Week: Holy Week
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
As usual, we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Lord Jesus, during this special, holy week, we remember that You suffered, died and came back to life again, and You did all of this because of Your great love for us. We look forward to the new things You want to say to us this week.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s great love with one of the most famous verses in the whole of the Bible:
Read by Max
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re continuing to REFLECT on what happened on the day that Jesus died. To hold Jesus on the cross, the Roman soldiers hammered nails through His hands and His feet, and then they stood the cross up so that everyone could see Him hanging there.
Read by Max
Matthew 27:39-42
People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads, saying, ‘You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!’ The leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders were also making fun of Jesus. They said, ‘He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He says he is the king of Israel! If he is the king, let him come down now from the cross. Then we will believe in him.’
Matthew 27:39-42 (NCV)
The religious leaders mocked Jesus, saying ‘He saved others, but he can’t save himself!’ But they were wrong. Jesus, the Son of God, could have leapt off the cross and saved Himself – He could have done anything – but He chose to stay there and save us instead. The nails and the soldiers didn’t keep Jesus on the cross – it was love that kept Him there.
People often do crazy things – and sometimes funny things – because they love someone. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s the craziest or funniest thing we’ve heard that someone has done for someone else, because they love them?
And now, let’s turn our thoughts back to Jesus on the cross for a moment. And let’s remember that He chose to die to save us instead of saving Himself, as we repeat this personal prayer.
Jesus loves me.
Jesus loves me.
Jesus loves me.
Now let’s think about one of our friends, or maybe someone in our family, who doesn’t know Jesus for themselves yet.
Lord Jesus, we pray for this friend right now. We ASK You to show them how much You love them, just like You’ve shown us.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Matthew 27:39-42
People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads, saying, ‘You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!’ The leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders were also making fun of Jesus. They said, ‘He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He says he is the king of Israel! If he is the king, let him come down now from the cross. Then we will believe in him.’
Matthew 27:39-42 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding us that being a Christian is all about being loved by You. And then it’s about loving You back, and loving others with the love that You give too. We say YES to all this love!
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, daughter and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
