Session FOR THE LEADER 7 The Triumphal Entry Luke 19:28-40 Sometime after Jesus encounter with Simon, Jesus set His mind to go to Jerusalem. Jesus knew this would be the last time He would go to Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Approaching the cities of Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus sent two of His disciples into the city ahead of Him. The city of Bethany was about two or three miles from Jerusalem, down a sloping hill called the Mount of Olives. Jesus knew a young donkey on which no one had ever sat was waiting in the city. Jesus instructed the two disciples to enter the city, find the young donkey, and bring it to Him. While untying the donkey, the men responded to the owners with the words given to them by Jesus the Lord needs it. The men took the donkey to Jesus. The disciples threw their outer cloaks over the animal s back to create a more stable seat and helped Jesus climb onto the animal. As Jesus began His descent of the Mount of Olives, other disciples began to place their robes on the path in front of the donkey. This simple act denoted a royal reception for Jesus as the spreading of robes was a typical welcome home for a king returning from battle. As Jesus got closer to the city, others began placing their robes on the ground as well and began quoting Psalm 118:26, welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as the blessed king who comes in the name of the Lord. Not uncharacteristic of them, the Pharisees were not pleased that the people responded this way to Jesus. The Pharisees already had many issues with Jesus claims as well as the attention He received. In an apparent attempt to quiet the crowds, the Pharisees admonished Jesus to silence His disciples. Jesus knew that God would be praised by His entry into Jerusalem and told the Pharisees that if humans ceased to give Him praise, God would ordain the rocks to cry out in their place. Unlike in the past when Jesus warned those He healed against telling others, this day was the day God ordained for all creation to tell the majesty of the Savior. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Triumphal Entry 53
OVERVIEW SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 19:28-40 MEMORY VERSE: Luke 19:38a TEXT TRUTH: Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Luke gives a detailed description of the life of Jesus. Jesus was described as the Son of Man who came to save all people Jews and Gentiles. Because Jesus was fully human, He was tempted and suffered as we do. Luke showed that Jesus cares for people and can understand when we face hard times. GET STARTED TOOLS (10 MINUTES) Bible Skills: Bibles, Battle Grid (Poster Pack), sticky notes, Review Questions (enhanced CD), marker board, dry erase marker, pen BIBLE STUDY TOOLS (35 MINUTES) Jump In: Diptych (DVD-ROM), index cards, marker Examine the Text: Bibles, Text Truth Strips and Christ in Context: Luke (Poster Pack) Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: Luke 19:38a (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards SMALL GROUP TOOLS (30 MINUTES) Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens Move: round felt stickers, flat marbles or decorative gems, painter s tape, marker, table, marker board, dry erase marker Make: colored paper, hot glue gun and glue sticks, craft sticks, pens Explore: oranges, bowls, water, peeling tool, Allergy Alert (enhanced CD) NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible. 54 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STORY THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Luke 19:28-40 Jesus had traveled all over to tell people about God and His kingdom. Jesus knew it was time to go to Jerusalem. As He got closer to the cities of Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus sent two of the disciples into the village. Jesus told them, You will find a young donkey. Bring it here. If someone asks you what you are doing, tell them that the Lord needs the donkey. The two disciples did exactly as Jesus told them. They brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their robes on the animal. Jesus began to ride the donkey toward Jerusalem. People gathered along the road and spread their robes across the road. The people began to praise God. They said, The King who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One. The religious teachers did not like what the people were doing. They told Jesus that He should stop the people. Jesus said, If the people were silent, the rocks would praise Me. KEY POINTS Jesus knew it was only a little time before He would be crucified. People praised Jesus. TEXT CONNECTION Jesus had been all around telling many people about the truths of the Kingdom of God. As part of God s plan, Jesus knew that He needed to go to Jerusalem so He could offer Himself as the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. Jesus approached the towns of Bethphage and Bethany and sent His disciples into the city to find a donkey on which no one had ridden. Jesus disciples took the animal to Jesus and laid their coats upon the animal. Then Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of those gathered. Rebuked by the religious leaders, Jesus stated that if the people did not praise Him, the rocks themselves would cry out to Him. This further angered the religious leaders and fueled the events of the coming week. As Jesus was received into Jerusalem and hailed as a king, He continued to show love and compassion for all. Mark 9 shares another story of Jesus compassion for all people, not just the Jews, but those infirmed by evil spirits as well. EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOME See the enhanced CD for additional family resources. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Triumphal Entry 55
GET STARTED TOOLS: Bible Skills: Bibles, Battle Grid (Poster Pack), sticky notes, Review Questions (enhanced CD), marker board, dry erase marker, pen PREPARATION: Bible Skills: Mark sticky notes with session and question numbers to coordinate with selected review questions. Place the sticky notes on the back of the grid. TIP: The Battle Grid poster is used again in Session 12. GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) BIBLE SKILLS Form teams. This activity works well with two teams, but more teams might work better for larger groups. The only consideration for the number of teams is score keeping. Display the Battle Grid. Because the sticky notes representing the review questions are on the back of the grid, ensure that the kids are only able to see the front. Select a volunteer to place a blank sticky note on a square on the front of the grid. That square will correspond to a square on the back of the grid. If the corresponding square is empty, the volunteer does not get a point. If the square contains a review question, it is worth one point. Read the question from the sticky note on the back of the grid. The volunteer can choose to answer the question to earn five points or discuss it with her team before giving the answer to earn three points. No points will be given for an incorrect answer. Alternate teams for each turn. Allow the boys and girls to update the score on the board every time points are earned. After the grid has been filled, the team with the most points wins. Dismiss to Bible Study. BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT Learns the Bible is God s message about Himself and how He rescues and transforms us. Pronounces most of the names of Bible people, places, and things mentioned in the Bible. 56 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN Greet the kids as you welcome them to Bible Study. Say: I knew you would be here today. In fact, I was so confident that I wrote your names down before we ever gathered together. Give the corresponding cards to each boy and girl. Offer the new friend cards to any visitors. Ask: Since I had your name cards prepared, does that make this fulfilled prophecy? Allow the kids to respond. Explain how today s prediction was a logical guess, not biblical prophecy. Display the Diptych visual, and invite the kids to describe what they see. Explain that a diptych is two panels of artwork that are hinged together. Say: This image represents a very special moment when Jesus fulfilled a prophecy. It s one example that proves Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. EXAMINE THE TEXT Display and reference Christ in Context: Luke to emphasize Jesus as the main focus of the story of the Bible. Tell the Bible story using the included page as a guide. Say: This is more than simply a description of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. With this triumphal entry He publicly identified Himself as the Messiah. Encourage the girls and boys to open their Bibles to Luke. Say: Let s look at a couple of details that reveal this event as the fulfillment of prophecy. Read or have the kids help read Luke 13:33; 18:31-33; 19:28. Say: Jesus described the result of His journey to Jerusalem before He ever arrived. He warned that He would go to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again. Although people misunderstood His mission at the time, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for an eternal purpose. Read or have the kids help read Luke 19:35-38 and Zechariah 9:9. Invite the boys and girls to compare the two passages and look for key words that show the same event being described. Say: His arrival in Jerusalem in that moment was promised in the Book of Zechariah long before Jesus was born. It was not a coincidence. It was fulfilled prophecy. As He said in Luke 18:31, Jesus fulfilled what was written by the prophets. Enlist a volunteer to display the Text Truth Strip and read it aloud to the group. Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. Spend a few minutes discussing the upcoming week. Ask the boys and girls to describe their expectations for the week. Invite everyone to suggest ways they might prepare for Easter. TOOLS: Jump In: Diptych (DVD- ROM), index cards, marker Examine the Text: Bibles, Text Truth Strips and Christ in Context: Luke (Poster Pack) Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: Luke 19:38a (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards PREPARATION: Jump In: Write the names of any girls and boys who might possibly be present on individual index cards. Include a few cards with new friend written instead of a name. DEFINITION: Prophecy: Word of God to a group of people. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Triumphal Entry 57
BIBLE STUDY Recommend praying, reading the Bible, and inviting others to church. Say: Take every opportunity this week to focus on Jesus. He deserves our worship, not only because He paid the penalty of sin, but also because He promised He would long before it was time. Only God could fulfill that impossible promise. PLAY THE VIDEO Play the Session 7 video. Ask: Why were Joel and Kaileigh practicing a song? What did they discover about the Book of Luke? MEMORY VERSE Review the previous week s verse, 1 John 1:9. Commend any boys and girls who are able to recite it without help. Say: It s always exciting to review the Memory Verses we practice together. I love how much we re learning about God. Invite the girls and boys to recite any verses they remember from previous sessions. Display the posters, if necessary. Emphasize how much the kids are learning, even if they do not remember the verses very well. Display the Luke 19:38a poster, and read it aloud to the kids. Practice this verse by reading it aloud together as a group. Repeat it as many times as necessary for the kids to say it without looking. Allow volunteers to recite it to the group. PRAYER Distribute the Family Cards. Say: You should have a lot of fun sharing your cards with your families this week. Not only do you get to discuss everything you learned today, but you also get a chance to prepare them for the Bible story coming next week! Allow the boys and girls to share how they plan to announce to friends and family that Easter is coming. Review the Text Truth: Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. Invite each of the girls and boys to individually repeat the Text Truth. Close in prayer by thanking God for sending Jesus to save sinners. Ask Him to help the kids understand His sacrifice and how they can worship Him. Dismiss to Small Group. 58 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
SMALL GROUP SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES) EXPLORER GUIDES Distribute an Explorer Guide to each girl and boy. Help the kids locate today s pages The Triumphal Entry. Help the kids identify each item in What Did the People Say? (Answer: Blessed is the King.) Allow kids to examine the map and read about Jesus Final Days. Select several kids to take turns reading about Bible times clothing in Hosanna! Review today s object, Diptych. Lead kids to apply today s Bible story by completing the Robe Praise. TOOLS: Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) Prior to group, download the Explore the Bible: Kids Family App. Use the activity labeled Explorer Plus on the app. ACTIVITIES Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows. MOVE MARBLE SLIDE Tools: round felt stickers, flat marbles or decorative gems, painter s tape, marker, table, marker board, dry erase marker Tape lines along the sides of a table to designate sections. Do not run the tape across the table, because it will inhibit the sliding of the marbles. Write a word of the Text Truth on each taped line, or assign each word to a section. Draw a grid on the marker board with eight columns. In the first column, list each kid s name. Leave blank spaces under the headings of each word of the Text Truth: Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. This will be the scoreboard to mark as the boys and girls earn points corresponding to the words of the Text Truth. Provide round felt stickers and flat marbles to the kids. Guide them to attach the stickers to the bottom of the flat marbles to help them slide on the table. Allow the girls and boys to take turns sliding a marble across the table. Set up multiple tables, if possible, to allow simultaneous games. Another option is to provide practice tables. It will help occupy the boys and girls who are waiting for their turns. As a marble lands in a section, mark the scoreboard in the appropriate place, and remove the marble to clear the table for the next person s turn. The first person to land a marble in each section is the winner. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Triumphal Entry 59
SMALL GROUP MAKE EXPLORE TEXT TRUTH FAN Tools: colored paper, hot glue gun and glue sticks, craft sticks, pens Cut enough colored paper for each boy and girl to have a strip. Exact size is not required, but typical paper results in strips measuring eleven inches long and a little over four inches wide. Recruit another leader to operate the hot glue gun to ensure the safety of the kids. Instruct the girls and boys to write the Text Truth somewhere on their individual papers. Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. Demonstrate how to fold approximately oneinch alternating folds all the way down the length of the paper. This is sometimes called an accordion fold, because of the alternating creases. Provide a strip of paper to each boy and girl. Assist them in folding their papers. The folds do not need to be perfect, but they will be happier with the results if they are careful to stay as consistent as possible. Leader Only: Using the hot glue, glue one end of the paper fan to one of the craft sticks. Repeat with the other side. Allow the glue to cool and set. Use the sticks to open and close the fan. Or allow kids to make their fan permanently open by gluing the bottom ends of craft sticks together, one on top of the other. ORANGE FLOATS Tools: oranges, bowls, water, peeling tool, Allergy Alert (enhanced CD) Begin by discussing the Text Truth: Jesus is worthy of honor and praise. Ask the boys and girls to explain why Jesus deserves such treatment, then ask how we can give Him honor and praise. Say: We might need to change our attitudes or change our focus. We might need to stop participating in a certain behavior or treat specific people with more respect. Sometimes, one small change can make a big difference. Offer an orange and a bowl of water to each kid. They can share, if there are not enough available for each person. Ask the girls and boys if they think the oranges will float when submerged in water. Allow them to respond. Invite the kids to place their oranges in the water and report what they discover. The oranges should all float. Allow the boys and girls to hold the oranges under the water for a moment to try to get them to stay. The oranges should rise to the top again. Guide the kids to remove the oranges from the water and tear the peel from the oranges. Using a peeling tool to assist will save time. Once all the girls and boys have removed their orange peels, instruct them to place the oranges back in the water. This time they should sink. Say: One thing can be enough to make all the difference. Small changes can honor Jesus in big ways. What change do you need to make to show that Jesus is worthy of honor and praise? Think about that quietly for a minute. Close in prayer. 60 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay