Updated on April 7, 2020
From Sorrow to Joy!
For Praying with Children in Holy Week
Gather the Family
Light a candle with a sturdy base. Dim the lights in the room. Ask family
members to take off their shoes and make a large circle on the floor.
Place the candle carefully in the middle.
Choose a reader and invite the family to focus on the candlelight while
listening to the following words by Sally Lloyd Jones:
God meant us to live forever. But sin has broken everything and now we–all of us–die. Jesus came to destroy death. He died on the cross and was buried—but death couldn’t keep him dead. On the third day he burst out of the tomb! And now death can’t keep us dead either.
A preacher Charles Spurgeon said that Jesus has turned the tomb into a bed–and dying into just waking up…as if from a refreshing night’s
Thoughts that Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd Jones, pg 105
sleep—and Jesus will lead us by the hand into Life that won’t ever end.
Allow a few moments of quiet. Read it a second time slowly.
Use the questions below to prompt discussion. Since there are no right
answers allow children to talk spontaneously or simply wonder about
the questions quietly. Gauge the time allotted to meet the needs of your
family.
- What part of this made you feel sad or glad?
- Was there something you heard that brought a sense of wonder?
- A Circle Blessing: a family member starts by taking the hands of the person sitting on his or her right and looking straight into their eyes say: “name_______, Jesus came to destroy the power of death over you-rejoice!” The one who receives the blessing then turns to the person on their right until all have been blessed. AMEN!
Recommended Books for Families:
Thoughts that Make Your Heart Sing and The Jesus
Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones published by Zonderkidz
This post was written by Gail Hatch.