This lesson teaches children that Jesus is King, that he is worthy of our praise, and that we can trust him when we pray. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a verse, and an activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is the King who comes in humility, and we can trust him to hear our prayers. We praise him, we forgive others, and we bring our hearts to God.
Memory Verse
Mark 11:9
Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
(WEB)
Stand up tall and wave both arms high over your head as you say the words of praise out loud. Then bring your hands down and fold them, reminding your heart that Jesus is the one we praise.
The Story: Mark 11 for Kids
Jesus and his friends were getting close to the city of Jerusalem. Jesus sent two of his friends ahead to a village. He told them they would find a young donkey tied up, one that no one had ever ridden. He said, “Untie him and bring him to me.” If anyone asked why they were taking the donkey, they were to say, “The Lord needs him.” The friends went, found the donkey, and did just what Jesus said.
When they brought the donkey to Jesus, people put their coats on the donkey’s back, and Jesus sat on it. Many people spread their coats on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and laid them down too. The crowd walked ahead and behind him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” They were honoring their King.
Jesus went into the big temple in Jerusalem and looked around. It was getting late, so he went back out to Bethany with his twelve friends. The next morning he was hungry. He saw a fig tree that had lots of leaves, so he walked over to look for figs. But there was no fruit on it, only leaves. Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”
Later, Jesus went into the temple and saw people buying and selling things there, which was not right for a place of prayer. He turned over the tables of the money changers and sent the sellers out. He said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” The leaders were upset and began to look for a way to stop him.
The next morning, Peter saw that the fig tree had dried up all the way to its roots. Jesus told his friends that they could trust God and pray with faith. He also said that when we pray, we should forgive anyone we are upset with, so that our Father in heaven will forgive us too.
Read It Together
Mark 11:17
He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’ But you have made it a den of robbers!”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus wanted the temple to be a place where people prayed to God. Ask the children what kind of place they think a house of prayer should feel like, and how they can make their own homes and church feel that way.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus invites us to bring our requests to God and trust him. Explain that trusting God means believing he hears us, even when we wait for his answer.
Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
(WEB)
Help the children see that prayer and forgiveness go together. Remind them that forgiving someone is a way of following Jesus, even when it is hard.
Talk About It
- What did the crowd do to show that they were glad Jesus was coming into Jerusalem?
- Why do you think Jesus chose a young donkey to ride instead of a big horse?
- What did Jesus want people to remember about the temple being a house of prayer?
- How did Peter feel when he saw the fig tree had dried up, and what did Jesus teach about trusting God?
- When is it hard for you to forgive someone, and what can you say to God when that happens?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Royal Donkey
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child draw a donkey carrying a king. Ask them to add branches and coats on the road. As they draw, talk about how Jesus came as a humble King, and let each child say one thing they want to praise Jesus for.
Hosanna Parade
You will need a clear space in the room and some paper or fabric scraps for waving. Line the children up and let them walk slowly around the room, waving their pieces of paper or fabric and calling out “Hosanna!” together. Stop now and then and let one child lead the shout. This helps children remember the joy of the crowd.
Prayer Promise Jar
You will need a jar, small slips of paper, and a pencil. Have each child write one thing they want to ask God for, and put the slip in the jar. Take the slips home and place the jar somewhere visible for the week. Each day, pray together for one of the requests and remind children that God hears their prayers.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows Jesus presenting himself as the King who comes in humility, riding on a donkey rather than a warhorse. It also shows that prayer rests on trust in God, and that forgiving others is part of the life of someone who prays. The cleansing of the temple shows Jesus’ concern that God’s house be a place of real worship for all people.
With children, avoid suggesting that the fig tree was cursed because it failed to produce fruit out of season, or turning this story into a lesson about punishment for mistakes. Keep the focus on Jesus’ authority, the joy of his arrival, and his invitation to trust and to forgive.
A Prayer to Close
Lord Jesus, we praise you as our King. Thank you for coming in humility and for hearing our prayers. Help us trust you and forgive others, just as you forgive us. Amen.
