Happy Tuesday, KidVenture Kids and families! I hope you are continuing to dig into God’s word this week. Here are a few things to help you do that.
This Week In KidVenture
This week, we will check out Matthew 21:1-11, the story of Jesus coming triumphantly into Jerusalem. This took place about a week before Easter. In this story we learn that Jesus was fulfilling the words of the prophets of the Old Testament because he truly is the Messiah!
Here is a printable reading plan for the week, with questions and a verse of the week to help us dig into the story.
And here is another printable prayer reminder.
Don’t forget, when we are able to come back to KidVenture, your kids can get a KidVenture buck for each day of each weekly prayer reminder or KidVenture reading plan they fill out.
Resources
This week is Holy Week! For many churches, the week before Easter is full of reminders of things Jesus did during the week leading up to his death on the cross. Our church is hosting virtual devotions each night this week at 7 p.m., with communion on Thursday (bring your own bread and juice!), and an online service on Friday. There are dozens of ideas for how to make this a special week with your family. Here are a few other things for you to think about as you celebrate Holy Week:
Maundy Thursday
The Thursday before Easter, we often remember what happened during Jesus’ last night with his disciples. Many people remember Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17) by washing each other’s feet. Some people remember Jesus’ act of service by serving others. Whether you wash each other’s feet, or find ways everyone can help each other clean up around the house and in the yard, remember that showing our love by serving others was the last lesson Jesus taught his disciples.
Good Friday
This is the day we remember Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus knew that the crucifixion he was going to endure would be painful, brutal, and cruel. But the night he was arrested he still prayed that God’s will would be done (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus was willing to do whatever God asked of him so that our sins would be paid for and forgiven. As you remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, consider creating a prayer garden for the evening. You can bring plants (fake or real) from around the house, or find a quiet place in the yard. Spend some time asking God to forgive each of you for your sins, things you’ve done your way instead of God’s way. You can even take paper and pens to your garden and let each person in your family write out the things each of you needs to ask forgiveness for. You can make a simple cross out of twigs or cardboard, and stick your papers to the cross as a reminder that our sins have been nailed to the cross, and we don’t have to carry them around anymore.
Holy Saturday
The Saturday before Easter is a time of waiting—a time when we remember that Jesus was at work, even when it seemed like things were dark. Right now, it might feel like we are living under the shadow of the coronavirus. For Jesus’ disciples, they probably felt an even darker shadow surrounding them. But we know there is hope, even in dark times.
To remember this, you can take a shadow picture. You can each choose a word that reminds you of the hope we have in Jesus, such as love, hope, or forgiven. Draw the word in bubble letters on poster board or cardboard, and cut it out. Then stand in front of a bright light holding the poster to create a shadow. Take a photo of your shadow and see how the light shines through. Share your photo with friends and family you can’t be with right now, to remind them of the hope we can have in Jesus.
Before you go to bed, be sure to check out Kristen’s Easter Cookies. If meringues make you nervous, another messier but easy option is Empty Tomb Rolls.
I hope these ideas help make your time together for Holy Week a meaningful reminder of all Jesus has done for each of us.
I am praying for you!