Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Walking Through Holy Week With Children

With children, it is easy to celebrate the happy parts of Holy Week - the beginning (Palm Sunday) and the end (Easter). The middle parts of the story are difficult, but it is important that we don't just "skim over" the hard part with our children. So, as we prepare for Holy Week next, here are some daily ideas to use at home that I have shared with families in our congregation. 

  • Palm Sunday -
    •  Participate in the church palm processional! Read John 12:12-19 and wave your palms just as the people of Jerusalem did.
    • Read Matthew's account of Jesus entering Jerusalem in chapter 21, verses 1-10. It says that the crowd put their cloaks on the road as Jesus came. Since Palm Sunday and Easter are close to Spring, think about the cloaks (coats) you may not need anymore. Pull them out of the closet, spread them on the ground and read this verse again. Then, Fold them up and take them to a donation site where people can use them when winter comes around again. 
  • Monday - 
    • Use Resurrection eggs! You can purchase a full dozen online or at Christian bookstores or you can make your own set! Here's one option: https://www.faithgateway.com/making-resurrection-eggs-easter-story/#.XK4knP1Kjcs (HINT: you don't have to make all 12 - for younger children, especially, you can make just 6). **If you purchase the full dozen, be aware that they are "intense" and include items such as the whip and the nails. Especially for long children, I suggest creating your own, more kid-friendly set. 
    • Read John 2:13-17 and/or Matthew 21:12-13. In this passage, Jesus was upset that people were using the temple as a market place instead of as a place to pray. Do you have a "spare change" container in your home? Dump it out, count the change, and decide as a family, how much of it you can put in the offering plate on Easter Sunday. Pray the following prayer together:
  • Tuesday - 
    • Read John 12:35-36. Jesus speaks about "the light," so have some fun with light today! Build a fort and have some flashlight wars. Go outside and look at the stars. Eat dinner by only candlelight. Is there a room in your house that is totally dark when you turn out the lights? How does that feel? Use one of these ideas or find some fun light games on on your own! 
    • Read Matthew 21:34-40. This is a familiar verse about the greatest commandment - to love your neighbor as yourself. Talk about what it means to be a neighbor. Who are your neighbors? What does it mean to love your neighbors? Have your kids ever watched Mr. Rogers? Here's a great episode that talk about love. How can you show love today?

  • Wednesday - 
    • Read Luke 22:7-23 - Did you know that, in some faiths and countries, it is tradition to clean your house on the Wednesday of Holy Week in order to prepare for the Passover meal? Talk about how your family prepares for special events, how the disciples might have prepared for Passover with Jesus, and, maybe do an extra chore or two! 
    • Jellybeans! These sweet treats are an Easter icon, but did you know you can use them to teach about Holy Week? Share some jellybeans as you read and discuss the jellybean prayer. Maybe even make a jellybean treat bag or two for someone special! (Be sure to include the prayer.)
  • Maundy Thursday - 
    • Read John 13:1-20 and try washing each other's feet! How does it feel? Why do you think Jesus washed his disciples feet?
    • Eat a special meal together like Jesus did with his Disciples. Try a meal in which the main course is fish. Then, have some hot cross buns for dessert. Eating fish is a tradition that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made when he did on the cross and the cross on hot cross buns is also a reminder of the symbol of the cross. Or, just eat together around a table and read the scripture as you think about what Jesus and his disciples must have been feeling at their last supper together. 
  • Good Friday - 
    • Read John 19:17-25- Do you have a cross in your home anywhere? If so, look at ti and talk about it. Where did it come from? If not, consider purchasing one and hanging it up together. Another option is to make some crosses on your own! Check out these cross crafts!
    • Read Luke 23:26-49 - Good Friday is a somber day. In church services on Good Friday, often the lights are dimmed throughout the service and people exit the worship space in silence. This can be a bit much for young children to take in, but they can do it in small doses! After reading the scripture, talk about how people who loved Jesus would have been feeling (super sad!). Turn the lights low, light a single candle, and try sitting in silence for a short time (maybe 2-5 minutes depending on the age of the children). 
  • Saturday - 
    • Read John 19:38-42 - Take a walk outside and look around for sign of new life. Pick some flowers to bring to church for the cross on Easter Sunday! 
    • Read Matthew 27:62-66 - Make some resurrection rolls! Grab a can crescent roll dough. Wrap each  dough triangle around a marshmallow and roll it in some cinnamon sugar. Then, pop them in a muffin tin and bake! When you take them out to eat, where did the marshmallow go? How does this symbolize Jesus in the tomb? (Here's a more specific recipe, if needed.)

Other ideas:

Pray daily - Praying daily is always a wonderful practice! For daily prayers during Holy Week, try THESE or make up your own.

Easter Egg Hunt - Children often participate in multiple egg hunts around the time of Easter. It can sometimes be difficult to tie in this secular practice with our faith. Here are some suggestions to point out to children when we participate in egg hunts. 

    • The egg can symbolize the tomb. Jesus was supposed to be inside, but when the women went to visit they got a big surprise (he was gone) just like the surprises inside the eggs we find. 
    • Eggs are also a symbol of new life. Jesus got new life after he died and, through His death and resurrection, we get new life, too. 

Books - Books are always a great way for children to learn. Some great eAster books are:



 Also, check out this Lego Journey through Holy Week! Such neat idea! 

 I hope you find these ideas helpful as you journey through Holy Week with the children in your life. If you have other great ideas, please share them in the comments below! I would love to hear what has worked for you! 
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