Palm Sunday 2022

Adult and Small Child

Read: Luke 19:28-40

Reflect: Jesus sent two of His disciples to a little village near the Mount of Olives and gave them instructions on where to find the donkey. This donkey was special because it had never been ridden. Jesus told the disciples to untie it and bring it back to Him. If the disciples were asked about what they were doing, they were to say that “The Lord needs it.� As they began to untie the donkey, the owner asked the disciples what they were doing, and they responded the way Jesus told them to. They brought the donkey back to Jesus, with their cloaks (what we would probably call jackets) on its back and Jesus got on the donkey’s back. People began to do the spread their cloaks on the ground as Jesus passed by. The disciples began to praise God loudly and happily proclaimed Jesus as the “King who cometh in the name of the Lord.� This made the religious leaders upset and they told Jesus to make the disciples be quiet. Jesus told them that if the disciples were to be silent, then the rocks would cry out. Wouldn’t that be something to see?

Respond: Have you ever ridden on a donkey? Have you ever seen or touched one at a petting zoo? Have your parent or a trusted grown-up print out this picture for you to color as you imagine what it would be like to ride a donkey: https://ministry-to-children.com/palm-sunday-coloring-page/.

-Quantrilla Ard

Adult and Elementary

Read: Luke 22:14-23:56

Reflect: In this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus prayed for Simon Peter then, Jesus tells the disciples to pray as he retreats from them to pray alone at the Mount of Olives. This reminds me that I can pray when I am all alone, I can pray for my friends and I can ask my friends to pray. Prayer is simply talking to God or listening for God’s voice. Try not to think of prayer as a chore. Think of prayer as a fun activity because, at any time of day or night, you can stop and say “Hi, God!� or, “I had so much fun today, God.� We can even say, “God, I feel sad today, please help me to feel better.� God loves us and God is always listening.

Respond: Trace the outline of your left hand and then, trace the outline of your right hand. Using scissors, cut out both hands and tape them together. These praying hands are your reminder to say, “Hi, God!�

-Imani Driskell

How will you model Jesus' love and humility to others during Holy Week?

Adult and Youth

Read: Philippians 2:5-11

Reflect: In Philippians 2, we are learning about humility from Jesus’ life. Jesus is the ultimate example to us all. Even though Jesus possessed power over Heaven and Earth, He spent 33 years on earth serving and pursuing justice for the “least.� Jesus’ life is an example of true sacrifice on behalf of others; loving people more than He loved himself. This great love abounded even when He knew death was near. Jesus never lost sight of His purpose here on earth, he sacrificed everything so we could live. His redemptive and sacrificial love for us brought forth reconciliation and hope to the world. Through His sacrifice, we now have the ultimate example of how we should love and serve others around us.

Respond: How can we apply Jesus’ example of humility to our own lives? How can we show selfless love to those around us? Write down 10 ways you can show up for others this week.Take time to pray and ask God to help you practice humility and walk in love towards those around you.

-Faitth Brooks

Adult and Adult

Read: Philippians 2:5-11

Reflect: During Lent, many people will give up something between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday as a sign of devotion to God. Some people give up television, or meat, or social media.We look to Jesus who gave it all on our behalf.Paul says in this passage that in humility, Jesus took on the form of a human. He willingly stepped down from his throne to step into our world so that we might be saved.We don’t give things up for Lent as an act of ritual; we give things up as a reminder of what Jesus has done and to be drawn closer to Him. Jesus’ obedience has led to his exaltation.He is the name above all names, the one before whom every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord.For the Christian, this is a day we do not fear but one we eagerly anticipate and long for. We worship the one who gave it all for us.

Respond: In a world full of distractions, it is easy to lose focus on Jesus. Give up screens for one night this week and spend that time worshiping, in whatever way you choose, as a family.

-CJ Quartlbaum

This post was first published on April 8, 2019.