Leader Guide
Group Activity: A King's Welcome
- A laundry basket full of sweaters and jackets (enough for about half of your group; multiple baskets may be needed for a larger group)
- Palm Branches (real ones or any variety of artificial ones—see instructions for DIY branches; enough for the second half of your group)
Here’s what Jesus’ welcome to Jerusalem looked like. It was kind of like they rolled out the red carpet, but instead of a red carpet . . . Pick up a sweater. . . . people threw their cloaks—their outer clothing—down in the road for Him to ride over on His donkey. Toss the sweater on the floor and pick up a palm branch. People also cut palm branches and threw them in the road for Jesus to ride over. Toss the palm branch and pick up another branch. Some people may have even waved palm branches at Him like this. Demonstrate.
And they said, “Hosannah!” which means, “Save us!” or even “Yay, we’re saved!” And they quoted scripture saying, “Bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”
So let’s do that!
Arrange students into two groups, creating a wide lane between them to walk through. Then have a helper supply everyone with a palm branch, sweater, or jacket to put down in the lane or wave accordingly. Randomly select a student and have him or her walk the path while everyone cheers and shouts “Hosannah!” After this, the rest of the students will take turns, starting from the back of the room and traveling forward.
How did that feel, getting a king’s welcome?
Pretty good, right? Well, here is something the disciples and the people of Jerusalem didn’t know: only five days later, the King they welcomed would be called a criminal and hung on a cross—and some of the same people who welcomed Him would be calling for Him to be crucified. They had no idea what kind of King they were welcoming!
If you can stand it, leave the clothes and palm branch "lane" on the floor for the rest of the time as a reminder of Palm Sunday.