How to Write a Palm Sunday Sermon

Palm Sunday, the first Sunday in Holy Week commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem shortly before his arrest and crucifixion. As he rode into the city on a donkey, people cheered his arrival and laid palm fronds on the ground to avoid having his donkey's feet touch the ground. An important Sunday in the church calendar, there are several directions you can take when writing a Palm Sunday sermon.

Instructions

1. Pray and meditate. If the purpose of your Palm Sunday sermon is to draw your listeners closer to God and to involve them in worship, you must first spend time listening to God's words to you. This is achieved through prayer and meditation.

2. Read the story again. The story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is told in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 29 and John 12. Take some time to reread the story and become familiar with the characters and the message it gives.

3. Consider your audience. You need to understand the people who are going to be listening to your Palm Sunday sermon. This will allow you to speak to them authentically.

4. Choose a goal for your sermon. The goal for a Palm Sunday sermon can be as simple as to help your listeners join in the celebration of Jesus' arrival or to have them identify with any of the characters in the story. Creating a goal will help you organize your sermon.

5. Brainstorm three points that support your goal. These points will support your sermon and should lead logically to your conclusion (or goal). Think of concrete examples to include that support your points and transitions that move from one point to the next.

6. Start writing your sermon with a compelling example for your introduction. Move through the three points you have developed and wrap it all up with a brief conclusion.

7. Practice giving your Palm Sunday sermon in front of a mirror. This will let you see any tics or expressions you want to change and to know what your listeners are seeing and hearing so you can relax while you give your sermon.