Family Preparation for Holy Week (2000).pdf

Family Preparation for Holy Week

Observing Holy Week as an Individual or a Family

Questions asked during Christ’s Last Week

Monday:      “Are You a King?” (John 18:37)
Tuesday:     “What is the Sign of Your Coming?” (Matt 24:30)
Wednesday:     “Whose wife will she be in the Resurrection?” (Matt 22:28)
Thursday:     “Which is the Greatest Commandment?” (Matt 22:35-36)
Friday:     “What do you Think of Christ?” (Matt 22:41-42)
Saturday:     “Are you the Son of God?” (Matt 26:63)

“Nails of the Cross”

Monday:         The Nail of Pride (Mark 12:38-40)
Tuesday:        The Nail of Hatred (John 15:23-25)
Wednesday:        The Nail of Envy (Matthew 27:18)
Thursday:        The Nail of Indecision (Matthew 27:22)
Friday:        The Nail of Unfaithfulness (Matthew 26:56)
Saturday:        The Nail of Cruelty (Isaiah 53:5)

Especially Helpful for Children

During the week study the following passages and collect the items listed underneath. (Different symbols can be used for each daily reading and as part of the Treasure Hunt Easter morning)

Monday:    John 12:1-11    “Anointed at Bethany” (Bottle of perfume, pieces of hair)
Tuesday:    John 12:20-36    “Jesus Predicts His Death” (Candle, flashlight)
Wednesday:    Matt 26:14-25    “The Last Supper”    (Crackers, bag of coins)
Thursday:    John 13:1-17    “Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet” (Towel, basin, bar of soap)
Friday:    John 19:17-30    “Christ Crucified” (sponge, dice, nail, cross, thorny branch, sign)
Saturday:    Matt 17:57-66    “Christ Buried” (strips of white cloth, stone)
EASTER:    John 20:1-31    “Christ’s RESURRECTION” (Treasure Hunt)

Directions for Treasure Hunt:
While children are asleep Saturday evening, hide the items that have been collected over the week.On Easter morning have children go on a hunt to find the items. After all the items have been located and gathered up, come back together and have the children show what they have found. As each item is displayed, ask the children what part that item played in the events of Holy Week. If your children can read and are stumped on any of the items, give them the Bible reference as a clue.  Let your children look up the verses and figure it out.

Other Ideas for Worship

Read and Learn Together:
    The Lord’s Prayer
    The Doxology and Gloria Patri
    The Messianic Psalms: 2, 22, 31, 69, 110, 118
    Psalms of Repentance: 32, 34, 38, 40, 51, 130
    The Palm Sunday Psalm: 24
    Isaiah 53
    The Resurrection Chapter – 1 Corinthians 15
    The Lamb of God – Revelation 5:9-14

Listen to Music and Learn Hymns:
“The Messiah” (Passion section) – Handel
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”   
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”          
“And Can it Be, That I Should Gain”
“Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus”              
“Hallelujah, What a Savior”
“Christ Arose”
“Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”

Easter Activities

Use Holy Week Candles

Collect six candles and arrange them as a centerpiece or in a special place set aside for family devotions. Light all of the candles on Palm Sunday. Each day light one less candle in your grouping, like the reverse of the Advent Wreath. On Good Friday the last candle is blown out and none are lit on Saturday. On Resurrection Day re-light all the candles, perhaps adding plants or flowers for your Easter dinner centerpiece.

Symbolism of the Candles

The candles represent the growing darkness of evil and Satan’s power as the events of the crucifixion approach. Jesus is the Light of the World, and on Resurrection Day he proved that darkness had no power over him. You may like to read John 1:1-18 and other passages regarding Jesus’ victory over death and Satan.

Calvary Mountain

If you are really ambitious, make a Calvary Mountain out of clay, salt dough or Play Dough. Shape a mountain of some kind on a flat base, forming a “cave” in the side (the mountain itself could be formed over an oatmeal box).  Shape a “stone” to fit over the door of the cave or find a real stone to fit. Punch holes in the top of the mountain with toothpicks, which will later hold pipecleaner “people” (or make people out of clothespins, or purchase figures to represent Jesus, disciples, soldiers, etc.). Make a cross from two sticks or thin pieces of wood and make an indentation in the center of the mountaintop to hold it.  Bake or allow to harden.

Use this scene as a center piece throughout the week. Use the scene along with the cross and people to play out the events of Holy Week.  Place your Jesus figure in the cave on Good Friday night and place the stone over the door. Saturday night or early Easter morning, take the stone from the door and place your Jesus figure on the top of the mountain. You will be delighted at your children’s reaction to this wonderful surprise, especially if you have been carefully teaching the story all week.

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