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Home + Church =Spiritually Strong Kids

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Palm Sunday--Pre-Teen Style

3/18/2013

3 Comments

 
Picture
That awkward moment when the Children's Pastor tries to hand a palm to a fifth grade boy and asks him to march around the sanctuary waving it. A self-conscious sixth grade girl doesn't get excited about marching in a crowd of kids younger around the sanc

So you thought that was a good idea, huh?! Celebrating important Christian holidays and teaching the symbolism associated therein is an important part of ministry to kids and families. We've got to be creative in our approach though and consider the various social and developmental levels of the kids in our ministry. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Create an atmosphere of excitement! When Jesus entered the city there was a parade like atmosphere. Picture your local team having just won the Super Bowl. There's a parade in town to celebrate. Everyone turns out. Work to create something along these lines to help pre-teens celebrate Palm Sunday.  

1. Make giant foam #1 fingers. Google "diy foam fingers."There are a ton of "how to" guides that will help you create foam fingers with your pre-teens. Kids can then place these fingers where they will see them all week and be reminded of the celebration that took place as Jesus entered the city. They can also be mindful of the way the crowd turned on Jesus in just a few short days.

2. Have a donkey mascot. Have your donkey mascot throw t-shirts into the crowd, etc. Talk about the symbolism associated with the donkey.

3. Choose "team colors" and do some crazy face painting as kids enter (ex. half the face one color, half the other).

4. Stress the significance of this day. Talk about the fact that the people really were celebrating. They thought that Jesus was the answer to their problems, one who would lead them into civil domination.

5. Send material home with kids that teach them to lead during Holy Week. Challenge pre-teens to lead their families in a five minute devotional each day this week. Write a few devotionals that include significant scripture and some life application questions that pre-teens would be able to lead in their homes. By equipping them to lead, you're giving them skills that will carry long into the future.

Be creative and look for fun ways to include these kids while developing leadership skills that will las them a lifetime. Be intentional about celebrating Palm Sunday with pre-teens-just do it in a way that is appealing and yet significant to them.

How about you? How do you include older kids in celebrating Palm Sunday?


3 Comments
Rob Biagi link
3/19/2013 05:21:55 am

Good thinkin', Jill! And a great question you're asking us.

I like to tell people, "There's SOMETHING that makes each of us want to stand on a chair and shout for joy: a rock band, a movie actor, or a cause of some sort." Asking someone who has been justified by Christ to cheer and celebrate at a re-enactment of his Triumphal Entry seems like it would get an obvious, passionate "Yes! I'll do that!"

However - lots of kids/youth/adults who will be at Palm Sunday are NOT true Christians, so they will not shout praises of thanks to Christ for what he's done for them (because they just don't know yet!). That's why we need to get creative so that people can understand who Christ is, and what he's done.

Again - great food for thought, Jill! Keep it comin'!

Reply
Jill link
3/20/2013 05:00:47 am

Rob,

Thanks for your feedback. That's a great thought you've added to the mix as well. Valid! Thanks again!
Jill

Reply
Thea link
7/7/2013 01:14:02 am

Hi Jill,
I'm thorougly excited by the idea of challenging pre-teens to lead devotionals at home! Wow. It would seem so obvious, but it's not so thanks for that excellent idea.

Reply



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  • KidMin Themes & Object Talks
  • Children's Ministry Leader
  • Lessons & Admin
    • Ministry Admin Docs
    • Kids Curriculum
    • Recommended Links
    • Pre-Teen Journey to the Summit >
      • Journey to the Summit Comments:
  • Parents
  • About Me