Today, we’re looking at the Triumphal Entry story and how to bring it to life for kids.
Welcome to the “Meet an Amazing Animal” series.
God has done some remarkable things through his furry, fuzzy, and funny creations. A talking donkey? A fish carrying around a tax payment in its mouth? A rooster reminder that brought a grown man to his knees?
In this series we’re exploring how God has used animals to make himself and his purposes known. Get all twelve free lessons.
You’ll help your kids experience powerful transformation as they link Bible truths they need with the animals they love.
Let’s get started!
Bible Story: The Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1–10)
Animal: Donkey
Lesson Theme: God wants us to know Jesus is king.
Activity: Balloon Stuffing
[icon name=”clock”] Time: 5 minutes
[icon name=”list-alt”] Supplies: 30 balloons, 2 trash bags, 2 XXL button-up shirts (or sweaters), stopwatch
Before kids arrive, inflate the balloons and place 15 in each of the trash bags. Hide the bags.
You’ll ask for two volunteers, but do that after you describe this game. You want volunteers who are wearing pants and who know what they’ll be doing.
Give each of your volunteers a shirt. Have your volunteers tuck the bottom of the large shirts into their pants but leave the top few buttons of the shirts unbuttoned. Form two teams with the rest of your kids—one team around each volunteer.
EXPLAIN: You’ve blown up two garbage bags full of balloons. The job of the teams is to stuff the balloons inside the large shirt of your volunteer.
SAY: The goal is to stuff more balloons inside your shirt than the other team can stuff into their shirt. Teams will have one minute to insert balloons when you give the signal.
Expect chaos!
When kids have finished, count the number of balloons each team has left over. Whichever team has fewest is the winner. Thank your volunteers and praise the winning team.
Then SAY: Sometimes people describe very important people as “puffed up”—they think they’re better than they really are. Not every important person is like that … but some are. The one we’ll meet today was a king—but He wasn’t puffed up. In fact, most people didn’t even know He was a king. Especially when He rode into town on a donkey.
Teaching Time
Share the story of the triumphal entry (Mark 11:1–10), pointing out the role of the donkey as you narrate. Use the following questions to guide discussion:
- In what ways did people show Jesus they thought He was their king?
- In what ways do you show Jesus you think He’s your king?
- And how might you do that more?
Have kids look up these passages and read them out loud: John 18:37; Revelation 17:14; 1 Timothy 6:15–16; Isaiah 9:6. Then ask kids to discuss:
- After reading these verses, what words would you use to describe king Jesus?
Your heart beats for kids to know, love, and follow Jesus. And ours does too. Try any or all of our programs and lessons before you commit to buying. Check them out here.
Your heart beats for kids to know, love, and follow Jesus. And ours does too. Try any or all of our programs and lessons before you commit to buying. Check them out here.
