NOTE TO THE TEACHER

The goal this week is to help students view the familiar Holy Week story in a new light. They will be encouraged to think of themselves as a part of this epic tale and to consider how they accept or reject Jesus every day. Most teens are familiar with preparing for a journey – summer camp, family vacation, or a visit with grandparents. The week’s lessons will help youth explore their opportunity as Christians to view the end of each experience as a new beginning.

ICEBREAKER (10 MINUTES)

Option 1: Low-Tech – Leader of the Pack

Cut a large sheet of brown butcher paper to resemble a suitcase and tape it to a wall. Students will list items for a journey in three categories, designated by different spaces on the paper: 1) necessities, 2) nice to have if there’s space, and 3) extras I can’t live without. Invite the youth to add their own words. After five minutes of this activity, let the youth defend their choices and together determine what stays or goes for the ultimate packing list.

Option 2: High-Tech – Unpacking

With two or three students sharing a laptop or desktop computer station, have them play the game Unpacking (https://www.unpackinggame.com/), a puzzle game about taking things out of boxes and discovering life in the process. Instruct youth to give each person a two- to three-minute turn; then discuss as a group any satisfaction or frustration experienced.

READ SCRIPTURE (10 MINUTES)

Because this lesson involves so much scripture, consider asking student volunteers to prepare small sections in advance to bring various voices into the reading, or alternate readings between two adult leaders. Matthew 27 may be divided because of its length. Explain that the first three passages are about Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem:

Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29; Matthew 21:1-11, all CEB

The other two relate to the liturgy of Passion Sunday. Even though Palm and Passion Sundays are the same day, Passion focuses on the beginning of Christ’s suffering and crucifixion as the ultimate expression of God’s love.

Psalm 31:9-16; Matthew 27:11-54, all CEB

DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

Holy Week represents a range of emotions that can be an everyday experience in the life of a teen. Jesus ' joyful homecoming on Palm Sunday was followed by trial, judgment, a death sentence, and the subsequent mourning by his followers. Jesus knew what was coming, but imagine the impact on those around him.

Can you talk about a time you experienced joy and sorrow on the same day or week?
Reflect on time you have spent away from home. How did it feel to come back to your house or your family?
Why do you think Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of in a carriage or on a majestic horse?
What does the use of this humble, everyday animal say about his leadership?
What do you think is the difference in meaning between the words “kingship” and “kinship”?
Did you read any “Choose Your Own Adventure” books as a child? If you were to choose your part in the Palm Sunday scene, would you find yourself:
a) one of the few followers tasked with finding the perfect donkey (perhaps a limousine today)?
b) one of the group of followers just along for the ride, not taking the lead but also not questioning your participation?
c) a bystander on the side of the road, curious about what is going on but not sure about this Jesus character?
How would Jesus be received in a similar parade today?

ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

Divide students into pairs or groups of three and ask them to plan a party that could be considered a homecoming event. Refer to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the familiar story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32 CEB) as biblical examples. Provide an array of party supplies and give each team ten minutes to select a theme and agree on event details. Reserve the last five minutes for each group to present its party plan, including why it would make the guest of honor feel welcomed.

Total time:50 minutes

NEEDED RESOURCES:

Brown butcher paper
Markers
Tape
Computer access with the Unpacking game (https://www.unpackinggame.com/) downloaded
Bibles or copies of scripture passages (CEB)
Party supplies such as crepe paper streamers, invitations, whistles, noisemakers, blank banners, and paper products, incorporating purple as much as possible.