This is our Kids & Family Holy Week devotional (you likely received a printed copy in the mail). Please take time this week to go through Holy Week with your kids.
Maundy Thursday
Readings: John 13:1-17, Mark 14:12-42
Words to know:
Maundy – a ceremony of washing the feet of the poor. We call this Maundy Thursday in remembrance of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
Passover – a Jewish festival celebrating God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. When we celebrate Holy Communion, we remember that Jesus delivered us from sin and death through his sacrifice and resurrection.
About the Video*
Jesus and his disciples shared the Passover meal together. After the meal, everyone except Judas went to the garden, where Jesus waited to be arrested. While the unsuspecting disciples fell asleep, Jesus prayed. Then Judas betrayed Jesus, and everything was set in motion.
• What holidays does your family celebrate with special meals?
• How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus was arrested?
• How does your church celebrate Holy Communion?
Try This!*
Remember the Last Supper together. Share bread and grape juice to remember Jesus’ body and blood. Add other Passover-style foods, such as hummus, olives, or lamb chops. Share some things you’ve learned about Jesus.
Prayer*
Dear God, thank you for saving room for us by your side! We want to be there because we love you. Help us stick close to you. Amen!
* – Maundy Thursday. Holy Moly: A Journey to Easter
© 2017 Sparkhouse. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Good Friday
Reading: Mark 15:16-47
What does love look like to you?
-On a piece of paper, draw a picture that makes you think of God’s love.
-As you look at the picture below, how does it compare to the picture you drew? What’s missing? What’s there that shouldn’t be?
Christians spend a lot of time thinking about God’s love meeting our brokenness. Tonight we see those two undeniably linked. Our sin leads us to join the crowd chanting “crucify him”. Our brokenness leads us to the wretched cross. Yet, this is where we see the love of God on full display. Jesus hanging on a cross, taking all of our guilt upon himself.
About the Video*
The crowds turned on Jesus, and he was tried as a criminal. He was mocked by the people as he carried his cross to be crucified. Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, but that’s not the end of the story (just the end of the video). The butterfly reminds us that there is more to come.
• What happened to Jesus?
• How did you feel when you saw the little girl in the crowd?
• How does the end of the video help you remember Easter?
Try This!*
Wear black to help you remember the sadness of Jesus’ death. Add a pop of color (with a pin, socks, bracelet, or hat) to remind you that hope is not lost.
Prayer*
Loving God, it’s hard to think about all the things that Jesus went through during Holy Week. Help us to understand how much Jesus sacrificed. We are caterpillars in cocoons waiting to be butterflies. Fill us with new life. Amen!
* – Good Friday. Holy Moly: A Journey to Easter
© 2017 Sparkhouse. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Holy Saturday
Reading: Matthew 27:57-66
This may seem like the longest day of Holy Week. Holy Saturday is a time of darkness, when we remember the fear, confusion and despair felt by Jesus’ followers as he was laid in the tomb. We also spend this time in anticipation of the celebration of Easter, as the Easter Vigil begins at sunset on Saturday.
Activity:
Decorate your house for Easter.
One craft you can use for this is the tin foil cross. You can find full directions for this craft on the video website. Essentially you will cut a cross out of thick material, wrap it carefully in foil, and use a pencil or skewer to decorate the cross with whatever design you like.
Vigil activity:
If possible, go outside with your family and make a fire. Remembering that Jesus is the light of the world, we gather around the fire to stay vigil as we wait for Jesus to rise on Easter morning. If you can’t build a fire, perhaps light some candles and sing your favorite “camp songs”.
Prayer:
Dear God, as we wait for the joy of Easter, help us to remember that there is always light and the darkness will not overcome it. Amen.
Easter
Reading: Luke 24:1-12
Words to Know:
Alleluia – A shout or song of praise; used to express joy, praise or thanks. During Lent we put away our alleluias. Now, as we celebrate our risen Christ, we shout, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”Resurrection – Rising from the dead. On Easter we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death and the hope of eternal life for all of God’s people.
About the Video*
The women were surprised by what they found at the tomb. An angel told them, “Jesus is alive!” Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus. The women went to tell others the good news. Some believed, and some didn’t.
• What happened when the women arrived at the tomb?
• What would you have said or done if you’d been with the women at the tomb?
• To whom can you tell the good news?
Try This!*
Do an internet search of the word chrysalis. What does it mean? Look like? The caterpillar changes into a butterfly through this process. How can this word help us understand Jesus’ resurrection?
Prayer*
Dear God, thank you for keeping your promise that Jesus would rise from the dead. Easter is all about the good news: Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Help us to be messengers of this amazing news to others. Amen!
* – Easter Day. Holy Moly: A Journey to Easter
© 2017 Sparkhouse. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Other Activities
Word Scramble
1) S U J S E _ _ _ _ _
2) O D G O A F D R I Y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3) R C S O S _ _ _ _ _
4) A R T E E S _ _ _ _ _ _
5) E H S I I S N E R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Easter Story Wreath Craft
- Cut a circle out of construction paper to serve as the back of your wreath.
- Pick the different ‘events’ you will use. Recommended: Palm Sunday, Last Supper, crucifixion, empty tomb, ascension. Other ideas: praying in Gethsemane, Holy Spirit comes down, the Great Commission
- Create a symbol/picture for each event. (You can also go online and look for templates/ideas.) Color, draw, print cutout, or decorate your symbols however you choose.
- Create labels for each event.
- Glue the events and labels to the wreath, alternating labels and events in the order the events occured.
- Make a loop from yarn, twine, wire, or even a pipe cleaner. Attach it to the top of your wreath.