But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! How different this will be from His first coming! Holy Week recounts the final days of Jesus' life including his death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 26:6-13), Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" (Daniel 7:13-14). Taking turns, players will stand or squat on the side of the table opposite the markers. What happened on the cross was so much more than a naked man dying on a wooden post on the side of the road in a non-descript part of the world. In the 21st century, this level of devotion to an image of a boy Jesus is unique to the Philippines.1 In Cebu, devotion to the Santo Nio reaches a fever pitch early in January, when crowds flock to the basilica that houses it, and the city and its harbor are taken over for days by processions, colorful parades and other celebrations. In the bowls on one table place five to ten cotton balls, and on the rim put a glob of petroleum jelly. As a volunteer in my small rural church, I have no budget for curriculum. Stop toying with sin and pursue the One who died to set you free from it. CRS Rice Bowl Activities for Grades 1-8 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" He is our substitute sacrifice, and He has died the death we deserved to die. The cry on the cross is. Easter Sunday. 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. He walked into a scene where people were bustling in the outer court of the temple, known also as the court of the Gentiles, a place for the nations to meet with God in worship, praise, and prayer. Using Matthew's Gospel as its source, we see Jesus as teacher, healer, comforter, and Savior. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (Sundays). And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" Their professed agnosticismWe dont knowin verse 27 was simply a smoke screen. Several Clio Area Churches from Mission Zone 7 in the East Winds District of the Michigan Annual Conference joined together to produce a video devotional for Holy Week 2021 for our congregations. ), Slaves, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. We've compiled five 10 minute sermons for you to use with your youth ministry! As He came under the sentence of sin, Jesus was cut off from the Fathers favorable presence. 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. Just as surely as He came the first time in humility to provide salvation, so He will come the second time in glory to execute judgment. Devotional on "Authentic community" This first devotion for youth comes from I Am A Disciple, a 40-Day Student Discipleship Journal. Holy Week Timeline 2023. 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. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love And for service. This post and resource was originally published on Apr 3, 2020, and has been revised and updated for continual application. In a very real sense, we keep our eyes on the sky and our hearts prepared, even though we dont know the exact timing of His coming. 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). Jesus walked into a similar situation in Matthew 21, and as a holy King, He came to cleanse and to purify Gods temple. Many people know that Jesus died, but they dont know why. Downloadable compilation and podcast available now. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. In the same way, we ought to use this time of Lent to do some spring cleaning ourselves. Post the social media graphics and copy and paste the full devotional into the comments/post. Christian Schools Reflections Two minutes. (John 10:18). One features a New Testament chapter each day. Feast of the Santo Nio and Sinulog, Cebu, Philippines, 2018. Following Christ is difficult because we still areasking these same questions in our time but in a different context. In the midst of these signs, from generation to generation, followers of Christ are called to wait patiently. It was a pillar of cloud that led Gods people in the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 13:21). This is what Daniel prophesied centuries before: And I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. Following Jesus description of His second coming in verses 29-31, He tells the parable of the fig tree in verses 32-33. 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. Beginning on Palm Sunday and going until Easter morning, we will publish a meaningful and thoughtful devotion for each day of Holy Week. Chris Mixer, The Greatest Thing You Can Do For Your Man Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ! Gods people were offering worship in Jeremiahs day, yet they did not behave in obedience to God. Third, Christs authority over us means that He will judge us eternally. 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). 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). Holy Week. The Angelic Perspective on Easter. Jesus responded to the questions of the chief priests and the elders by posing a question of His own. . You put me into the dust of death. The winner is the first to get all their cotton balls from one bowl to the other. 1. . Confess your sin and find mercy in Your Savior, so that you will be ready for His coming. Do you see now why the cross is so significant? 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? Download free creative youth group lessons that will engage and interest your teenagers. Daily devotions are modified from Exalting Jesus in Matthew from the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series, by David Platt. It is only in Christ Jesus that we can boast. Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals His glory in the image of a cloud. At the close of a worldwide devotional broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 29, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assured youth that wherever they are, the Lord gives them spiritual trail markers to manifest His love and guide their path. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. 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. Holy means "set apart.". Who does He think He is? My family was one of those who turned out on the streets, too. 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. This is intended to be used as a daily devotion for families as they prepare to celebrate Easter. If you are an unbeliever, turn from sin and trust in Christ. The winner gets a piece of candy (or two, if they gave up their candy before the game). Before the game, offer students the chance to give up one piece of candy for the chance to get two pieces if they win the game. The Holy week in lockdown. (Matthew 26:14-16). These questions often come from misplaced fear, which is what we see in verse 26. To be a friend of Jesus is to be a revolutionary. Scripture says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Help us to hope always in you, and through Your resurrection, the making of all things new. Is He in charge of this place? When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Jesus is Lord over your life. Devotional Tools for Holy Week. Matthew gives us a flashback to Jesus being anointed at Bethany and Judas starting his plot to betray Him. The resurrection of Jesus validates everything He said, taught, and told us He came to do. Holy Week Devotional - A Resurrection Faith. 2. Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Devotional Readings for Holy Week by John Piper Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, ends on Easter Sunday, and aims to focus our attention on Jesus as he displays his love to the uttermost (John 13:1). Find a devotional reading with related scriptures and prayers for each day of Holy Week. He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. 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. Our salvation is not because we've done any good works, but it's because of God's gracean expression of God's kindness. For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Consider the authority Jesus demonstrates Jesus had made clear in Matthew 12:6 that He is greater than the temple. Provide time and space for young people to be immersed in a quiet Sabbath time and space. It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. The intention of these Passion week devotions is to help you create space in your heart and mind for God to meet you and take you deeper in your walk with Him. Follow directions to fold your palms from Palm Sunday into a cross or another decorative shape. Excerpts from Exalting Jesus in Matthew from the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. Before the game, ask participants if they want to give up one piece of candy for the chance at winning two pieces in this game. 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. 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. 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. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when righteousness and peace will kiss each other. The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where Gods demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. At the age of 12 the Holy Spirit was abiding upon Jesus, and He felt something of the burden of the mission for which He had come to our world. You can also send out the devotionals in a group text or app and ask students to respond with their completed Challenge!! After the smoke cleared, all that was left were the witnessesHis friends. Your role as a youth ministry leader is vitally important because you have the privilege of pointing students to Jesus. Amen. Psalm 104:3 says that God makes the clouds His chariot, and Isaiah 19:1 depicts the Lord riding on a swift cloud. The picture we get in Matthew 24 is of the glory of God revealed in the glorious Son of God, who will come on the clouds in power to execute judgment. 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. DECATUR, Georgia "May God grant you the perfect darkness that you may find rest that soothes your creaking soul," writes the Rev. Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. That day will be a day of judgment, and all who are not ready for that daythat is, those who have refused to turn from their sin and to trust in Christ as Savior and Kingwill come face to face with the Holy One whom they have rejected. This entrance into Gods presence is why, right after Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). The realities of tribulation, deception, temptation, and persecution create anticipation. ", 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! Holy week, indeed, is a call to friendship with God. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. After His death, Jesus rose from the grave, not only in victory over death, but in victory over sin. Christ is with you this week and every week. So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Gods presence was real at the cross, but it was His presence in judgment and wrath toward sin. Jesus physical anguish was very real and His suffering was intense. So what does it mean for Jesus to have absolute authority over you and me? The above devotional is an adaptation of an original selection from The Gift of the Cross: Celebrating Christ Through Holy Week which is available for purchase on Amazon or from Brandon Helder's website.Though this book can be read independently, it is intended to be used in conjunction with the Resurrection Block Set available for purchase separately from Worship Wood Works. Over one fourth of the book of Matthew is devoted to the last week before Jesus death. They essentially asked, Is it from God or from man? Today people still wonder whether Christianity is from God or whether it is just another man-made religion. What Is Palm Sunday? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. Christ's death on our behalf is the reason God can forgive us and still be just. We asked laity from each participating church to answer the question . (Jeremiah 7:9-11). But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? Then, at the end of the book of Exodus, Gods glory was revealed in a cloud that covered the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). These sermons will encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don't know Christ, understand that worship is . One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. They dont know why the cross is the centerpiece of all history and the determinant of our eternity; but you do! Help us to trust in you like little children. Passion Week also helps illuminate what God has to teach us through this very historical moment in time. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. Shelli Latham, the president of Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation for d365.org, an online youth-centered devotional."May God grant you the perfect light that you may see clearly the truths of your life and the path the Spirit lays before you . 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. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. 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!