Introduction: Your family has been on an amazing journey. From Bethlehem to Nazareth to Jerusalem, you’ve followed Jesus’ footsteps. This week you will enter Jerusalem and walk with Jesus through his last week, crucifixion, death and resurrection. This is the holiest week of the year, as our Savior went to the cross for our salvation. Set this week aside, cut back on extra curricular activities and plan on attending weekday services this week. Many churches offer Maudy Thursday and Good Friday services.
**Attention Parents - On Friday your family will need a large pillar candle. Your family will be lighting it as your Disciple’s candle. This candle will stay lit from Friday evening until Sunday morning so purchase a candle that can burn for at least 36- 48 hours. You do not want it to burn out before Easter morning.
Monday
Introduction: If you attended church yesterday, you probably know that it was Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. As he entered the city, people laid down their cloaks for him and lined the street with branches. Today we will read about his hero’s welcome.
Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry
Discussion: As Jesus entered the city people shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Hosanna means save. The people were looking for a savior. But they were not looking for the kind of savior that we think of Jesus as being. Many people thought that Jesus was coming to save them from Roman rule. But Jesus was coming to save them in a much bigger way! Discuss as a family the difference between Jesus saving the people of Jerusalem from their government versus saving all people for eternity.
Prayer: Close your devotional time with a prayer. For example:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this time together to study your Word and learn about your son Jesus. Thank you for sending him to truly save us and give us eternal life. Be with us Lord in this coming week. Help us to make the time to focus on you and your amazing gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Tuesday
Introduction: While in Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the temple. In today’s reading we will see two sides of Jesus personality while he is in the temple. Listen to the reading to hear who makes Jesus angry and who draws out Jesus’ love and compassion.
Reading: Matthew 21: 12-16 Jesus in the Temple
Discussion Questions:
1. Did you hear the answer? Who made Jesus so angry that he threw over tables and benches? Why did that make him angry?
2. Who brought out Jesus’ love and compassion? What did he do for them?
3. What does today’s reading teach us about Jesus?
Prayer: Close your devotional time with a prayer. For example:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this time to read your word and learn more about Jesus. We thank you for this time our family has had together to discuss your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Wednesday
Introduction: The chief priests had been looking for a way to get rid of Jesus. They did not like his teachings or the crowds that followed him so passionately. In tonight’s reading we will see how one of Jesus’ own disciples agrees to help them.
Reading: Luke 22: 1-6 Judas agrees to betray Jesus
Discussion: The name Judas is one that most people know. We hear the name and think of someone bad, someone who betrayed his friend Jesus. Have you ever thought of yourself as a Judas? “Of course not!” you say? It is easy in today’s world where religion is not valued by many to betray Jesus in small and large ways. When friends make fun of religion or do things that God tells us are wrong, do you always stand up for your faith? Do you betray Jesus by laughing along with them? It is a tough question! Take some time to talk about the pressure each person in your family may feel to go against God.
Prayer: Close your devotional time with a prayer. For example:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to be strong in our faith and our love for you, no matter where we are. Help us to stand for you even when it is hard. Thank you Lord, for this time together where we have learned about your Word. Go with us through the rest of Holy Week as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. In his name we pray, amen.
Thursday
Introduction: Today there are two readings. They are longer than previous days’ readings. The discussion questions are broken into two parts. The first is to be discussed after the first reading before the second reading is read.
Readings: John 13: 1-17 Jesus washes His Disciples Feet
Mark 14: 12- 72 The Last Supper and Jesus’ arrest
Discussion Questions:
First Reading: If you were to wash your family members’ feet, it might feel embarrassing, or silly or even a little gross. Feet can be a bit stinky at times. In Jesus’ time, feet were more than a little stinky – they were down right disgusting! Men wore open sandals and streets were full of animal waste and dirt. In washing the disciples feet Jesus took on a very dirty and lowly job that was usually done by slaves. Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13: 15. Talk briefly about the example Jesus set for us in being humble and serving one another – then read the second reading.
Second Reading:
1. Today we read about Jesus at the Last Supper. This supper was no everyday meal. Jesus was having a Passover Seder with his Disciples. The Passover Seder is a very important part of Jewish religious life. During Jesus’ last supper, he shared bread and wine with the disciples and said, “Do this in memory of me.” Most churches carry this tradition on today in the form of Communion, Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. Discuss your church’s practice.
2. Imagine yourself there with Jesus on the night of his arrest. What would you have thought of Jesus’ closest friends after seeing Peter, James and John fall asleep three times, Judas betray him and Peter deny him three times?
3. Jesus’ followers were flawed indeed. They were far from perfect, and at this most important time, they failed and betrayed Jesus just as he had predicted. Jesus had told them how they would fail and betray him. He knew all along their faults, but he loved them all the same. What does this teach us about Jesus?
Prayer: Close your devotion time with a prayer. For example,
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this time together to learn about your Word. Help us to remember the example that Jesus gave us, as we try to serve one another humbly and with love. Just as your disciples were flawed, we know that we are flawed as well. Thank you Lord for loving us just as we are. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Good Friday
** Attention Parents: Tonight you will light your disciple’s candle at the end of your devotion. See Family Activity 5.
Introduction: After Jesus’ arrest last night, the disciples must have woken today with many conflicting emotions; fear about being arrested, anger at what Judas had done, and sadness at what lay ahead for Jesus. Today would be a heartbreaking and terrifying day as they watched their beloved teacher crucified.
Reading: Mark 15 The Crucifixion of Jesus
Discussion: What would you have felt if you had watch Jesus be crucified?
At the end of your discussion, light your Disciples’ candle. See Family Activity 5.
Prayer: Close your devotion time with a prayer. For example:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Tonight we remember the darkest of days, when your son Jesus was crucified. We thank you Lord for the sacrifice of your son, a sacrifice that you willingly made for us and our salvation. Lord as we sit here tonight with our candle lit, we ask that it serve as a reminder to us of the long wait Jesus’ disciples had while they waited to see if he would rise again. Lord we live in the glory of knowing that Jesus did indeed rise again, and now we live waiting for his glorious return. May the light of this candle represent the hope we have that Jesus will indeed come again soon. Go with us Lord this weekend. May the days ahead of us be set aside as holy. Help us find time to think about all that you have done for us. Help us to find quiet time to pray. And be with us as we joyfully worship Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday. All these things, we pray in your son’s name, amen.
Saturday
Introduction and Discussion: Gather your family around the lit Disciples candle for your devotion time. Today we remember a day that the Disciples waited. They waited in fear. Fear of being arrested for following Jesus. Fear that Jesus was dead and would not rise again. Today we do not have a reading from the bible. We know the bible is God’s word. Today we remember a day when the world was without His son Jesus. There were no teachings, no healings, no time spent walking with the son of God. There was only waiting. Discuss what would the life look like today – both personally and the world as a whole – if today was the end of the story – if Jesus had not risen from the dead.
Resurrection Sunday!
Introduction: Jesus is Risen! Greet your family members’ with this traditional greeting. “Christ is Risen!” “He is Risen Indeed!” Blow out your Disciples Candle. The wait is over. Our Lord Jesus Christ is Risen.
Reading: Luke 24: 1-8 The Resurrection.
Discussion: On this special day which may be filled with church, family, friends and food, take time to pray together as a family and thank God for our salvation through Jesus Christ.