This lesson teaches children that Jesus is a humble King who comes to save us, and that we can praise Him just like the children did in the temple. It is best for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is our King, and He is good, kind, and gentle. We can praise Him with our voices, our hands, and our hearts every day.
Memory Verse
Matthew 21:9
The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
(WEB)
Have children wave both arms over their heads like they are cheering a parade as they say the verse together. Then have them clap twice at the words “Hosanna in the highest.”
The Story: Matthew 21 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 donkey and her baby colt waiting there. He said, “Bring them to me. If anyone asks, just say the Lord needs them.”
The friends went and found the donkey and the colt, just as Jesus said. They brought them back and put their cloaks on the animals. Then Jesus sat on the colt and rode toward the city. The Bible tells us this was to show that the King was coming, and He came in a humble way.
Many people were excited to see Him. They spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and laid them down too. The crowd sang out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” That word means something like “Please save us!” They were happy and loud.
When Jesus went into the temple, He was not happy about what He saw. People were selling things and trading money in the place where people were supposed to pray. Jesus said, “My house should be a house of prayer.” He made the sellers leave.
Then the blind and the lame people came to Jesus, and He healed them right there. Even the children in the temple were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The leaders were upset and asked Jesus if He heard what the children were saying. Jesus said yes, and He reminded them that God loves the praise that comes from children.
Read It Together
Matthew 21:5
“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
(WEB)
Point out that the verse says the King comes to His people in a humble way, riding on a donkey. Ask children what it means to be humble and how Jesus showed it that day.
Matthew 21:13
He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus called the temple a house of prayer. Explain that God wants our hearts and our time to be a place where we talk with Him and listen to Him.
Matthew 21:16
And said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?’”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus said God hears praise from children. Let children know that their voices matter to God and that He is pleased when they worship Him.
Talk About It
- What did the people do to show that they were happy Jesus was coming?
- Why do you think Jesus rode on a donkey instead of a big horse?
- What did Jesus want the people to remember about the temple?
- How did the children praise Jesus in the story, and how can you praise Him today?
- What is one way you can show Jesus that He is your King this week?
Activity Ideas
Palm Branch Craft
You will need green construction paper, scissors, a pencil, and glue or tape. Have each child trace their hand on the green paper and cut it out, then tape it to a craft stick or straw. As they hold up their palm branch, remind them that the people waved branches to welcome Jesus as their King.
Hosanna Parade Game
Clear some space in a room or hallway and play some happy music. Let children march around like the crowd, waving their arms and shouting “Hosanna!” When the music stops, have them freeze and say one thing they can praise Jesus for. Repeat a few times.
Praise Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper scraps, and a pen. Each day for a week, have your child write or draw one reason they praise Jesus and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God for each one.
Teacher Notes
Matthew 21 shows that Jesus is the promised King, but He comes in humility, not pride. Adults can see the contrast between the crowd’s expectations and the way Jesus chose to enter the city, and how He cared for the temple as a place of true worship. The passage also reminds us that God delights in praise, including the praise of the weak and the young.
Avoid overstating to children that the crowd’s cheers meant they fully understood who Jesus was, since the story itself shows that many people misunderstood Him. Keep the focus on Jesus’s kindness and His love for prayer, rather than on the people’s mixed reactions.
A Prayer to Close
Lord Jesus, we praise You as our King. Thank You for coming to us in a humble and gentle way. Help us to love You, to pray to You, and to sing Your praises every day. Amen.
