Holy Week allows us an opportunity to reflect upon the shift in Jesus’ life as He moves toward His sacrifice on the cross. Holy Week includes Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday, and ends on Easter Sunday with His resurrection. Each day of Holy Week allows us to see into the heart of our Savior. We can see that His love for us is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, and His resurrection.
In this simple devotional resource, we want to invite you and your family to follow the journey of Jesus from His triumphal entry to Jerusalem, His final lessons with His disciples, His broken heart in the garden, the ultimate betrayal, His death on the cross, and His ultimate resurrection. This story is the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy and is the foundation of Christianity.
Each Gospel has a narrative of the last week of Jesus’ life (Matthew 21-28; Mark 11-16; Luke 19-24; John 12-21). We recommend reading each of them this week, noticing the differences based on the storyteller’s perspective.
As you progress through Holy Week, we encourage you to stop and take a few minutes to look back at Old Testament prophecies, as well as the New Testament Gospel narrative. Because children experience these things in different ways, we have provided you with visual cues, activities, and storytelling tips to guide your family through this special time. There are also conversation prompts to get your family discussions started.
Our prayer is that you and your family will experience a special blessing as you journey through this week together.
Blessings to you and your family
Palm Sunday
- Gospel Narrative—Matthew 21:9
- Visual Cue—Palm Branches
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm 118:25-26—“Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!” more popularly recognizes as “Hosanna! Hosanna!”
Explanation for Children—Palm branches symbolize triumph or victory. The word hosanna originated from the word save. The Jewish people had waited approximately 500 years since Zechariah’s prophecy for their King to come riding in on a donkey. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowd waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna! to celebrate the arrival of their King who had come to save them.
Family Conversation Prompt—In the prophecy from Zechariah, what do you think is the best thing about the promised King? That He is gentle? That He does what is right? That He saves? Does Jesus match this description? What do you think it takes to be a good king? Why is Jesus a good king? (Look to Zechariah for clues.)
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples
- Gospel Narrative—John 13:2–5
- Visual Cue—Hand Towel & Large Bowl of Water
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Proverbs 29:23; Matthew 20:28—Jesus came to serve!
Explanation for Children—Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet. He wants His disciples to know how much He loves them. As you hold this hand towel, imagine Jesus loving you by kneeling down to wash and dry your feet.
Family Conversation Prompt—You can wash your family’s feet or describe how it might be done. Do you think Jesus was embarrassed to get on the floor and wash His friends’ dirty feet? Why would He do that? Are you willing to wash the feet of your family members or perform some other act of service? What are some acts of service you can do for others?
The Breaking of Bread
- Gospel Narrative—Luke 22:14–20
- Visual Cue—A Piece of Bread
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Jeremiah 31:31–32—A covenant the Lord has made for you.
Explanation for Children—Jesus gave His disciples bread and wine as pictures of His body, which was going to die for them. As you eat the bread, picture sitting at the table with Jesus at this special holiday meal as He shares, “This is my body, broken for you.” He wants His disciples, His closest friends, to understand why He had to die.
Family Conversation Prompt – What did Jesus say the bread was like? What did Jesus say the red wine was? What do you think the disciples thought about Jesus talking about dying? What would you think if your good friend said he was going to die for you? Why did Jesus die?
The Garden
- Gospel Narrative—Luke 22:39–46; Mark 14:32–42
- Visual Cue—Piece of an Olive Branch
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Isaiah 53:2–6; He was despised and rejected by men.
Explanation to Children—Jesus talked to God, His Father, in the Garden of Gethsemane that night. It was a garden twisted with olive trees and large boulders. We see a Man falling on the ground, face stained with tears and dirt, His heart broken with grief. An angel of the Lord appeared to Him to strengthen Him. As you hold the branch, remember that you can talk to God at any time about anything.
Family Conversation Prompt—What do you think Jesus said to His Father that night? What would you say to God if you felt all alone and had to do something very hard? Can you think of a time when you have needed God’s encouragement and strength?
The Betrayal
- Gospel Narrative—Matthew 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–54
- Visual Cue—Chocolate Coins
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Isaiah 53:7; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
Explanation to Children—One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas, made an agreement to lead soldiers to Jesus for 30 silver coins (Matthew 25:14-15). Judas said, “the one I kiss is the man.” (Matthew 26:48). Jesus greeted Judas when he and the soldiers and religious leaders entered the garden and called him friend. As you hold the chocolate coins, think about how sad it was that Judas betrayed his friend, Jesus, for money.
Family Conversation Prompt—What does the word betrayal mean? Why would Judas betray his teacher? How do you think Jesus felt about Judas? Why didn’t Jesus resist His arrest?
The Cross
- Gospel Narrative—Mark 15:16–39; Luke 22:47-54
- Visual Cue—A Small Wooden Cross
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Joel 2:28-32—His blood will spill and the sun will turn to darkness.
Explanation for Children—Jesus allowed Himself to be taken to the cross. 1 Peter 2:23 explains that Jesus did not retaliate or make threats against those who accused Him or nailed Him to the cross. Instead, He asked His father to forgive them (Luke 23:34). This is His example for you—He wants to forgive you of your sin, just as He forgave those who took Him to the cross.
Family Conversation Prompt—How do you feel about what Jesus did for you on the cross? How does it feel to know God forgives your sins? What do you want to say to God about your sin and forgiveness?
The Resurrection
- Gospel Narrative—Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24: 1-12
- Visual Cue—Empty Easter Egg
- Fulfillment of Prophecy—Job 19:23–27; I know my redeemer lives.
Explanation to Children—Without the resurrection, the Gospel story would not be complete. Jesus had told His disciples that He would overcome death. Was Jesus gone, or was He alive? The women who visited the tomb initially were worried that His body had been stolen. But Jesus meets them and reminds them of His love, and they worshipped Him. Jesus later appeared to His disciples, showing them that He overcame death. Our Redeemer lives!
Family Conversation Prompt—What does it mean that Jesus overcame death? Imagine going to the grave and finding it empty. What would you think? Who would be the first person you would tell about Jesus’ resurrection? What would you say to God when you found out that Jesus was alive again? What kind of dance would you do?
Note: This text was adapted from the Journey to the Cross Children’s Worship Experience written by Barbara Deatherage, Elementary Ministry Leader at Stonebriar Community Church.
