Lesson 3: Jesus stands before Pilate.
Passage: John 18:28-40 - Jesus is arrested and brought to the palace of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. He is questioned by Pilate about whether or not he is the King of the Jews. Jesus claims that his kingdom is not of this world, but comes from another place. Pilate does not believe that Jesus is guilty of any wrongdoing, and asks the people if they would like him to be pardoned, but they refuse, and ask to have a criminal named Barabbas pardoned instead.
Big Idea: Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome Activity: (5 minutes) - All leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster outside the classroom door. Check-in the children in your classroom as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to sit in a circle on the circle time rug.
Leader: It’s good to see you all today! Today is Palm Sunday, and it’s one week until Easter. What’s one thing you are looking forward to this week?
Let everyone have a chance to share.
Transition to Bible Lesson
Leader: Those are great things to look forward to. Today I’m going to read us a story about Jesus and Palm Sunday, Can everyone find a seat so you can see the pictures? Can you let me know you are ready to listen by giving a thumbs up?
Read Jesus triumphal entry storybook
Leader: What did you think of the story? What does Hosanna mean?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for new life and the hope that spring brings. Thank you for Jesus and what Palm Sunday means, in Jesus name amen”
Transition to Play
Leader: Good listening friends, I think we should get some wiggles out before we do our craft could everybody stand up?
Body Break Activity: — (3 minutes) Freeze Dance
Select Freeze Dance or from Activity Playlist from Youtube
Following freeze dance move to the tables for craft time.
Activity: (10 minutes) Palm Sunday branches. Use green paper, glue sticks and crayons to decorate Palm Sunday branches.
If a child is uninterested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster Ipad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome Activity— All leaders
Welcome the children to the classroom and check them in using the Ipad roster.
Find Jesus Game:
Children will take turns lifting a leaf to see if Jesus is under the leaf. There is only one Jesus hidden under the leaves. Play game until Jesus is found.
Good work kids let’s have a seat to listen to our story.
Invite them to find a seat where they can see the picture book.
Preliminary Discussion
This is the season where we remember the stories of Easter, we are going to learn about one today where Jesus visits the temple. But first let’s read our story book about some of the stories we talked about last week.
Read ‘Jesus was arrested’ from storybook bible.
Now let’s watch our video for today to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Play video: Breaking News: Jesus and Pontius Pilate
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what Jesus said when Pilate asked him if he was a king?
What do you think that means that Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual?
Can you think of some ways that Jesus can change our hearts?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for what we learned today, that Jesus said that his kingdom is not an earthly kingdom, but is inside of us, in our hearts. It is when Jesus becomes king of our hearts and changes us for the better. Thank you for how Jesus fills our hearts with your love and goodness so that we can also share that with others, and the world can become a better place for everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Palm Branches craft sheets
Children will decorate their palm branches using torn paper, glue sticks and markers.
Dismissal: Dismiss children using Ipad Roster, make sure each child leaves with their care-giver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself, welcome the kids to class. Ask kids about their weeks and check in the children on the Roster Ipad.
Warm Up Activity: Spring 5 seconds answer game.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be continuing our series about the story of Easter and Jesus’ last days on earth.
Can anyone remember what happened in the first story when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem?
What about the second story about when Jesus went to the temple?
Today we’ll be learning about what happened after Jesus got arrested and brought to the Roman governor. The story goes like this…
The religious leaders arrested Jesus and took him to the palace of the Roman governor, who’s name was Pilate. So Pilate asked them, “What did this man do wrong? Why has he been arrested?” They replied, “Well he’s obviously a criminal otherwise we wouldn’t have brought him to you.” Then Pilate said, “Why don’t you judge him yourselves? Why bother me?” The religious leaders replied, “Because we don’t have the right to sentence someone to death.” They said this because they wanted Jesus to be killed. So Pilate called to Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “Is that your own idea? Or did someone tell you that?” Pilate was surprised by this, “How should I know?” he said, “it’s the religious leaders who brought you to me. What did you do?” And Jesus said, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom, it’s a spiritual one. I’m not here to fight with you.” And Pilate said, “So you admit that you are a king then?” Jesus replied, “You’re the one who said it.” So Pilate went out to the crowd and said, “I don’t think this man has done anything wrong. And since it’s the Passover custom to release one prisoner, do you want me to release Jesus?” But they shouted back, ‘No. We want to release the other guy, Barabbas.”
Let’s watch our video for today to find out more…
Video Lesson — Play Breaking News: Jesus and Pontius Pilate
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Why did the religious leaders want to have Jesus arrested and killed?
How did Jesus respond when asked by Pilate if he was the King of the Jews?
What do you think Jesus meant by that? What kind of king do you think Jesus is?
From your own experience, what are some ways that Jesus has changed your heart, or the heart of someone that you know?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about Jesus being questioned by the governor Pilate, and how we learn from it that Jesus’ kingdom is not an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one that is in our hearts. Thank you that through Jesus’ teachings and examples we can learn more about God and our lives can be changed when we follow Jesus’ ways. Thank you that you fill our hearts with love and goodness, and that we can share that with others too, so that your kingdom will spread throughout the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Palm Branch craft sheet
Children will decorate palm branches with torn paper and glue and markers.
Dismissal: Use Roster Ipad to dismiss children from their classroom.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
Do you remember why Jesus was being arrested? Did he do something wrong?
What kind of king did Jesus say he was?
What are some ways that Jesus can change our hearts?
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
Why was Jesus being arrested? Did he do something wrong?
What kind of kingdom did Jesus say he has?
What are some ways that Jesus can change our hearts?
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
Why was Jesus being arrested? What was he accused of?
How did Jesus respond to the accusations against him?
How do you think the Kingdom of God gets spread throughout the world?
What are some ways we can be part God’s work in the world?
