Making Time for Holy Week
In some ways, Holy Week is like a yellow stoplight. Though our inclination might be to speed through when we see yellow, the light’s purpose is for us to slow our roll and look around. In the same way, Holy Week invites us to slow down and pay attention. Life moves quickly, but the final days of Jesus’ life are not meant to be rushed past—they’re meant to be seen, remembered, and wrestled with. Whether you’re a family gathered around a table with others or taking a quiet moment alone, these short passages and questions are meant to help you engage the story honestly. No need for polished answers—just a willingness to listen, reflect, and consider what Christ’s journey to the cross means and why we take the time to celebrate it.
Maundy Thursday
Big Idea: Jesus teaches us how to love.
Read John 13:31-35.
Christians call today Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from a Latin word meaning 'commandment'. What new commandment was Jesus giving His disciples (and us)?
Even though He would be resurrected, Jesus knew that He would die soon and that His relationship with His disciples would change. At the beginning of chapter 13, we see Jesus wash the disciples’ feet. Why do you think He took the time to serve His friends before He went to the cross? What can we learn from this about how Jesus wants us to love each other?
The other three Gospels record Jesus’ last supper with His disciples on this same night (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23). When we celebrate communion, we remember Christ’s sacrifice. Is communion the only way to remember His sacrifice? How can we remember the importance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as we do normal things this week?
Good Friday
Big Idea: Jesus teaches us to be gracious.
Read Luke 23:32-46
When we break rules, there are often consequences. Did Jesus deserve to be punished? Why do you think the Romans punished Him so harshly? Why do you think He let Himself be crucified?
If your Bible has red letters for Jesus’ words, you might notice that Jesus doesn’t say much. By this point, He has endured unimaginable suffering and is no doubt exhausted. Still, He speaks twice in this passage (vv 34 & 43). What do these two moments tell us about the way Jesus loves people?
What does the word grace mean? A good way to think about God’s grace is that He loves sinners even though we don’t deserve His love. How does Jesus show grace while He is on the cross?
Jesus tells one of the thieves that he will be with Jesus after he dies. Why do you think He says that? Is that surprising? Why or why not? This may be a good time to review Ephesians 2:8-10.
Holy Saturday
Big Idea: Jesus spent three days in a tomb.
Read Mark 15:42-47
The Joseph mentioned here is not the man who raised Jesus. He is a different Joseph, mentioned only when the Gospels talk about Jesus’ burial. What do you think it means that he was “looking for the kingdom of God” (v 43 ESV) or “waiting for God’s kingdom” (v 43 NIRV)? Should we look for God’s kingdom, too? This might be a good time to review Matthew 6:33.
The Joseph mentioned here was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council that called for Jesus to be killed. Verse 43 says that Joseph “took courage” (ESV) before asking to bury Jesus’ body. Why do you think he needed to be brave to ask this question? Does following Jesus sometimes mean that we have to be brave?
The Gospels list more than five people who saw where Jesus was buried. Why do you think it was important to the writers to include that information? What did the writers know that the people who saw Jesus buried didn’t yet know?
Easter Sunday
Big Idea: Jesus is alive!
Read Matthew 28:1-10
There will be plenty of opportunities to engage with questions from the church service today or with traditions your family may have. All of our celebration this week centers on this: why is it so important that Jesus is alive? How would history be different if He had not risen? How would my life be different? May these truths draw our hearts to worship!
