HOLY WEEK
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter starting with Palm Sunday, which is this Sunday, April 5. We use this week to walk us through the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, preparing our hearts and minds for Easter Sunday.
Our Next Generation leaders have put together a guide that has readings, reflections and activities for each day. This guide is designed for individuals and also has family adaptations. There are also printable PDFs of the content for each day. Or, if you prefer, a printable PDF for the entire week can be found at the bottom of this page. Suggested supplies for the activities include a Bible, green construction paper, bread and grape juice.
Schedule
Bible Passage
Activity
Sing Hosanna and say John 12:13
Reflection
Re-read the bible passage. If you were there, where would you be in the story? What would you be feeling in that moment?
Family Adaptation
Make palm leaves out of green construction paper and parade around singing Hosanna or saying John 12:13.
Bible Passage
Activity
Clean your house or a room in your house.
Reflection
As you clean, consider God’s plan for redemption. We can see in Genesis 1:1 that God creates order out of chaos, and Christ makes all things new in Isaiah 43 and Revelation 21.
Family Adaptation
Help your children clean their room or a common play area. As you clean, talk with them about our need for God to save us from our sins. Explain that sin is anything that goes against God and separates us from Him.
Bible Passage
Activity
Memorize John 3:16 – 17, repeat it throughout the day.
Reflection
Use this verse as a reminder that God loves you so much he sent his son to die for you. Thank God that he cares enough about you to die for you.
Family Adaptation
Your children might not be able to memorize both verses. Focus on memorizing John 3:16 and share with your children about its importance. See the verse scavenger hunt print out for more fun!
Bible Passage
Activity
Consider giving up something, such as coffee, dessert or TV until Easter.
Reflection
Every time you think about the thing you gave up, reflect on the suffering Jesus endured on your behalf.
Family Adaptation
Choose something to give up as a family until Easter such as dessert, tv, or your favorite family game. Each time you think of the item you gave up, talk with your children about things for which we are grateful: Time together as a family, God’s love for us, playing outside, etc.
Bible Passage
Activity
Break bread and drink grape juice as a family. Read Luke 22:7-20 while you eat dinner.
Reflection
Before dinner, pray to God and ask him to open your eyes to the weight of the suffering he endured on our behalf, so that we can have a full life and eternity with Him.
Family Adaptation
After doing the activity as a family, ask your children the following questions:
What do you think Jesus was symbolizing with bread and wine?
What do you think Jesus meant by his “suffering”?
Is there anything that confuses you about this story?
Bible Passage
John 18 & 19
Activity
Turn off the lights in your house at 3 PM to signify the darkness that entered the world.
Reflection
Jesus was a perfect man and fully God. He chose to lay his life down for you, a sinner. Reflect on the pain and suffering He willingly endured on your behalf.
Family Adaptation
Turn off the lights in your house at 3 PM to signify the darkness that entered the world. Explain to your children about the importance of this event in our lives as Christians.
Bible Passage
Psalms 12,13, 44, and 86
Activity
Read through the Psalms of lament: Psalms 12, 13, 44, and 86.
Reflection
Imagine yourself as someone who trusted in Jesus while he was alive. Once Jesus was crucified, his followers thought their savior was dead. The person they put their trust in was murdered. Reflect on the darkness you would’ve felt.
Family Adaptation
Talk with your child about Jesus dying. They may know someone who has died. Talk with them about that person and speak with them about the hope we have in Jesus and that Jesus came back to life!
Bible Passage
John 20
Activity
Joyfully use this Easter Greeting “He is risen” and response “He is risen indeed” with those you encounter today.
Reflection
Thank God that Jesus’s story didn’t end with the grave! Our savior has risen! He has saved us from our sins!
Family Adaptation
Use a bell or alarm to initiate special times throughout the day to use the Easter greeting.