Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12
Story Point: People welcomed Jesus as their King.
Family Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it important that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey?
Lead kids to conclude that Jesus’ fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies was evidence that Jesus is God’s Son, the promised Messiah. Discuss how Jesus’ entry on a donkey showed His humility. He didn’t enter the city on a warhorse like people might expect a victorious king to do. (Read Matt. 5:17.)
2. Have you learned anything about Jesus that surprises you? Guide kids to identify attributes of Jesus that they did not expect from a king. Help them consider the ways in which the kingdom of God is “upside-down” from kingdoms of the world. (Read John 18:36.)
3. What do you think it will be like when King Jesus returns? Invite kids to share their ideas. (Read Isa. 65:17-19.)
Family Activity:
Read aloud Mark 11:1-11.
Make palm-leaf cookies by following these steps:
1. Cut frozen cookie dough into 2 x 1/2-inch strips.
2. Place aluminum foil on a cookie sheet and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Roll the cookie strips and shape them into an outline of a palm leaf on the foil. Close all edges in the outline.
4. Crush green candies in a bag with a hammer, and sprinkle to fill in the cookie center.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for about eight minutes.
With your family, contrast the sweetness of the cookies with the harshness of breaking the candies with a hammer. Tell your children that this was a sweet day for Jesus, but he knew that soon he would be broken—or would die—for our sins.
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