But now they are hidden from your eyes. So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood, see to it yourselves.". Church Worker Wellness - Week 55 devotion: Emotional wellness Christmas, Easter, and the Cross is for you. He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 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. Who does He think He is? (Matthew 26:17-25), Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Every day, we will publish a new Passion Week devotion and direct you to other content to help you stay tuned in and connected to God throughout the week. To be a friend of Jesus is to be a revolutionary. As a volunteer in my small rural church, I have no budget for curriculum. This Easter Bible study will help you understand Holy Week and how Jesus' death and resurrection applies to your daily life. How can this be? For He will be like a refiners fire and like cleansing lye. Do you see now why the cross is so significant? We praise you, we bless you, Lord! I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." We dont know much about that time, other than the fact that he fasted and prayed and was tempted by the devil. This is a day my kids really feel. It is the second day that Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the Bible records Christ teaching and. Use this devotional to help your students strengthen their spiritual muscles and learn to become more like Jesus. In verse 34, Jesus says, I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. This verse has been particularly confusing, because it seems that Jesus is saying that the generation He was speaking to would see His second coming. Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Perhaps pick a time each day alone or with family or housemates to slow down and savor what was happening during the Passion week some two thousands years ago. Who gave You this authority? (v. 23). Thank you. Im very well aware of Lent partly because I live in the New Orleans area and Mardi Gras, which is celebrated the day before Lent begins, is a huge thing here. The religious leaders were questioning Jesus authorization to do what He did. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? Horton - Nashville Web Design & SEO, a WST Web Design Co. Each devotion consists of a Bible passage, a devotional thought, an idea for reflection, and a prayer. This post and resource was originally published on Apr 3, 2020, and has been revised and updated for continual application. He is our substitute sacrifice, and He has died the death we deserved to die. FROM BILLYGRAHAM.ORG - " Prepare for Easterfor Holy Week a devotional each day from Thursday through Sunday. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. The same should be true for His followers. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! At Easter, the Son of God took on the worlds sin and defeated the devil, death, and the grave. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The Christian Standard Bible is a trustworthy translation that is proven to be the optimal blend of accuracy and readability. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae061dd0a1adfbed9a6220aa689c5620" );document.getElementById("i94c344953").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Enter your email address below to subscribe to the church newsletter. (Matthew 27:57-61), The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. Their professed agnosticismWe dont knowin verse 27 was simply a smoke screen. 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. He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. Consider the authority Jesus demonstrates Jesus had made clear in Matthew 12:6 that He is greater than the temple. The Passover meal must be prepared with all new and fresh ingredients. 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. Amen. One features a New Testament chapter each day. At this point, they can choose to eat the candy now or save it to use in the next game. Like Jesus, our example and Friend. They must use the straw to grab the candy by sucking through the straw and carry the candy to the empty bowl on the other table. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. The resurrection of Jesus validates everything He said, taught, and told us He came to do. Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. What Lent and Why is it Celebrated?What is the Holy Week? Theres much discussion over what is meant by terms like generation, pass away, and all these things. Good scholars have reached different conclusions. Holy week is an opportunity for youth leaders to reacquaint teenagers with these deep truths. So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Its purpose is to help believers remain focused on the birth of Christ and Jesus' glorious return. 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. But who can endure the day of His coming? Our Shepherd's crucifixion and resurrection now make joy and true life available to His followers . We've compiled five 10 minute sermons for you to use with your youth ministry! What are you doing today that would cause you to be ashamed before Jesus if He were to come this moment? ", And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. This is intended to be used as a daily devotion for families as they prepare to celebrate Easter. How is it that historys most glorious moment is surrounded by fearful fishermen, despised tax collectors, marginalized women, feeble politicians, and traitorous friends? Included with each lesson is a leader prep section, introductory game, and discussion questions. Preserve us in your grace; through your mercy, O our God, you are blessed and govern all things, now and forever. Spending these days in prayerful preparation can help enrich your celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. Celebrating Lent is not just about giving things up; it can also be about adding good things to our lives, as well as about serving others. Go, make it as secure as you can." In the bowls on one table place five to ten cotton balls, and on the rim put a glob of petroleum jelly. In the second part of verse 13, Jesus says that Gods house has been made into a den of thieves. This is likely a reference to Jeremiah 7:10, a temple address in which God disciplined His people for offering ritual sacrifices while living in total disobedience to Him. We may not have the natural ability to multiply bread and fish on . If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" The season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and, depending on the year, can range from 22 to 28 days. 1st Corinthians 15:55-57 teaches us that sin is the sting of death: Death, where is your victory? 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). Palm Sunday. In verse 30 Jesus says that the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see Him coming. 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. Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, right after Palm Sunday. If Jesus didnt rise from the dead, then we dont have to worry about a thing He said, because it was a lie. . Litany of Humility. (on version one) Attend at least one weekday or special Mass during Holy Week. What is Holy Week? Join with a different United Methodist pastor daily Monday through Saturday of Holy Week for a special devotion that will guide you through Jesus and his followers' difficult journey. Would He assume the mantle of political leader and lead a revolt? All history revolves around this scene in Matthew 2627, and all our lives are determined by what we do in response to this scene. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? Many churches schedule multiple events throughout Holy week, starting with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. This text leaves no doubt that the day of Christs return will be evident to all. They may not use their hands in any of this. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. In his name, we ask you to help our unbelief. (A day to indulge before fasting), What does Lent commemorate? Post the social media graphics and copy and paste the full devotional into the comments/post. Whose son is he?" 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. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. Hosanna in the highest heaven! Devotional on "Authentic community" This first devotion for youth comes from I Am A Disciple, a 40-Day Student Discipleship Journal. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Each devotional is editable so YOU can decide how best to use these with your youth! God's Big Easter Story: A Holy Week Journey for Families provides your family with a simple, meaningful way to grow in faith together as you remember the events leading up to Jesus' death and celebrate Jesus' resurrection.. Prayer Before the Crucifix. By Doug Franklin April 13, 2021. We have prepared a brief devotional for each day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, following the Gospel of John from chapter 12 to chapter 20. Jesus closes this chapter and the Gospel as a whole by claiming, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth (v. 18). Todd Outcalt, Creating a Life of Meaningful Prayer And His death teaches us the depth and breadth that there should be in our forgiveness of one another. InThe Characters of Easter, youll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christs death and resurrection. It is the second day that Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the Bible records Christ teaching and debating the religious leaders over Holy Monday and the next day (Holy Tuesday). Lord God, the message of the cross is difficult to take. For all who believe in Christ, the truth of Christs judgment is good news. Jesus experienced the wrath of God, and not just for a moment, but for hours. The winner gets a piece of candy (or two, if they gave up their candy before the game). And He will have the last word in the lives of each of us for all of eternity. Thank you to all the contributors to this Holy Week bundle series: Sign Up to Receive Youth Ministry Resources Like These in Your Inbox. We walk a different path from the world around us. The people came with questions. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the Temple courts and instructed his disciples about faithfulness. These sermons will encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don't know Christ, understand that worship is . In the midst of these signs, from generation to generation, followers of Christ are called to wait patiently. Matthew 24:34 seems to teach that all of the things that Jesus has talked abouttribulation, deception, temptation, and persecutionwould come upon His disciples, and that others in that generation would see the destruction of Jerusalem as a foretaste of the return of Jesus. There were, indeed, thousands of people on hand during the Passover (and from all over the Mediterranean landscape); expectations were high. Your email address will not be published. If they give up their candy and win the quiz game, then they get their piece back plus two more. And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. Christian Schools Reflections Two minutes. On each table place a paper bowl for each student playing the game. 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 ). Hi Lisa, We are glad to hear you all are finding the lessons so useful. A quarter of Luke's Gospel, one-third of Matthew and Mark and almost half of John are devoted to . Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. Shortly before His own death, Jesus told His disciples the following: No one takes it [My life] from Me, but I lay it down on My own. To Week 5. Based on the prophecy in Malachi 3:1-4, the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come and purify the temple and the people of Jerusalem. Devotional Reading : To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son, Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. 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. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Matthews reference to the clouds of heaven in verse 30 is not just an allusion to Daniel 7. DECATUR, Georgia "May God grant you the perfect darkness that you may find rest that soothes your creaking soul," writes the Rev. Taking turns, players will stand or squat on the side of the table opposite the markers. 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Neither disease nor natural disasters have the last word in this world; because of the resurrection, Jesus does. Then do you come and stand before Me in this house called by My name and say, We are delivered, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts? For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. She has served in ministry positions such as co-pastor, youth minister, and spiritual director. Daily devotions are modified from Exalting Jesus in Matthew from the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series, by David Platt. The first player to get all their candy from one bowl to the other is the winner. The 25 Advent devotions, one for every day December 1-25, can accompany the lighting of the candles in a traditional Advent wreath. For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet. All of Scripture builds to this pivotal week, pointing to the moment when Jesus would bear the weight of humanity's sin. They ask a lot of questions and we have some of our best Holy Week discussions on this day. 162 views, 5 likes, 2 loves, 5 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church: Tuesday Holy Week Devotional Instead of fearing God, which the Bible says is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), these leaders had an unhealthy fear of man. And who will be able to stand when He appears? We toured the townpressed shoulder-to-shoulder with the thousands of others who were enjoying the atmosphere. Our anticipation will grow as we study more Scripture and light another candle each week of December: the Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, the Shepherds' Candle, the Angels' Candle, and the Christ Candle. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. The lesson of this parable is that Christians confidently watch, for they see the leaves on the tree (the signs Jesus has spoken of) indicating that the Lords return is near. "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Based on the portrait of Christ we see throughout Matthews Gospel, we should long for the coming of Christ. John had made Jesus identity as the Messiah clear, and the people respected John as a prophet. Jesus absolute authority based on the resurrection means that He has authority over life and death. However, as we noted earlier, Jesus cry on the cross was also a cry of spiritual anguish. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. Would I be ready? If not, then repent and believe in Christ today. Stop toying with sin and pursue the One who died to set you free from it. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation." I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. But if Jesus rose from the dead, then we must accept everything He said, for His authority is absolute. Now, with Jesus death, we have a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27) sealed not with the blood of an animal sacrifice, but with the blood of the Son of God Himself (Hebrews 10:1-18). Yet your word says that Jesus, being God, took on human flesh and suffered the worst kind of death. you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" The more we live in this world, the more we will long for Christ to come back to this world. This offer is available to pastors and ministry leaders (while supplies last). We stumble, we become lost, But you are steady and sure. This hideout for criminals against God needed to be restored to a house of prayer for God. This misplaced fear is what led them to question Jesus, and it leads many people to question Jesus authority today. In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Weve provided social media graphics for you to use if youd like to engage your students with these devotionals online for an added element of connection and interaction. Jesus walked into a similar situation in Matthew 21, and as a holy King, He came to cleanse and to purify Gods temple. Following Christ is difficult because we still areasking these same questions in our time but in a different context. Is He in charge of this place? Instead of such worship, however, Jesus found a commercial business filled with scores of people selling sacrifices and exchanging money. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. Holy Week Devotional - A Resurrection Faith. Devotions from the KJV Bible | Free Daily Devotionals Two free daily devotionals that teach biblical principles and doctrines. How can weakness be a strength? If they keep their original candy, they get one piece for winning. Holy Week is a remarkably powerful spiritual week. Raised With Christ: Holy Week 2021 Each year, we love to offer a free holy week devotional to our community. Have students (individually, or a representative from each team) take turns playing the game. . All of us have built-in longings and desires for meaning and purpose, and this tells us that this world is not the entire picture. Remind them that whatever they choose should be meaningful to them and beneficial to others. This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He came the first time lying in a manger; however, He will come the second time riding on the clouds. Remember that the purpose of the resurrection is grounded in Christs love for us. The question for us is, Will we let unbelief and the opinions of others control us, or will we submit to God and His Son Jesus Christ? Jesus knew that His question would uncover their hearts. (Christs 40 days in the desert), What is the purpose of Lent? The world will know we are his disciples If we love one another. Reflecting on what Jesus did on the cross and all throughout that precious week is worthy of celebration for every believer! In addition, this was also a cry of relational alienation. Poem - The Charcoal Fire. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. If they choose to give something up, it should not be for its own sake, but rather for the sake of gaining something greater (like the candy prizes with the games). This is to remind us of the great sacrifice that Christ made for us. While we cant physically be with our youth and families, we can still resource them on their personal spiritual journeys as we all journey toward the Cross this Easter. If they drop a cotton ball before putting into their bowl, they must pick it up (they can use their hands for this) and put it back in the starting bowl. The Spirit in Christ From Youth, March 4. A 7-Day Holy Week Devotional How Jesus Spent His Final Days Before the Cross Over one fourth of the book of Matthew is devoted to the last week before Jesus' death. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of this most sacred time as we gather for worship at 8:30 and 10:30 am in-person and also via Livestream for the later service.. A special Maundy Thursday worship service on April 6 will be held in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm when we experience a solemn service of sacred music, Scripture and Communion. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Amen. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on . We dont have all the answers, but we seek to be friends who will carry the Spirit of Jesus through this life and be witnesses to His love. Download free creative youth group lessons that will engage and interest your teenagers. All rights reserved. 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. Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? By your Passion, you have set us free from eternal death. This leads to the next attribute of Jesus. But once again, Jesus fulfills these expectations in a way the people never could have expected. No. We would love to keep you updated on the newest titles from CSB. Discipleship Bible Study Lessons for youth: Ministry to Youth offers 54 engaging discipleship lessons including such topics as: Grace, Priorities, Evangelism, Prayer and Faith. Help us to hope always in you, and through Your resurrection, the making of all things new. For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (Isaiah 53:7) Almighty God, grant that we who are continually afflicted because of our evil deeds may be freed by the passion of your only-begotten Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Also, if you haven't already, download a daily devotional for Lent. The best way to introduce younger children to Lenten practices is for them to see adults and older kids in the family practicing them; use their natural curiosity and desire to be "grown up" as a springboard for talking about what you're doing and why. That's so cool! Required fields are marked *. Editors Note:This post and resource was originally published on Apr 3, 2020, and has been revised and updated for continual application. All of these things help us get a fuller picture of those last days, and help us understand what it was really like for Christ. (Matthew 26:26-29). But your foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. If so, let go of these things. You get to join in on God's activity in their lives. Centuries ago, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, there was a uniqueexcitement,only instead of welcoming a Super Bowl team, the people had turned out to catch a glimpse of a Galilean prophet named Jesus. It was, in fact, all very exciting and dizzying. Kirsten Peyton, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Help parents connect with kids camp experience, When Being the King or Queen of Wing Is Not a Good Thing, 33: Fostering Social Justice in Your Youth Ministry, The Greatest Thing You Can Do For Your Man, Welcome Mats: Entry Points for Youth Ministry, Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Director of Children and Youth Ministries, First Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn IL - Director of Student Ministiries, The Church of the Holy Spirit - Director of Youth Ministry, Christ Church Episcopal - Director of Youth and Children's Ministry, Central UMC - Director of Youth Ministries. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. However, if they claimed that Johns authority was from heaven, then they would be guilty of rejecting God, since they denied that Jesus was the Messiah. ", And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. Good Friday, April 10, 2020. How different this will be from His first coming! "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." Holy means "set apart.". So there are seven daily devotions that focus on the theme and bring you insight, understanding and revelation from the Bible. This text should cause us to ask ourselves, What if this happened today? Maundy Thursday. April 10, 2022 / Articles / By Bryan Wolfmueller / Leave a Comment. You put me into the dust of death. As people created in God's image, we are a gift to our families and communities. We are happy to hear that you can find these lessons and games so useful.