Discussion Guide for Palm Sunday

In order to do this lesson as a family, set aside 15-20 minutes and grab a Bible, whether that's looking at the biblical text with older kids, or at the Spark Story Bible that we use for younger kids.  And while it's obviously not the same as going to church, I'd encourage you to think about ways to help make your home a worshipful space: light a candle, say a prayer, sing a hymn or a Chapel song, or maybe take a moment of silence and some deep breaths.  Everything listed below is meant to be optional -- you can pick and choose what will work best with your family.

Opening Your Time Together:

  • Checking In - Although it was obviously disruptive in prior weeks, being home during Holy Week and Spring Break for many schools can bring on a wave of additional disappoint - for kids and adults!  So, as usual, take some time before you begin to ask your kids where they're at.  How are they feeling?  Is there anything that they're worried about?  What are some things that they are really missing right now?  Remind them that you love them and that you're there for them no matter what during this time.  
 
  • Opening Prayer - God, we really wish we were at church waving palms today.  We miss seeing our church friends and family, and the start of Holy Week feels a whole lot different than normal.  But this is the start of the most important week in our church year, as we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem as people cheered in the streets.  This week is a reminder of the depth of love that you have for us and for our world - and so we pray that we can feel your love today.  Help us to share that love with everyone, whether through a smile, a kind word, or an act of generosity - not just today, but in all days.  Amen.
 
  • Opening Hymn - All Glory Laud and Honor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzM6yNynRc - the link is to an organ instrumental of this song.  The video is a still shot, though, so if your kids would rather see someone playing it, the following video may be better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REfNtrjJWPs 
    • ​Verse 1 - All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. You are the King of Israel and David's royal Son, now in the Lord's name coming, the King and Blessed One. 
    • Verse 2 - The company of angels is praising you on high; and we with all creation in chorus make reply.  The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went; our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present. 
    • Verse 3 - To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise; to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise. As you received their praises, accept the prayers we bring, for you delight in goodness, O good and gracious King! 
 
  • Opening Chapel Song - Doxology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUco1i7fEns - the link is to a piano version, which is exactly what we play at the start of Chapel each Sunday.  See if your kids remember the hand motions that go along with this hymn - they might be able to teach you too!

Reading the Bible:

  • Open up to the passage, whether in the Bible or the Spark Bible.  Ask your kids if they are familiar with this passage and, if so, what they remember.  
  • Read the passage together.  Bible - Luke 19:28-40,  Spark Bible - pages 454 to 459
  • (Optional) You can also practice something called lectio divina, which basically means you read through the passage once, asking kids to listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at them.  After reading, everyone shares their answers and then you read the passage again, listening for new insights!

Discussing the Passage:

  • For Younger Kids 
  • ​Today is a very exciting day in our church calendar, as we remember how people cheered welcoming Jesus into the big city of Jerusalem.  Why do you think people were so excited to see Jesus?  
  • Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey as a sign that he wasn't like other kings... what would YOU have chosen to ride into Jerusalem on?
  • This is the start of Holy Week, the most important week in our church calendar, and it ends with Easter next Sunday.  What are some ways that we could make this a special week of learning and listening to God?
 
  • For Older Kids 
  • Jesus riding into Jerusalem was similar to how kings/emperors would ride into conquered cities - but with an important difference: he was riding a humble donkey!  How was Jesus different from other leaders at the time?  What does "servant leadership" look like?
  • Jesus' welcome by the crowds made some of the civil and religious authorities a little nervous... why do you think they were so afraid of him?  
  • The people who lined the streets were shouting "Hosanna", a word that roughly meant, "Save us!"  Many people think that the crowds wanted Jesus to save them from Roman rule, but that obviously wasn't what Jesus had in mind.  Do you think people were disappointed when Jesus didn't do what they wanted?  Why was Jesus' way of saving people better?
 ​
Closing Your Time Together:

  • Closing Prayer - God, even though we are celebrating just like those crowds did welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem, we know that there are difficult things to come.  Later on this week, Jesus will be betrayed by someone he loved, abandoned by his disciples, and arrested by the authorities.  So too, we know that there continue to be many difficulties and challenges in our city and world.  We lift up our worries and sadness to you, but today we also celebrate - knowing the hope that we have in you, and knowing the promises of Easter morning are a week away.  We are all awaiting that time of hope, new life, and rebirth.  So, help us wait, O Lord.  Keep us mindful of you in all that we are and do.  Amen.
 
  • Closing Hymn - Hosanna, Loud Hosanna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMROiijRxIw - although we typically would end Palm Sunday with a "Passion" hymn, I have lessons for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday posted... so we'll end with some Palm Sunday triumph instead.
    • Verse 1 - Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
    • Verse 2 - From Olivet they followed, mid an exultant crowd, the victory palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.
    • Verse 3 - "Hosanna in the highest!"  That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King. O may we ever praise him​ with heart and life and voice,​ and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice.