Passion Week: Day 1

 We have been talking about spiritual disciplines, particularly prayer. This week, we will continue with our working on prayer, but also the reading of the Word each day with and to our children.  

    One of the reasons I love celebrating Palm Sunday with my children is that it is a picture to them (and to me) of Revelation 7:9-10. One day, we will once again raise palm branches and with full understanding praise God with loud voices!

      "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”


  I will have readings from some children's Bibles on certain days, as well as readings from the text. Please read to your children (no matter how young) from the actual text of Scripture. God's Word is powerful and can work in their lives. I am an eyewitness to this in my own children's lives! Even if you have to break up the readings, let them hear and see these beautiful words.

     So much can distract us this week - good things - family, activities, food, parades, crafts, even preparing for church with rehearsals... No matter what you do or do not celebrate during this holy week, remember Jesus. Make Scripture a priority each day. We show our children what is important by the time and energy we spend. What do you want them to remember for eternity?

     There are several activities you can do with your children this week. I will post some ideas for you. We will be using our felt banner from last year and will be making a symbol to remember the story for each day.

     If you can, make sure you take time for all the readings. Luke offers a particularly interesting perspective Jesus' triumphal entry also being tragic. We see Him weeping over Jerusalem.

Reading: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-46: John 12:12-19

The Biggest Story: Chapter 1 (17-29)

Memory passage: Matthew 28:1-10 - I am going to begin reviewing the Resurrection passage with my children. We learned the story from Matthew, but you could also work any of the other Gospels. 

Memory verse: John 12:13

Songs for meditation: So many to pick from today. We are going to sing many of these and focus on Jesus as our King. Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, All Glory Laud and Honor, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, Crown Him with many Crowns, and Rejoice the Lord is King (a different tune, but beautiful!)

Activity: Make a felt banner like this one, or just make a palm branch and donkey and put it up on the wall. This is a Catholic site (fyi) but for you who might want to do hand prints for each day, these are good. Coloring pages that might be good for your little ones. These are just a few things. There are many wonderful ideas out there! 

Meditation: Revelation 17:14

Another thing you could do this week is to go through the "I Am" statements in John with your children each day. This is what I plan on doing with my children this year. You can read the narrative surrounding each of the statements and tie in what each statement means for us now and for eternity. It is a great springboard to the Gospel for your children. 

Monday - 1. I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48, 51)