Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
Input for leadersTransforming Grace (Anglican Diocese of Wellington, 2019) - The Very Rev David Rowe re-enacts what it may have been like for Zacchaeus to encounter Jesus, and tells us of the "amazing grace" in the true story of John Newton, and the fictional story of Les Miserables.
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Gospel Conversations 2025: Here's a story familiar to most of us since Sunday School days! Short Zacchaeus doing his best to see Jesus. It's a great story. What does it tell us in terms of challenge, good news, and "so what?"
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Intergenerational worship
Ordinary Time Year C 2025 Part 2 Intergenerational Worship Series
(Angela Blundell, Auckland Dio Intergenerational Ministry) This resource has 8 weeks of worship ideas to help your community connect to God and each other through worship, sharing and creativity. 27th Sunday Ordinary Time to Reign of Christ Sunday 
A collection of resources and ideas (Intergen Australia)
Written and compiled by Chris Barras. Bible references: 1 Thess, Habakkuk, Luke, Psalm. Questions to ponder
TalksFull lessons plans & activities (Trueway Kids) - for a variety of ages.
When you don't fit in (RFour) Zacchaeus and Jesus (Sunday School Works) - object lesson using lemonade Changed hearts (Ministry to Children) Activities
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Preschool PlayFull lesson plan for babies/toddlers (Trueway Kids) - definitely worth checking out. Or just use to share the story.
Tell the story - try some ideas from the following...
Small world / sensory play - grab an underbed storage container or large tray with sides and fill it with sand. Try adding some of the following:
Giving Back the Coins - Provide a basket of pretend coins (paper, cardboard, or plastic). Children can play at collecting coins in a pouch or cup and then “giving them back” to toy people or friends. Talk about - why did Zacchaeus give the money back? Leaf rubbing - grab some leaves with interesting patterns and use paper and crayons to make leaf rubbings. Instructions here. Talk about - how Zacchaeus might have felt up in the tree. Welcome Table - set up a toy tea set or set up a toy tea set or play food for a “meal with Jesus at Zacchaeus’ house.” Alternately have a real snack at a table with the kids while you chat about the story. 
Pray it!Why not make your own prayer tree? (Flame Creative).
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Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40)
Palm Sunday reminds us of the true story from the Bible, when Jesus arrives into Jerusalem. He didn't come in a flash car or with security guards - Jesus rode in on a donkey. The people knew that there was something special about him though, and they lined the streets, cheering and waving palm branches.
Input for Leaders
Visio Lectio
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. Download Terms of Use Making Flax Crosses
Please adhere to Tikanga protocol when using flax (harakeke) in New Zealand, as it is considered a taonga. |
Gospel Conversations 2025: Many Anglican churches don't have a sermon on Palm Sunday, but move straight from the celebration of the triumphal entry to the story of the Passion. It means that many of us may not have spent all that much time pondering the brief Gospel reading we hear before beginning our palm-waving. This week we focus on that reading, and our conversation ranges from beach swimming to the music of the spheres!
Gospel Conversations 2022: Jesus has arrived at the gates of Jerusalem after the long journey of Luke's gospel. It is a familiar story of waving palms and Hosannas. How do we "break open the word" in a new way for our people and our world today?
Anglican Movement Lent Series 6 2025: Bishop Justin reflects on Palm Sunday, emphasizing the paradox of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and later crucifixion, and highlighting the contrast between worldly and divine kingship.
Anglican Movement Lent Series 6 2022: Archdeacon Julie Rokotakala leads Week 6 in our Lenten Sermon Series.
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Holy WeekStarting on Palm Sunday, we embark on what’s known as “Holy Week.” This is the week beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday. Holy Week remembers the last week of Christ’s earthly life, beginning with Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Adapted from Anglican Compass)
Holy Week: Our Strandz Website has lots of amazing Holy Week Resources including: telling the story, all age talks, intergenerational ideas, household resources, crafts and activities and more. Easter: If you are wanting to teach about Easter before you get to Easter Sunday you'll find BIBLE EXPLORE Easter Sunday resources here. Intergenerational WorshipA collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Katherine Ruhle for Intergen Australia. Bible references: Luke, Psalm
Or this Combined Easter collection of resources and ideas, includes Palm Sunday (as above) but also resources for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Intergenerational Church Services (Scripture Union NZ)
Preschool FunHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God.
Share the Story: Use a discovery basket to tell the story or for kids to play and explore with. Try this one from Flame Creative. Things to chat about - the story and what happened. Playdough: Set out playdough with some story props. Try plastic donkeys and people, buildings, trees, palm leaves, something to make a road. Also check out the Playdough Mat and the Chalk Print leaves - activities preschoolers would love! 
Kids TalksPalm Sunday Lesson plan (Ministry to children) - full lesson plan with a focus on what happened and why it was significant.
Praise Parade (Sermons 4 kids) - a great one for active kids! Hosanna, The Meaning of Palm Sunday (Ministry to children) - a talk about how Jesus didn't meet the people's expectations and maybe doesn't meet our either. A Rock Concert (Sermon 4 kids) - short talk linking Luke 19:40 with other bible stories with rocks. Pet Rocks Don't Talk (Intermountain ministry) Jesus and the donkey (Sermonwriter.com) - v short talk about why Jesus picked a donkey! |
ActivitiesChalk Printed Palm Leaves (St Stephens Tamihere, Hamilton)
You will need: -
Pray it
Palm Leaf prayers
(Sunhats and Wellie Boots) Use these for a quiet prayer time in your session where kids can quietly pray as they colour in and add their own prayers to the leaves. Then them out, ready to display at home for Holy Week. As they pass by their colourful palm leaf during the week, they can pray for the different sections on it. Art in LentIf you want to mark Lent in a simple rich way, how about creating a space where your kids can spend some time with Jesus-related art. Try these questions or make up your own. Think about offering resources for kids to make art too.
Triumphal Entry by Dinah Roe Kendall
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