their robes on the animals for Jesus. As He rode by, a crowd of people placed their robes on the road, while others cut tree branches and placed them on the road. The people following Jesus shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people in the city asked, "Who is this?" The crowd following Jesus said, "This is Jesus from Nazareth!"
[Stand beside "Temple" sign.] Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple. He drove out the people buying and selling things, and turned over the money changers' tables. Jesus said, "My house will be a place of prayer. You are making it a place for thieves!"
People with all kinds of physical needs came to Jesus for healing. When the chief religious leaders saw the things Jesus did and how the children in the temple cheered, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they became mad. Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Haven't you read, 'Praise has been prepared from the mouths of children and babies?' " Jesus left the temple and spent the night in a place named Bethany.
[Stand beside "Fig Tree" sign.] The next morning, on His way back to Jerusalem, Jesus walked past a fig tree. Jesus was hungry and went to the tree,
Page 2 of 17
but found there was no fruit on it. He said to the tree, "You will never bear fruit again." At once, the tree withered. This amazed the disciples. They asked, "How did the tree wither so fast?" Jesus said, "If you have faith, you will be able to do great things. If you believe, you will receive what you pray for."
8aReview the Bible Story (5 minutes)
Pull It Together"Connect Four" Cards (Introduction to Worship)
•Distribute cards.•Say: "Look at the words on the cards. Someone
tell me a word and how it relates to our story."•Select a child to respond. •Continue as time permits.•Say: "Today's Bible story had a lot of facts.
Let's focus on one part of the story. What did the people shout as Jesus rode by them?"
•Continue: "Hosanna means 'save now.' In what ways did the people praise Jesus?"
•Ask: "Why is Jesus worthy of our praise? What are some ways we can praise Jesus?"
9a Sing "Nothing Compares to the Glory" (DVD, 3 minutes)/Receive Offering
10 Sing "Take a Chance" (DVD, 3 minutes)
11a Use Worship Guides/Make Life Application (5 minutes)
Pull It TogetherWorship Guides, pencils
•Distribute Worship Guides and pencils.•Call attention to "A Path to Remember." •Say: "Each of our Worship Guides this month
will include a path. Save your Worship Guides to connect together. The path can help us remember the last few days of Jesus' life on earth and how He returned to heaven."
•Guide the children to complete "Ways to Praise."
•Ask: "What was wrong with the actions you crossed out? In what ways can we praise Jesus?"
•Say: "The people following Jesus shouted, 'Hosanna!' What can we say to praise Jesus?"
•Direct the children to complete "Fill It In!"•Say: "We can know Jesus is worthy of our
praise, but we must do more than know this. We must praise Jesus."
•Discuss ways people praise Jesus.•Challenge the children to praise Jesus each day
this week.
12a Show "Backyard Explorers" Video #1 (DVD, 8 minutes)
•Ask: "Have you ever heard your friends talk about a person in ways that seem to make him too great? Maybe they say something like 'he is the best,' or 'no one is better than him.' "
•Continue: "Does the person live up to the things people say about him? Does it sound like the person is being praised because of what he can and cannot do? Let's see what happens when the Backyard Explorers meet Jungle Joe."
•Show the video.•Ask: "How did Jack, Jacob, and Elizabeth feel
after meeting Jungle Joe?"•Conclude: "It is OK to say good things about
people, but we have to be careful that we do not praise them the same way we praise God."
13 Learn the Key Bible Verse (5 minutes)
Pull It TogetherInflated balloons, permanent marker, poster board, stopwatch•Print the words and reference of Psalm 63:4 on the
poster board. Display.•Write the words and reference of Psalm 63:4 on
the balloons (1 word per balloon).
Teacher TipWrite more than 1 word on each balloon if you have a small group of children.
•Call attention to the poster.•Invite the children to read aloud the verse.•Toss the balloons into the middle of the group.•Say: "Toss the balloons around. When I say,
'Stop,' if there is a balloon near you, hold on to it. I'll say, 'Go,' and start the stopwatch. Let's see how quickly we can get the words in the correct order."
•Time the children in arranging the balloons.•Guide the children to read aloud the verse. •Continue as time allows.
14aPray (1 minute)•Lead the children to stand in a circle and say
prayers of praise to Jesus.
15a Transition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up
Week of April 1, 2012Page 3 of 17
Wrap-Up(Large Group Only Format)
Wrap-Up(Application Activities Format)
Week of April 1, 2012 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
16aReview Application Activities (5 minutes)•Invite the children to share their Application
Activity experiences.d Arts and Crafts—Sponges of Praised Dramatic Play—Praise Songs, Poems, or
Rapsd Games—The Number Is…d Exploration and Discovery—Praisezoid
17aReview Life Application/Pray (2 minutes)•Say: "We can know in our heads that Jesus is
worthy of praise, but we must do more than know this. We need to put praise into practice. This week, sing a praise song, write a poem of praise, shout praises, or take time to tell Jesus how special He is to you."
•Lead the children to pray.
18aSing "Live It Out" (DVD, 3 minutes)
19aDismiss the Children to Their Parents
Teacher TipLooking for additional resources to enhance your teaching? Check out the Levels of Biblical Learning resources available at www.lifeway.com/levelsofbiblicallearning.
16 Play "Pass the Praise" (5 minutes)
Pull It Together2 palm leaves, scissors, gift bag, upbeat Christian music CD, CD player•Print "Praise" (CD). Cut apart and place in bag.
Teacher Tips•Palm leaves may be purchased from a local flower
shop. •Cut palm leaves from green construction paper.
•Guide the children to form a circle.•Say: "As the music plays we will pass the palm
leaves around the circle. When the music stops, the people holding the leaves will retrieve questions from the bag. They will select individuals to answer the questions."
•Play music and pass the leaves.•Pause the music and guide the children to
select and read aloud the questions.•Continue as time permits.
17 Review Life Application/Pray (2 minutes)•Say: "We can know in our heads that Jesus is
worthy of praise, but we must do more than know this. We need to put praise into practice. This week, sing a praise song, write a poem of praise, shout praises, or take time to tell Jesus how special He is to you."
•Lead the children to pray.
18 Sing "Live It Out" (DVD, 3 minutes)
19 Dismiss the Children to Their Parents
Ask YourselfAs a result of this session,
H
N
D
What did the children hear about praising Jesus?
What will the children know about praising Jesus?
What will the children do as a result of knowing Jesus is worthy of praise?
* Worship KidStyle Music CD (005075282) may be ordered through LifeWay Christian Resources Customer Service Center at 1.800.458.2772 or online at www.lifeway.com.
Page 4 of 17
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time.
Worship Through Dramatic PlayPraise Songs, Poems, or Raps•Say: "Imagine for a few minutes you were present when Jesus rode by on
His way to Jerusalem. How do you think you would feel? Would you be excited? Would you place your coat on the ground in front of Jesus?"
•Review the Bible story.•Select a volunteer to read aloud Psalm 63:4. •Ask: "What are some ways we can praise Jesus? How does it make you feel
when you praise Him?"•Continue: "Let's work in groups to write praise songs, poems, or raps. You
can use the split tracks from our worship songs, write original poems, or create your own rap."
•Guide the children to form groups.•Assist as needed.•Invite the groups to perform their songs or poems.•Explain: "We find many songs and poems of praise in the Bible. The Book
of Psalms contains many of these. Listen as I read aloud a few praises." •Read aloud Psalms 29, 47, and 92 (adjust as time permits).•Say: "The people shouted praises to Jesus. We can praise Him for
everything He has done for us."•Invite the children to state aloud prayers, praising Jesus.
Week of April 1, 2012
Worship Through Arts and CraftsSponges of Praise•Ask: "When you have really exciting news, is it difficult to keep it to
yourself? How excited do you think the people were as Jesus rode by them?"
•Continue: "How do you think the people in the temple felt about Jesus?"•Review the Bible story.•Place the supplies on the table.•Say: "Let's make 'sponges of praise.' "•Follow directions on "Sponges of Praise."•Say: "Let's arrange our sponges in a group and pretend Jesus is riding by
on His way to Jerusalem. What would the 'sponges' shout?"•Select a volunteer to read aloud Psalm 63:4. •Ask: "What are some ways we can praise Jesus? How does it make you feel
when you praise Him?"•Say: "Take your 'sponge of praise' home and place it in your room. Each
day this week, remember to praise Jesus."•Invite the children to pray sentence prayers, praising Jesus.
Pull It TogetherCraft glue, large googly eyes (2 per child), small pom-poms (1 per child), small sponges (1 per child), chenille stems, suction cups (2 per child), yarn or ribbon, craft foam, fabric scraps, scissors, permanent marker, green construction paper, table•Print "Sponges of
Praise" (CD). •Remove metal hooks
from suction cups.
Teacher TipProvide a variety of sizes and colors of sponges.
Pull It TogetherPaper, pencils, CD player, Worship KidStyle Music CD*
Teacher Tips•Be prepared to assist
the children as needed.
•Provide rhythm instruments or computer-generated drum loops.
•Allow the children to write words to a popular melody.
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OK to copy.Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Worship Through Exploration and DiscoveryPraisezoid•Say: "Imagine for a few minutes you were present when Jesus rode by on
His way to Jerusalem. How do you think you would feel? Would you be excited? Would you place your coat on the ground in front of Jesus?"
•Review the Bible story.•Select a volunteer to read aloud Psalm 63:4. •Ask: "What are some ways we can praise Jesus? How does it make you feel
when you praise Him?"•Distribute "Praisezoid," scissors, pencils, and tape.•Guide the children to cut out the circles. •Say: "Let's research some words we can use in our praise. The Book of
Psalms contains many words and phrases that describe God."•Lead the children to locate and read aloud the verses listed on their circles. •Say: "Write one or two praise words on each circle."•Demonstrate how to fold and assemble the praisezoid. •Encourage the children to use their praisezoids as reminders to praise
Jesus throughout the week. •Say: "Jesus is the only Son of God, and He was sent to be our Savior. We
can know Jesus is worthy of our praise."•Invite the children to pray sentence prayers, praising Jesus.
The Number Is…•Guide the children to form a circle.•Explain: "In our game today we will count and use the word praise. The
first person will begin with number 1. We will continue around the circle counting aloud until we reach the number 6. Instead of saying 'six,' the person will say 'praise.' Each time 6 is in the number, we will say 'praise.' This would include 16, 26, 36, and so on. Let's see how far we can count without making a mistake."
•Play the game. Restart if a person says the number "six" instead of "praise."
•Display the craft sticks.•Select a volunteer to choose a craft stick.•Say: "This time we will try not to say the number ___" (fill in the blank with
the number indicated on the craft stick).•Continue with additional numbers as time allows. •Say: "It's fun to play games, however, praising is not a game. How do we
praise Jesus?"•Review the Bible story.•Select a volunteer to read aloud Psalm 63:4.•Say: "Jesus is the only Son of God, and He was sent to be our Savior. We
can know Jesus is worthy of our praise."•Invite the children to pray sentence prayers, praising Jesus.
Worship Through GamesPull It Together10 craft sticks, marker•Write the numbers 0-9
on the craft sticks (1 number per stick).
Teacher Tips•Encourage the children
to keep the game moving as quickly as possible.
•Write the words of Psalm 63:4 on poster board. Guide the children to state aloud the words instead of numbers. At the word "praise," encourage the children to wave their hands in the air or do another action of praise.
Pull It TogetherHeavyweight paper, children's scissors, glue sticks, pencils, tape•Print "Praisezoid" (CD)
on heavyweight paper (1 copy of page 2 per child).
Teacher TipPrecut the circles for younger children.
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The Triumphal Entry© 1999 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA. Matthew 21:1-17
Page 7 of 17
Connect Four (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Jesu
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Connect Four (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Jesu
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Jeru
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Hea
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Connect Four (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Jesu
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Hea
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Don
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Locations (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Jeru
salem
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Locations (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Temp
le
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Locations (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Fig T
ree
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Praise (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
To what city was Jesus traveling?
(Jerusalem)Quote Psalm 63:4.
Name three ways you can praise Jesus this week.
(Answers will vary.)
What did Jesus tell two of His disciples to bring Him?
(a donkey and colt)
Which Old Testament prophet told about Jesus
riding on a donkey? (Isaiah)
What did the people shout to Jesus?
("Hosanna!")
What did people place on the road in front of Jesus?
(robes and palm leaves)
Why did Jesus drive the people buying and selling things out of the temple?
(He said they were making the temple a place of thieves instead of a place of prayer.)
True or False: The chief religious leaders did not worry
about Jesus healing people.
What happened to the fig tree? (Jesus saw it did not have any fruit on it and
said it would never bear fruit again.)
In your own words, what does it mean to praise?
(Answers will vary.)
Why is Jesus worthy of our praise? (Answers will vary.)
Page 14 of 17
Sponges of Praise (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Supplies: sponge, chenille stems, 2 eyes, 1 pom-pom, 2 suction cups, fabric, and ribbon (yarn) - per child
1. Glue eyes and nose (pom-pom) onto the sponge.
2. Draw a mouth.
3. Fold 2 chenille stems in half. Wrap around each suction cup to form legs.
4. Insert chenille stems into the bottom of the sponge. Glue in place.
5. Cut 1 chenille stem in half. Insert in the sponge to form the arms.
6. Cut palm leaves from construction paper and glue to the end of the arms.
Sponges of Praise
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Praisezoid (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
3. Tape or glue the folded the edges together.
1. Cut out each circle.
2. Fold inward on dotted lines.
Praisezoids
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Praisezoid (April 1) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Spring 2012© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.
Psalm 8:1 Psalm 23:1
Psalm 24:8 Psalm 27:1
Psalm 46:1 Psalm 95:3-6
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