An Animal Parable Bible Lesson – Palm Sunday
Ask the animals and they will teach you — Job 12:7 NLT
“I am the the Lord, who heals you.” — Exodus 15:26 NIV
Introduction
This Bible devotion is intended to be used with the children’s story, Hanna’s Parade. Jesus often taught people using parables. In the same way, these stories and devotions are written to teach Bible truths to kids, teens, and people of all ages.
Read the concepts below and look up the Bible verses associated with each one. Use the faith building exercise to build your faith. Based on the Palm Sunday story, Hanna’s Parade is about the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. You can read the real story in your Bible at Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40 and John 12:12-15.
Hanna’s Parade – Key Concepts
A Parable About Faith & Healing
1. Hanna wanted to work like the other donkeys. Her heart’s desire was to serve her master and work like everyone else. The illness made it impossible for her to work. You must remember that God wants to give you the desires of your heart. It is His will for you to be healthy, happy and fully capable of giving Him your best.
Exodus 15:26 – Psalm 20:4 – Matthew 8:16-17 – 1 Corinthians 2:9
2. The wise men that examined Hanna couldn’t solve the problem. God has given knowledge to doctors, scientists and healthcare professionals. In addition, He has placed healing abilities within your body and filled the earth with plants, minerals and chemicals that can be used to treat illness. But you must remember that God is the ultimate Healer/Doctor. When you place your trust in God and put His Word first in your life, it makes healing, whether natural, through medical assistance, or through the supernatural all that more certain.
Deuteronomy 7:15 – Psalm 41:3 – Jeremiah 30:17
3. The wise men unwisely gave an evil report (negative confession): “She may never be able to work.” Your words are capable of releasing faith or doubt and unbelief. It is important that you never say words that are contrary to God’s Word and reject anything that you hear that is inconsistent with what you know you have in Christ. When you speak in agreement to God’s Word, you are always speaking the truth.
Proverbs 4:23-24 – Proverbs 12:18 – Proverbs 15:4 – Matthew 15:18
4. Boaz had faith in God. He knew that it was not God’s will for Hanna to be sick and unable to work. You cannot do your best for God if you are hindered by sickness or lack.
Psalm 35:27 – Matthew 8:2-3 – 3 John 1:2
5. Hanna asked God to heal her. God always hears the prayers of believers, and faith-filled prayers are always answered.
Mark 5:34 – Mark 11:23 – James 5:15-16
6. Boaz was inspired to tie Hanna up in front of his house. As believers, God is always at work in your life. He gives you inspiration to do the things to help others. It is your responsibility to have a willing spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction. When you have your spiritual ears tuned in, you can be most effective in helping others and doing God’s work. Don’t be surprised to see God at work in your life. Be ready to be obedient to His request. It may seem strange, but it will always be in agreement to His Word.
Psalm 119:133 – Proverbs 3:5-6 – Ecclesiastes 2:26 – 1 Corinthians 1:30
7. As Hanna watched the people head towards Jerusalem, she imagined herself healthy, strong and traveling with them. This is an important step for all believers. God sees you healthy, prosperous and full of joy. Changing a self-image is an important step to realizing your full potential. Start seeing yourself the way God sees you.
Exodus 14:13 – Matthew 8:13 – 2 Corinthians 2:14 – Philippians 4:8
8. After the men took Hanna to Jesus, she felt tired and doubts entered her mind, but in her heart (spirit) she still believed she was healed and would go to Jerusalem. This is real faith. Faith knows you have something when you can’t see, taste, or touch it. Faith is not hope. Hope is in the future. Faith is right now! When you study the Bible and pray, your faith will increase. Just like exercise will build muscles, speaking and reading God’s Word will build your faith where you can know you have your prayer answered before you see it or feel it.
John 15:7 – Romans 10:17 – Hebrews 11:1 & 6 – 1 Peter 2:2
9. Jesus told Hanna, “Do not be afraid. God’s Power is strongest in those that are weak.” It is important that you never have any fear. Fear is the opposite of faith and it is in fact a sin. When you accept Jesus as your Lord, you receive a new spirit. You are no longer weak because Jesus becomes your strength. And you do not need to fear because God’s love will remove all your fear.
Psalm 27:1 – Joel 3:10 – Romans 12:3 – Philippians 4:6-7 – 1 John 4:15-18
10. When Jesus said, “Let’s go to Jerusalem” he was releasing his faith to heal Hanna. When you speak faith-filled words that are in agreement with God’s Word, miracles happen! Hanna heard the words and agreed with them. As she took the first step of faith and shouted in agreement with Jesus, her healing was complete and she was on her way to Jerusalem!
Isaiah 35:6 – Mark 9:23 – Philippians 4:13
11. After Hanna was healed, she joyfully served her master and shared her story with the other donkeys. What a wonderful story you can share with your friends when you see miracles in your life! Start believing today that God makes good things happen in your life every day. Expect miracles and you will be amazed at what God will do!
Psalm 117 – Habakkuk 3:18-19 – John 15:7
Putting It All Together
Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.
You can build your faith by speaking God’s Word and only speaking things that agree with the Bible.
You will get your prayers answered when you ask in agreement with God’s will, believe in your heart that God heard your prayer and that you have what you asked, even if you do not see it, hold it or feel it.
Confession (speaking, believing, knowing) comes before possession.
Most people want to see, feel or hold something first before they will believe they have it. This is backwards. It takes no faith to believe in something you see or are already holding. Faith says: “I believe I have it” and then you do have it. That is the God-kind of faith.
Faith Building Exercise
Say these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.
God is love. God loves me. Love never fails!
(Deuteronomy 23:5; 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 John 4:8)
God will keep me healthy.
(Deuteronomy 7:15)
God made me well and healed me.
(Jeremiah 30:17)
In Christ, I am strong!
(2 Chronicles 16:9; Joel 3:10; Philippians 4:13)
Jesus carried my pain, so I don’t have to hurt!
(Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24)
God is my protection and strength.
(Psalm 46:1; Philippians 4:13)
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