In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is the King who came to Jerusalem, and that he cares about God’s house and God’s people. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is a king who is worthy of our praise, and God wants his house to be a place of prayer for everyone.
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 your arms high in the air as you say the words together. Lift your hands like the crowd lifted their branches, and shout with a big happy voice.
The Story: Mark 11 for Kids
Jesus and his friends were walking toward a town called Jerusalem. Jesus was close to Bethany and the Mount of Olives. He had two friends, and he gave them a special job to do. He told them to go into the village and find a young donkey that had never been ridden before.
Jesus said, “If anyone asks you why you are taking it, tell them, ‘The Lord needs him.'” The friends went, found the donkey tied up by the door, and untied it. Some people asked what they were doing, and the friends answered just as Jesus had said. Then they brought the donkey to Jesus.
Jesus sat on the donkey, and the crowd was very happy. People laid their coats on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them down like a carpet. The people in the front and the people behind all shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Jesus went into the big temple in Jerusalem. He looked around at everything, and then it grew late, so he went back out to Bethany with his friends. The next morning he was hungry. He saw a fig tree with lots of leaves, but when he looked for figs, he found none. Jesus said to the tree that no one would ever eat fruit from it again.
When Jesus came back to the temple, he found people selling animals and changing money there. He turned over their tables and said that God’s house should be a house of prayer for all nations. Jesus did not want the temple used as a place for cheating people. He wanted it to be a place where people could come close to God and pray.
Read It Together
Mark 11:15-17
15 They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables, and the seats of those who sold the doves. 16 He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the temple. 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 cared about God’s house being a holy place. Ask children to notice what Jesus wanted people to do there, which was pray, and what he did not want them to do.
Mark 11:22-24
22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. 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)
Explain that Jesus was teaching his friends to trust God. Help children see that prayer is talking to God, and that we can bring all our requests to him with faith.
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)
Show children that forgiving others is part of praying. Point out the words “forgive, if you have anything against anyone,” and talk about how we can let go of hurt feelings when we pray.
Talk About It
- What did Jesus ask his friends to bring him, and what did the people do to show they were happy to see him?
- Why do you think the people shouted and waved branches when Jesus came into Jerusalem?
- What did Jesus say God’s house should be used for, and why was he upset with the people in the temple?
- How do you feel when you pray, and what is one thing you could pray about this week?
- Who is someone you need to forgive, and how can praying help you do that?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Palm Branch Parade
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of Jesus riding the donkey with people waving branches around him. Encourage them to add the crowd and the coats on the road. Let them explain their drawing to you when they finish.
Hosanna Freeze Game
Gather the children in an open space. Say “Hosanna!” and have everyone wave their arms like branches. When you say “Freeze,” they stop and say “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Repeat several times, speeding up the pace for fun.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Have each child write one prayer request or one person they want to forgive on a slip and place it in the jar. Pray over the jar together at dinner or bedtime, and let children take turns choosing a slip to pray about that day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows Jesus as the King who comes to Jerusalem in humility, riding a donkey, and yet worthy of all praise. It also shows his deep concern that God’s house be a place of prayer for all people, and that faith, prayer, and forgiveness belong together.
Avoid overstating to children the meaning of the fig tree, which can be confusing for young learners. Keep the focus on Jesus’s authority, the call to prayer, and the importance of forgiving others.
A Prayer to Close
Lord Jesus, we praise you as our King. Help us to pray with trust, to forgive those who hurt us, and to love your house as a place of prayer. Thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers. Amen.
