Based on the portrait of Christ we see throughout Matthews Gospel, we should long for the coming of Christ. by Alexis Waid | Apr 3, 2020 | Blog, Devotions, Easter | 0 comments, As part of the lead up to Easter Sunday every year, there is a week that the Church collectively celebrates and remembers Passion Week. He is the covenant keeper (Exodus 24) who seals us with His blood. 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. Reflecting on what Jesus did on the cross and all throughout that precious week is worthy of celebration for every believer! Home - LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth Your role as a youth ministry leader is vitally important because you have the privilege of pointing students to Jesus. Give each student a note card and writing utensil. And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. April 9 at 9:00 am and 11:00 am in the Sanctuary. Matthew 21 has already presented several aspects of this authority: Christ came to Jerusalem and received praise and worship from the people, cleansed the temple, and taught in the temple courts. 2. And His death teaches us the depth and breadth that there should be in our forgiveness of one another. Our celebration of Holy Week often coincides on the calendar with the Jewish celebration of Passover. In addition, this was also a cry of relational alienation. Is He in charge of this place? Advent for Kids - Focus on the Family Devotional Tools for Holy Week. speed and the best experience on this site. What is Holy Week? ONE YEAR YOUTH CURRICULUM, VOL 3 - Save 82% on one year of Bible studies and teaching curriculum for youth ministry. It takes two minutes to read a daily Reflection full of the Gospel of Christ crucified for you. Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, right after Palm Sunday. Shrouded by darkness and seared with pain, He experienced the cup of Gods wrath. Top Ten Free Easter Devotionals - Inspired and Refreshed Blog 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. Help us to hope always in you, and through Your resurrection, the making of all things new. (spiritual renewal), What day of the week does not count in the 40 days of Lent? Well look at three implications concerning the authority of Christ based on the resurrection. He is the author of twenty-five books in six languages, including the youth ministry titles: $5 Youth Ministry (Group); Last-Minute Meetings (Abingdon); Ready to Go Youth Meetings (Abingdon); and The Youth Ministry Encyclopedia (Kindle). An overview of LifeWay's Easter season services, devotionals, and events As we prepare for Easter and the week leading up to it, we want our entire church family to grow in the understanding of all that the Holy Week and Easter / Resurrection Sunday are, as a focus for our worship. 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. Daily Devotional for Spirit filled living. Jesus physical anguish was very real and His suffering was intense. Before you begin with the quiz, offer the students the opportunity to give up their piece of candy they received after the previous game. We stumble, we become lost, But you are steady and sure. There are many things we could say about him, but first and foremost He is the holy King. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. 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. The religious leaders were questioning Jesus authorization to do what He did. As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! 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! You put me into the dust of death. When the Son returns, we will see that the Fathers timing makes perfect sense, so we watch with confidence in the sovereign control of God. Therefore, the religious leaders couldnt reject John, or the people would turn against them. Christians set apart an entire week - Holy Week - to recall the events surrounding the suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. April 6 at 7 pm. All of Scripture builds to this pivotal week, pointing to the moment when Jesus would bear the weight of humanitys sin. They may not use their hands in any of this. Raised With Christ: Holy Week 2021 Each year, we love to offer a free holy week devotional to our community. This includes God as creator of all nations, all families, and all persons. Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals His glory in the image of a cloud. At Easter, the Son of God took on the worlds sin and defeated the devil, death, and the grave. Mercy River | Holy Week for TEENS 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Things that Will Keep Me from Coming Back to Your Church, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 10 Things You Should Know about the Intermediate State of Death, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children Again. (Matthew 27:62-66). In fact, my kids were off of school all last week because of it. Second, He loves us deeply. Daily Devotions - Take Heart (Daily Devotional) - by Sis Jean George So there are seven daily devotions that focus on the theme and bring you insight, understanding and revelation from the Bible. However, as we noted earlier, Jesus cry on the cross was also a cry of spiritual anguish. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. (Matthew 26:26-29). Have the small group leaders collect the cards, then call, text, or email the students during the week to see how their commitment is going. This offer is available to pastors and ministry leaders (while supplies last). The hundreds of people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David! But once again, Jesus fulfills these expectations in a way the people never could have expected. 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. Luke 2:42. Thank you. Holy Week is a remarkably powerful spiritual week. Holy week, indeed, is a call to friendship with God. 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. Holy week reminds us to seek our redemption beyond the powers of this corrupted world and to discover Gods salvation in the humble path of sacrifice. His soul was stirred into action. In the same way, we ought to use this time of Lent to do some spring cleaning ourselves. Easter Week Devotional - Kids Ministry - Dedicated to helping Kids 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. This text leaves no doubt that the day of Christs return will be evident to all. 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. If they drop any candy, they must take it back to the beginning. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Sermons for Holy Week 2020: New resources for worship, reflections 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). I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. The first player to get all their candy from one bowl to the other is the winner. If your students have limited access to technology and social media, consider emailing these to your students (or to the parents directly if your youth dont have emails either) or drop off printed copies at their homes! The winner gets a piece of candy (or two, if they gave up their candy before the game). We've provided a Palm Sunday lesson for you to use with your youth online and 6 daily devotionals you can send to your students each day next week: Monday - Saturday of Holy Week. By your Passion, you have set us free from eternal death. "You'll find spiritual trail markers in many places friends and families . But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." 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. All history revolves around this scene in Matthew 2627, and all our lives are determined by what we do in response to this scene. This is a day my kids really feel. 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. Yes, I too have seen it. This is the Lords declaration. Amen. Preserve us in your grace; through your mercy, O our God, you are blessed and govern all things, now and forever. Use this devotional to help your students strengthen their spiritual muscles and learn to become more like Jesus. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love And for service. In Jesus name, Amen. How can death give way to life? Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ", And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! Jesus gave up so much to restore our relationship to God (Philippians 2), is it too much to ask of us to give something up for 40 days? When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. In Galatians 2:20 Paul speaks of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Believers should rejoice in Jesus love demonstrated in both His cross and His resurrection. Thats an astounding statement. 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. Holy Week daily devotions - The United Methodist Church The resurrection of Jesus validates everything He said, taught, and told us He came to do. 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. (Excerpt from What Is Maundy Thursday? Jesus coming into the world the cleansing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit our eternal hope. Confess your sin and find mercy in Your Savior, so that you will be ready for His coming. To force their hand, He asked them whether Johns baptism was from heaven or from man (v. 25). They ask a lot of questions and we have some of our best Holy Week discussions on this day. Jesus walked into a similar situation in Matthew 21, and as a holy King, He came to cleanse and to purify Gods temple. The account of the Last Supper also connects Jesus death with the law God gave to His people. Alexis has a Master's degree from Denver Seminary and a Bachelor's degree from Colorado Christian University. Eight brief devotions to download and print encourage families to breathe, read, wonder, and pray together. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Amen. 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. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Help us to stay strong and true to you. This is a week of remembrance, worship, and dedication to what Christ has done. ", And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. How is it that historys most glorious moment is surrounded by fearful fishermen, despised tax collectors, marginalized women, feeble politicians, and traitorous friends? May these devotions to God guide your mind and heart in the days leading to Easter and the glorious Resurrection of Christ! There were, indeed, thousands of people on hand during the Passover (and from all over the Mediterranean landscape); expectations were high. (Sundays). Each of these devotions was written in Spanish. Download our week-long guide to help you walk daily with your children through the Holy Week leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.