Patrick Boatwright, Thin Spaces God sent His Son to pay the price for our sin, and the resurrection lets us know that our hope of salvation is not some made-up story, some fanciful myth. Easter Sunday. This teaching is designed for a small groups. Give each student a note card and writing utensil. My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. I Love This Holy Week Resource for Families (and It's Free!) In addition, each day on Facebook and on this page, we are posting video reflections from members of our pastoral staff to encourage us to pray, reflect and journey through Holy Week as a congregation. . Holy Week Devotions | First Baptist Church Greensboro President Nelson asks young adults, 'Decide what kind of life you want Help us to stay strong and true to you. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Poem - The Prayer of the Peasant of Ephesus. Jesus walked into a similar situation in Matthew 21, and as a holy King, He came to cleanse and to purify Gods temple. They do this by dabbing jelly on their noses and sticking their noses in the bowl of cotton balls and getting a cotton ball to stick to their noses. These actions led the religious leaders to ask, By what authority are You doing these things? The games are used to break up the lesson to keep students engaged, and are meant to reinforce the theme of the lesson (Lent is about giving something up to achieve a greater good). He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. All history revolves around this scene in Matthew 2627, and all our lives are determined by what we do in response to this scene. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. If you are a genuine follower of Christ, are there things in your life that you still need to repent of, sins that youre holding on to and toying with? Hosanna in the highest heaven! (John 10:18). This is a week of remembrance, worship, and dedication to what Christ has done. Holy Week Devotional - A Resurrection Faith | Bethany United Methodist Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. They may not use their hands in any of this. While churches will vary in how they observe the events of . Jesus knew that God the Father had given Him the authority to do everything He had done up to this point in His life and ministry (John 5:19- 29). Throughout the Bible we are commanded and exhorted to be kind ( Gal 5:22; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12 ), even to our enemies ( Lk 6:35 ). It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Before you begin with the quiz, offer the students the opportunity to give up their piece of candy they received after the previous game. "You'll find spiritual trail markers in many places friends and families . Encourage your students to make a thoughtful choice that will provide them a meaningful Lenten experience. But who can endure the day of His coming? FROM BILLYGRAHAM.ORG - " Prepare for Easterfor Holy Week a devotional each day from Thursday through Sunday. Abbie Taylor, Serve Jesus knew that His question would uncover their hearts. He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'? Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple, the Messenger of the covenant you desiresee, He is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Let's take a brief look at some of the primary observances in Holy Week: Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Rather, He offended the politicians of His day, along with the religious leaders, and subsequently was crucified as a revolutionary and a madman. So what does it mean for Jesus to have absolute authority over you and me? Indeed, He is Lord of the temple, and He has the right to do in it whatever He desires, including throwing it into disarray. (Matthew 26:26-29). Jesus refers to My blood that establishes the covenant in Matthew 26:28, and this is the only time the word covenant is used in Matthews Gospel. Lent is a time of self-reflection and self-denial in preparation for the celebration of Christs death and resurrection during Holy Week. We are happy to hear that you can find these lessons and games so useful. Jesus cry on the cross was a cry of physical agony, spiritual anguish, and relational alienation. These sermons will encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don't know Christ, understand that worship is . He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. (Luke 19:28-44). So Jesus, in righteous anger, drove them all out, overturning their tables and their seats (Matthew 21:12). We walk a different path from the world around us. Exodus 20:8 is the original verse explaining to Gods people how to observe this law, Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. This is intended to be used as a daily devotion for families as they prepare to celebrate Easter. This is intended to be used as a daily devotion for families as they prepare to celebrate Easter. We asked laity from each participating church to answer the question . by Fred Alberti. Would Jesus raise up an army? That we may love you, and walk in the way Jesus taught us. Reflections - Higher Things Let everyone know that the Son of God came to save sinners, and that He has given His life on the cross for those who deserve His wrath. This message is indeed difficult to take. The first player to get all their candy from one bowl to the other is the winner. While that holy Friday was tremendous, it was only a prelude to Sunday morning when He was raised from the dead. Included with each lesson is a leader prep section, introductory game, and discussion questions. We can never grow close enough to God and these Passion Week devotions have been created to enhance and help you grow in your spiritual journey with Jesus in days leading up to Easter. Jesus absolute authority based on the resurrection means that He has authority over life and death. Yes, as a matter of fact, He is. Dont forget to Invite your youth to share their completed Challenges from the devotional in the comments or using a hashtag you create! All of Scripture builds to this pivotal week, pointing to the moment when Jesus would bear the weight of humanitys sin. Much could be said about the themes in this psalm and their relation to the crucifixion, but for now we should note that this was a cry of physical agony as Jesus physically hung on the cross. This Easter Bible study will help you understand Holy Week and how Jesus' death and resurrection applies to your daily life. The week, as it turned out, was one of the mildest Hoosier winters on record, and thousands of people turned out on the streets to enjoy the various attractions and the ambiance of the Super Bowl experience in temperatures that were almost spring-like. Devotions for Teenagers and Youth - Daily devotions for youth, teens He is our substitute sacrifice, and He has died the death we deserved to die. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what is known as the Last Supper and he washed their feet saying: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). DECATUR, Georgia "May God grant you the perfect darkness that you may find rest that soothes your creaking soul," writes the Rev. Maundy Thursday. In preparation for Passover, our Jewish friends must do a thorough cleaning of their houses and kitchens and get rid of all their old food. Free Youth Series on Easter - For Ministry Resources It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. This text leaves no doubt that the day of Christs return will be evident to all. This section of Matthews Gospel has been referred to as Jesus final break with Judaism, for He takes the religious leaders of Jerusalem head-on, making claims that they considered blasphemousclaims that would lead them to crucify Him. Lest we think these were just innocent questions by the religious leaders, remember that they had already rejected John the Baptists message (v. 32); these questions often come from unbelief. He said to them, It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves! In Isaiah 56:7, God says that His house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Yet here in Matthew 21, the people of God were preventing the nations from praying. Jesus is celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, a meal they ate every year to remember Gods deliverance from Egypt (see, When Jesus cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me? in verse 46, He was suffering separation from God for our reconciliation. Poem - The Charcoal Fire. "Hosanna! And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. Thank you for sharing your free Lessons. (Daniel 7:13-14). For all who believe in Christ, the truth of Christs judgment is good news. The way this works is that students (or teams) start out with a prize (candy works well) and, with each new game, have the option of giving up their prize for the opportunity to win extra candy or prizes if they win the next game. Traditionally, Christians will fast from something (usually certain foods or drink or certain activities) during the 40 days of Lent (with the exception of Sundays, which is a weekly celebration of Christs resurrection). The resurrection of Jesus validates everything He said, taught, and told us He came to do. Compassion for the Crowd | CBN.com The fact that Jesus has authority over life and death, as well as over sin and Satan, leads to one unavoidable conclusion: He has authority over you and me. Thank you to all the contributors to this Holy Week bundle series: Sign Up to Receive Youth Ministry Resources Like These in Your Inbox. This text should cause us to ask ourselves, What if this happened today? Holy Week Devotional Guide with Scripture & Prayer - Crosswalk.com