Spiritual Emphasis Week Daily Classroom Devotionals and themes
Monday, April 10: Jesus Rides in on a Donkey Theme/Emphasis/imagery Jesus riding into Jerusalem, the people are shouting Hosanna Hosanna means save now ; the people are expecting Jesus to free them from oppression from the Romans Palm branches, Jesus coming in on a donkey, people laying down their coats Scripture Matthew 21:6-11
Monday, April 10: Jesus Rides in on a Donkey Activity/Lesson Ideas Something involving palm branches, such as making them out of construction paper, or a coloring activity Hosanna it s one of the words we sing in praise to God; literally it means we are asking God to save us Palm branch wavers activity: http://www.ldsdaily.com/home-and-family/7- easter-activities-to-honor-the-last-week-of-christs-life/
Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV) 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? 11 The crowds answered, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.
Monday, April 10: Jesus Rides in on a Donkey Questions for discussion/reflection: 1) How do you think you would respond to Jesus riding in a donkey if you were in that crowd? 2) Why do you think that the people are waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna? 3) Hosanna means save now. What has Jesus already saved you from? What do you need God to save you from in your life now?
Monday, April 10: Jesus Rides in on a Donkey
Tuesday, April 11:Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane Theme/Emphasis/images Prayer, worship, humbling oneself (Sandra Shen performance in chapel) We surrender to God s desires for our lives, to do what He wants instead of what we want Because Jesus prayed in the garden, he was prepared to face his trial and crucifixion. Cup Jesus asked that God would take this cup from me ; meaning asking God to not put him through the trial and crucifixion that s coming Scripture Mark 14:26,32-42
Tuesday, April 11:Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane Activity/Lesson Ideas Discussion/lesson on prayer, God s will or direction for our lives Have students write and draw prayers, asking God to reveal to them what He desires for their lives Students could write a letter to themselves, to be opened and read to them in 6 months or a year later. Teachers could mail them at the appropriate time Cup lesson/activity around this, the cup representing God s plan for our lives (coloring activity, make a cup out of construction paper). A skit in the garden scene, where Jesus is praying but the disciples are sleeping This prayer activity looks good!: http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/04/gethsemane-play-doughmat-your-will-be.html Take a look at any of the Psalms from 113-118 as songs of praise to God
Tuesday, April 11:Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane Questions for discussion/reflection: 1) Why do we sing songs to God? What does it mean to praise God? 2) Why do you think it is important to pray to God? 3) Have you ever prayed to God when you get nervous or scared about something? What was it you asked God to help you with which scared you? Teachers: take the time to share a story of the power of prayer in your own life.
Mark 14:26,32-42 (NIV) 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray. 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch. 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
Mark 14:26,32-42 (NIV) 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Couldn t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Tuesday, April 11:Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
Wednesday, April 12: Jesus Crucifixion Theme/Emphasis/images Forgiveness: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do Dividing/tearing up of Jesus clothes Wine vinegar what is offered up to Jesus to drink Darkness covering the land during the daytime Curtain of the temple is torn in two Scripture Luke 23:32-34, 35-37, 44-46, 47-59
Wednesday, April 12: Jesus Crucifixion Activity/Lesson Ideas Curtain/cloth that is torn for students to make, write portions of the scripture on, paint things on, etc. There is a free picture slideshow telling the story of Jesus crucifixion here. https://missionbibleclass.org/1b0-new-testament/new-testament-part- 1/life-of-christ-late/jesus-is-crucified/ Don t worry, it is not gruesome Word-search on a cross activity: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33565959697182469/
Wednesday, April 12: Jesus Crucifixion Questions for discussion/reflection: 1) What does forgiveness mean? Is it easy to forgive someone or hard? 2) What do you think Jesus means when he says, Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing? 3) Why does God want us to forgive others, even though they have hurt us? Teachers: Talk about how you have experienced God s forgiveness in your life, or how God gave you the ability to forgive someone when you could not do so yourself.
Luke 23:32-34, 35-37, 44-46, 47-59 (NIV) Luke 23:32-34 New International Version (NIV) 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:32-34, 35-37, 44-46, 47-59 (NIV) 35-37 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, He saved others; let him save himself if he is God s Messiah, the Chosen One. 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.
Luke 23:32-34, 35-37, 44-46, 47-59 (NIV) 44-46 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:32-34, 35-37, 44-46, 47-59 (NIV) 47-49 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, Surely this was a righteous man. 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Wednesday, April 12: Jesus Crucifixion
Thursday, April 13: Jesus Resurrection Theme/Emphasis/images Earthquake empty tomb with stone rolled away Angels clothed in white Women coming to see Jesus; them later telling the disciples Peter rushing to go see the empty tomb The linen scraps lying where Jesus body was Scripture Matthew 28:1-10/Luke 24:1-12
Thursday, April 13: Jesus Resurrection Activity/Lesson Ideas Strips of cloth which students can write on, decorate, paint, etc. An empty tomb with a stone that you can roll away. Here are some pinterest ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33565959697465976/
Thursday, April 13: Jesus Resurrection Questions for discussion/reflection 1) How was Jesus able to come back from the dead? 2) What did Jesus tell the women to go do? Why? Who goes to the tomb after the women tell them about it? 3) What if you saw and experienced what the women who see Jesus alive? How would you respond? What would you think?
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) 5 The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. Greetings, he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.
Luke 24:1-12 (NIV) 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
Luke 24:1-12 (NIV) 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. 8 Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:1-12 (NIV) 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Thursday, April 13: Jesus Resurrection