Riding the Roller Coaster With Jesus

🌿 Palm Sunday Children’s Message

Matthew 20:29–21:11; John 12:9–36; Hebrews 12:2; Zechariah 9:9

Children, today we’re going to tell the story of Jesus—from Palm Sunday all the way to Easter—by pretending we’re riding a roller coaster together. Ready?

Have you ever ridden a roller coaster?

Why do we call it a roller coaster?

Because it goes fast, slow, up, down, sideways, upside down, and even into dark tunnels!

🎢 1. Warming Up — Slow and Steady

Hands in front… palms down… gentle side‑to‑side swaying.

Move slowly… gently… warming up…

Just like a roller coaster begins slow, the story begins slow too.

Jesus is walking out of Jericho, and two blind men call out, “Jesus, help us!”

Jesus stops—he listens—he heals them.

People start gathering because they’ve seen Jesus feed the hungry, help the hurting, and bring hope.

Hands still swaying slowly… steady…

🎢 2. Climbing Up the Hill

Fingers curl like you’re gripping a bar… hands rise slowly… make “click‑click‑click” sounds.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey—just like God promised long ago.

Crowds cheer, wave branches, and shout,

“Jesus is our King! Jesus is here to help us!”

Everything feels exciting and full of hope.

🎢 3. Reaching the Top

Hands stretch high above your head… wiggle fingers like you’re feeling the wind.

This is the moment everyone is celebrating.

Jesus is the King who brings peace.

It feels like the best view in the world.

🎢 4. The Big Drop

Hands swoop down fast… whoooosh!

All of a sudden, the roller coaster drops!

Everyone feels excited and a little scared.

Jesus begins teaching hard things—like how real greatness comes from serving, not being served.

Some people don’t understand. Some even turn away.

🎢 5. The Upside‑Down Loop

Hands flip upside down… spin them in a circle like a loop.

Now the roller coaster flips!

Life feels confusing.

People argue about Jesus.

Some leaders even plan to hurt him.

It’s like the world is upside down.

🎢 6. The Dark Tunnel

Hands forward, close together… make a “whoooosh” tunnel sound… blink like you can’t see.

Now the roller coaster enters a dark tunnel.

Jesus dies on the cross.

In the tunnel, we hear sounds but can’t see anything.

It feels sad and scary, and we don’t know what will happen next.

🎢 7. The Light Ahead — Easter Morning

Hands move forward slowly… then open wide like sunrise.

But the roller coaster keeps moving…

Look—there’s a tiny light ahead.

It gets brighter… and brighter… and brighter…

Hands open wide!

On Easter morning, Jesus rises from the dead!

The light shines again.

Hope returns.

Everything is new.

🌅 The Ride We Remember

Jesus’ story is like a roller coaster—

slow parts, high parts, scary parts, upside‑down parts, and bright, joyful parts.

And through it all, Jesus keeps loving, helping, and leading us.

When we remember this story—

the healing, the cheering, the upside‑down moments,

the tunnel, and the bright light—

we learn to follow Jesus by serving others, trusting that his light will always shine brighter and brighter.

🎢 Repeat‑After‑Me Prayer: “Jesus, You Ride With Us”

Dear Jesus,

We remember your story—

the slow parts,

the high parts,

the scary parts,

and the bright light at the end.

You healed,

you helped,

you taught us to serve,

and you gave your love.

Even when things feel upside down,

you ride with us.

Even in the dark tunnel,

your light is coming.

Help us follow you,

love like you,

and shine with your light.

Amen.