Each day of Holy Week is an opportunity to celebrate together as a family. This year, consider following a simple pattern: reading the Scriptures, discussing the passages, engaging in a memorable activity, and praying together. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Jesus all week long.
1. Palm Sunday Tree Planting Celebration
Read
Matthew 21:7-9: “They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!’”
Discuss
Talk about the importance of the colt and how Jesus knew it would be there waiting for Him. Imagine His ride into Jerusalem as people laid their coats and palm branches on the road. Explain the significance of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Engage
Plant a palm tree (either indoors or outdoors) as a reminder of the palm branches used to line the path as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Consider hardy plant varieties such as the Windmill Palm, Blue Mediterranean Palm, and Mazari Palm, which can tolerate colder temperatures.
Pray
Lord Jesus, blessed be Your name - the name above all names. We praise You today and remember your journey into Jerusalem as the people shouted, “Hosanna in the highest!” Help us carve out time to worship You this week in preparation for resurrection Sunday. In Your holy name, we pray, amen.
2. Holy Monday Donation Celebration
Read
Matthew 21:12-13: “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Discuss
The way Jesus cleared the temple might sound frightening to some, but it’s important to emphasize that He displayed righteous anger without sinning. Discuss the zeal Jesus had for His Father’s house and how He couldn’t allow anything to defile it. Let this be a springboard to talk about things we sometimes need to get rid of, such as negative television shows, inappropriate music, and toxic social media influences.
Engage
Have a 30-minute “clearing out” party by setting a timer and having each family member fill a box with things they no longer need. Take these items to a local donation center, then treat the family to ice cream. Point out how good it feels to eliminate things that no longer serve a purpose and only clutter our spaces.
Pray
Jesus, thank You for Your example of standing up for what is right. Help us learn from your example and always defend Your truth. Show us the things that don’t belong in our lives and help us give up what no longer benefits us. In Your mighty name, we pray, amen.
3. Holy Tuesday Celebration of the Greatest Commandments
Read
Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Discuss
Discuss examples of what it looks like to obey these commandments, such as putting others first, displaying the fruit of the Spirit, and doing everything from a heart of love. This might be one of your most important discussions with your family!
Engage
Brainstorm ways to serve someone else and plan how you will bless them. Take a basket of fruit to a neighbor, surprise a friend with a meal, or hand out $5 gift cards to strangers. By engaging your family in practical ways of living out the two greatest commandments, you’ll hopefully establish a life-long desire to serve God and others.
Pray
Lord, thank You for the opportunity to love You in action. Help us to have hearts to serve others and to love them as we love ourselves. We want to obey the commandments You taught and submit everything to Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
4. Spy Wednesday Celebration with a Gift Exchange
Read
Matthew 26:6-13: “A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Discuss
Talk about the woman’s lavish gift and her role in preparing Jesus for his burial. Let this be a discussion about having a generous heart and willingness to give. Discuss how the disciples treated the woman and their perspective on worldly things instead of treasures in heaven.
Engage
Host a gift exchange in honor of the woman who readily gave her gift to Jesus. Instead of store-bought gifts, consider exchanging things you already own that are important to you and might be a sacrifice to give up. Let each family member explain why they are giving away their favorite possession in remembrance of the alabaster jar.
Pray
Jesus, please help us to have giving hearts and not hold anything back. Show us how to store treasures in heaven by serving you and others. Thank You for the example of the woman with the jar of perfume. We remember her today, in Your name, amen.
5. Maundy Thursday Family Communion Celebration
Read
Matthew 26: 26-30: Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Discuss
Talk about communion and the symbolism of the bread and wine as Jesus’ body and blood. Discuss how communion isn’t reserved only for church services but can be practiced within your own family as a time of repentance and remembrance. Openly talk about what Jesus meant when He said, “I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Engage
Participate in a family celebration of communion and worship. Set the tone by lighting a few candles, setting out pieces of bread and cups of grape juice, and playing soft worship music in the background. Perhaps, this can become a weekly practice for your family as you center your lives on Jesus.
Pray
Lord God, help us understand the meaning of communion as a time to remember what You’ve done for us. Let it not become a ritual but a heartfelt remembrance of Your ultimate sacrifice. In Your precious name, we pray, amen.
6. Good Friday Passion of The Christ Celebration
Read
Matthew 27:45-50: From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Discuss
Discuss why this day is referred to as Good Friday when it was the day of Jesus’ death. If you’re led, talk about how Jesus felt forsaken by His Father and how the sins He bore on the cross caused God to look away.
Engage
Watch The Passion of the Christ as a family and be reminded of the true sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us.
Pray
Holy God, even though it’s hard to watch the depiction of Jesus’ suffering, help us remember that He is the most wonderful gift we’ve ever been given. In His name, we pray, amen.
7. Holy Saturday Celebration of Rest
Read
Matthew 27:57-60: As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Discuss
Talk about how God provided Joseph at just the right time to care for Jesus’ body and place it in the tomb he’d recently cut out of rock. This can be a wonderful discussion about God’s provision. In addition, encourage your family to take a day of rest - even from media and other consuming activities.
Engage
Let Holy Saturday be a “lazy” day of relaxation after a long week. Consider having a quiet picnic nearby and relaxing in the sun. Encourage your family to do things that aren’t media-related, such as reading, drawing, or listening to music.
Pray
Lord, please calm our hearts and minds today, allowing us to rest and relax. Let your example of rest encourage us to do the same. In Your name, amen.
8. Easter Sunday Celebration - He Is Risen Indeed!
Read
Matthew 28:5-6: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Discuss
Emphasize the reason for celebrating Easter - the joyous resurrection of Jesus. Let your family know that while hunting for eggs and getting candy is fun, the real reason there’s an Easter Sunday is that Jesus rose from the dead.
Engage
Make Resurrection Rolls for breakfast before church or as an evening snack. Let this yummy treat be a visual reminder of the empty tomb and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.
Pray
Lord, help me remember the real reason for Easter - that You rose again and are the living God!
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.