Unit 8 Session 1 UNIT 8 SESSION 1 Use Week of: JESUS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 KEY PASSAGE: Luke 24:6 MAIN POINT: Jesus is alive. BIBLE PASSAGE: The Bible Story Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. Jesus and His friends went to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus rode to Jerusalem on a donkey. Long ago, God said His special King would ride a donkey. Everyone came out to see Jesus. They put their coats and palm branches on the ground in front of Jesus donkey. They treated Jesus like a king! The people shouted Hosanna! Then Jesus went to the temple. Some people were not treating the temple the right way, so Jesus made them leave. Sick people came to Him, and Jesus healed them. Even children praised Jesus. They knew Jesus was their King. BABIES GOSPEL GEMS **Jesus is God s Son. **God sent Jesus because He loves us. **People and children praised Jesus as King. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject. 26 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 8 Session 1 2015 LifeWay
Babies Activities LOOK IN THE BIBLE Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to hold and turn the pages. Open your Bible to Matthew 21. Show the Bible story picture as you say the Gospel Gems. You may read the key passage card. SAY: Jesus is God s Son. God sent Jesus because He loves us. People and children praised Jesus as King. JESUS IS ALIVE! [Pray.] SING A SONG Sing the chorus of O How I Love Jesus : O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus Because He first loved me. SAY: God made people, and God loves people. Jesus is God s Son. God sent Jesus because He loves us. JESUS IS ALIVE! EXPLORE NATURE ITEMS Post an allergy alert. Provide real or artificial palm branches for babies to handle. You may also fan babies with the palm branches. SAY: This is a palm branch. People put palm branches in front of Jesus. People and children praised Jesus as King. JESUS IS ALIVE! WAVE YOUR HANDS Invite babies to practice waving their hands. You may also provide colorful scarves or plastic links for babies to wave. SAY: People were so happy to see Jesus. People and children praised Jesus as King. Jesus is God s Son! JESUS IS ALIVE! Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church s security guidelines. Give parents today s big picture card. Repeat the Gospel Gems and Bible-learning activities for babies who stay a second hour. 27
Toddler Activities CIRCLE TIME (5 MINUTES) Provide Bibles for toddlers to hold. Read the key passage card and guide toddlers to say it. Open your Bible to Matthew 21. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the story. SAY: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus is God s Son. God sent Jesus because He loves us. JESUS IS ALIVE! [Pray.] MAKE PALM BRANCHES Provide heavyweight paper and green finger paint. Assist toddlers as they dip their hands in paint and gently press their open palms to their paper. Wipe hands immediately. Write the toddler s name and the main point on each paper. SAY: Jesus is God s Son. Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. People and children praised Jesus as King. JESUS IS ALIVE! WORK PUZZLES Provide wooden puzzles about Jesus for toddlers to work. If you do not have puzzles, cut the Bible story picture in four squares. SAY: There is no one like Jesus! Jesus is God s Son. JESUS IS ALIVE! STEP ON COATS Provide several adult robes or button-up shirts. Make a path on the ground with the coats and invite toddlers to walk on them. SAY: People put their coats on the ground in front of Jesus. People and children praised Jesus as King. JESUS IS ALIVE! MAKE A PALM LEAF RUBBING Tape an artificial palm leaf to the table and cover it with a piece of paper. Invite toddlers to take turns rubbing an unwrapped crayon over the leaf. Display the finished product. SAY: People and children praised Jesus as King. JESUS IS ALIVE! 28 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 8 Session 1
Bonus Teaching Hour JESUS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 KEY PASSAGE: Luke 24:6 MAIN POINT: Jesus is alive. BIBLE PASSAGE: TRANSITION ACTIVITY: PIN THE TAIL Draw a simple outline of a donkey on a large sheet of paper. Tape the paper to the wall at toddlers height. Cut a strip of gray paper or ribbon and stick a piece of tape at one end. Invite toddlers to pin the tail on the donkey. (They do not have to close their eyes.) SAY: Do you know what sounds a donkey makes? [Demonstrate.] Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. God sent Jesus because He loves us. JESUS IS ALIVE! SHOUT HOSANNA Invite toddlers to march around the room with you as you play a favorite song. When you stop the music, toddlers will stand still and shout Hosanna! SAY: Hosanna means save now. People and children praised Jesus as King. Jesus is God s Son! JESUS IS ALIVE! WAVE PALM BRANCHES Print the Palm Template on green paper and cut out the shapes. Give one to each toddler. Invite them to wave the palm branches. SAY: People were happy to see Jesus. People and children praised Jesus as King! God sent Jesus because He loves us. JESUS IS ALIVE! Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church s security procedures. Give parents today s big picture card to reinforce today s Bible story, Main Point, or Gospel Gems throughout the week. 29
Jesus Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19) Unit 8, Session 1 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
He has been resurrected! Luke 24:6 (HCSB) He is risen. Luke 24:6 (KJV) He has risen. Luke 24:6 (ESV) He has risen! Luke 24:6 (NIV) Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 8 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Key Passage Cards Instructions: Print and cut apart the cards. Laminate them or cover them with clear contact plastic. Use the translation of your choice as directed in the Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide.
Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 8 Session 1 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Palm Template Instructions: Print and cut out the palm branches. Use as directed in the Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide.