The Road to Resurrection Easter Week Readings and Activities

Easter is right around the corner. This day celebrates the most important event in all of history. Normally, this day would be full of celebrations with your Church community and family; but with quarantine orders in place, this year Easter will look a bit different. With that in mind, we want to provide you with a tool to make memories and celebrate Easter in a unique way from your home! The Road to Resurrection is an eight-day guide that reflects and celebrates Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross. This guide is designed to be started on the Sunday before Easter (in this case, April 5) and culminates on Easter day (April 12). Each day includes five parts: • Scripture: Read over the Scripture (or listen to it) at any point in the day. We encourage you to do this as a family, so it might be helpful to read it at a time when your family normally interacts (e.g. dinner). • Reflection: This section includes several questions that you can either discuss with your house- mates or reflect on individually. • Challenge: The challenge is a simple activity that you can do to reinforce the Scripture and theme for the day. • Family Activity: We would like your whole family involved in this celebration! The family activity is designed for younger children (Elementary on down) that might not normally be able to grasp the challenge. This section will include a variety of ways to help you make each day meaingful to the children in your home. Many of these activites will include needed supplies. Please take some time to scan this guide for any supplies that you may need to collect. • Prayer: Each day includes a guided prayer and an idea of what we can be praying for together. It is our hope and prayer that you grow to be more like Jesus in the midst of the COVID-19 threat; that you are challenged to live a life full of love, peace, and joy; and that this Easter will be a time full of reflection, new memories, and a renewed commitment to be a part of Jesus’ resurrection story.

- Joshua McGrew and the Christian Church in the Wildwood Ministry Team

Join us on RightNow Media by creating a free HERE. Day One: Jesus in Triumph Sunday (April 5) Today we’ll be celebrating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago. This day is commonly called the Triumphal Entry and is characterized by the excitement that the crowds felt as they greeted the man who they believed had come to save them from their oppressors and become their new king. Scripture: Matthew 21:1 - 11 Reflection: • What is something that you can celebrate God for today? • What is a blessing that God has placed in your life that you tend to take for granted? • What does it mean for Jesus to be King in your life?

Challenge: Spend time showering God with praise and gratefulness today. Two ways in which you can do this: • Instead of any other media, play only worship music throughout the day. • Grab some sticky notes and start writing things that you are grateful on them. Post them through- out your house as a reminder.

Family Activity: • Scrap Palm Leaf: Create a palm leaf using scraps of green paper (see an example HERE. • Download The Bible App for Kids and complete The Donkey and the King story. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode one Sunday: Palm Sun- day

Prayer: “Gracious God, the energy and emotion of a parade can generate joy. Yet the joy of your parade into Jerusalem turned so quickly to pain signaling the sacrifice of your own self. Let this day re- mind me that while emotions can be fickle, your faithfulness and love remain true. May I see in the giving of your life the power to give myself for others simply for love. When life’s struggle sears my soul or sacrifice strips me of hope, strengthen me with your spirit that strode into Jerusalem to face death even as palm branches were strewn before your path and the crowd cried “Hosanna in the highest.” explorefaith.org Pray for: • All medical personnel who are on the front lines battling COVID-19. • God’s Church to be a source of celebration in the midst of the quarantine. Day Two: Jesus Clears the Temple Monday (April 6) The new king arrived in Jerusalem and was dismayed to find the Temple - the place in which they worshipped the God Almighty - in disarray. Today, we’ll be discovering what Jesus’ true mission of restoration is all about - hope, healing, and a right relationship with God. Scripture: Matthew 21:12 - 17 Reflection: • What do you find yourself worshipping outside of God the Almighty? • How have you allowed your faith and worship to get derailed from the mission of restoration? • How might you ‘clean house’ and get back to an authentic worship of God?

Challenge: Write Romans 12:1 - 2 down on a notecard. Spend time meditating and memorizing this verse today.

Family Activity: • Draw a big heart on a piece of paper. As a family, fill the heart with things that you can do that are pleasing to God (draw these OR cut and paste from magazines). • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode two Monday: Jesus is God’s Promise

Prayer: ‘Dear God, I don’t want to go another day without you in my life, controlling every part of my heart. I offer you my body. I dedicate myself to you. In light of all you’ve done for me, I give myself as a living sacrifice to you as a spiritual act of worship. I humbly admit that I need help. I want you to help renew my mind. Help me to think the way you want me to think. Please forgive me for my pride. I don’t want to think more highly of myself than I should. My faith needs to grow, and I need your help to set goals that can be measured so I can manage them. Forgive me for trying to change on my own. I want to fill my life with love. I want to fill my life with you. Help me to get group support. Help me to take delight in honoring other people, to focus on giving my life away so that you can take care of my needs. I want to nurture my enthusiasm by being in you. Help me to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. I give myself to you. In your name I pray. Amen.’ Daily Hope Devotional, Rick Warren Pray for: • All those who need healing during this crisis. • God’s people to worship Him with transparency and authenticity. Day Three: Jesus Promises His Return Tuesday (April 7) Jesus knew that His time was short. He began to prepare His disciples by teaching them through parables that spoke to what was about to happen: He was going to leave them. But He did not leave them without hope: He would return in time. Scripture: Matthew 25:1 - 13 Reflection: • Why is it critical for Christ-followers to have the hope and promise of Jesus’ return? • What difference does the promise of His return make in your life? • How might you prepare for Jesus’ return?

Challenge: Dedicate a seat around your table to Jesus as a reminder that He is returning. Keep this seat available throughout the week and remind your housemates why it is there.

Family Activity: • Plant some seeds. While planting, remind your children that God’s Kingdom is still growing (just like this new plant) until Jesus returns to this earth. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode three Tuesday: Jesus is God’s Promise

Prayer: Father, I pray that You will help me to be motivated by the sure knowledge that Jesus will return again; cause me to live a pure life of holiness and anticipate Your coming. I pray that I will live this week as if I know for sure that You are coming by next weekend. Let me be a witness to Your saving grace in the lives of those who are not ready for Your return. And now, Father, I pray for ______that they might also be aware that life is short, and they will either meet You in death or perhaps, live to see Your return. I pray that they might love Jesus so much that they would actually look forward to seeing Him return. If they do not know You as Sav- ior, turn their hearts in Your direction; give them a sense of their own personal need and capture their hearts for Your glory and honor. Help us to develop a passion for You that is greater than our passion to sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Moody Church Media, Erwin Mutzer Pray for: • All those living in fear instead of the hope that Jesus brings. • God’s people to eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus. Day Four: Jesus is Annointed Wednesday (April 8) In today’s Scripture passage, we see two very different reactions to Jesus by those counted among His friends: one serves and worships while the other betrays. As Christ-followers, we would hope to be like Mary (the worshipper); but so often we find ourselves like Judas (the betrayer). Yet, we are still given grace and forgiveness. How will you choose to react to Jesus’ mercy today? Scripture: Matthew 26:6 - 16 Reflection: • What are some actions that you have taken to show Jesus His immense value? • What are some actions that you have taken to betray Jesus? • You may not be able to annoint Him like Mary, but how can you value Jesus on this day?

Challenge: One of the ways in which we are able to honor Jesus is by serving those around us. Today, perform an act of kindness for a neighbor, someone you meet in the store, or a co-worker. Discover ways to serve Jesus by serving others.

Note: It is a Jewish custom to do all of the cleaning and preparing of their house on the day before the Passover (today). You might consider spending time preparing for Passover by following their example and preparing your home.

Family Activity: • Paint some rocks with messages of hope. Afterwards, have your children sneak them into the gardens and doorsteps in your neighborhood. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode four Wednesday:God Protects His People

Prayer: Teach us Good Lord; To serve you as you deserve; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To toil and not to seek for rest; To labour and to ask for no reward, Save that of knowing we do your will. St. Ignatius of Loyola Pray for: • All of those who are serving in essential jobs (e.g. grocery workers, public services). • God’s people to discover opportunities to serve Jesus through the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Day Five: Jesus at the Last Supper Thursday (April 9) On Jesus’ last night of life, He chose to celebrate the Passover with His followers. What happened next we often call the Last Supper. This Last Supper is a reminder of the life that Jesus lived and the death that He died for each of us. Read Matthew’s account of this meal and try to sense the gravity of Jesus’ words to His friends. Scripture: Matthew 26:17 - 75 Reflection: • What does Communion mean to you personally?

Challenge: Consider completing one of these challenges in your household today: • Eat a Seder Meal: The Seder Meal is the product of thousands of years of history. Each item holds immense historical value and rich spiritual tradition. Find directions for a Seder Meal HERE. • Consider doing a foot-washing ceremony for your family. • Read Jesus’ prayer in John 15 - 17.

Family Activity: • If you’re children are like mine, they might be a little picky. HERE are some other ways to have a Seder Meal together (including one that uses ice cream instead!). • Download The Bible App for Kids and complete A Goodbye Meal and In the Garden stories. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode fiveThursday:Jesus is the Passover Lamb

Prayer: Lord God, You sent your Son into the world, And before his hour had come, He washed his disciples’ feet. You had given all things into his hands. He had come from you, and was going to you, And what did he do? He knelt down on the floor, And washed his friends’ feet. He was their teacher and their Lord, Yet he washed their feet. Lord God, help us learn from his ex- ample; Help us to do as he has done for us. The world will know we are his disciples If we love one another. Strengthen our hands and our wills for loveAnd for service. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son, Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory be to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen Day Six: Jesus at the Cross Friday (April 10) The road that started with a celebration ended with a horrible death on a cross. Jesus, the Son of God, lived His last day in agony - betrayal, beatings, false accusations, humiliation, and crucifixion. And with His death, the world went dark. Scripture: Matthew 27:11 - 61 Reflection: • For you, what is the most shocking part of Jesus’ last day on this earth? • What does it mean to know that Jesus went through all of this suffering on your behalf?

Challenge: Consider completing one of these challenges in your household today: • Watch the Passion of the Christ (Note: Scenes of extreme graphic violence). • Virtual Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross represent a series of events that Jesus experi- enced on His way to the cross. Each includes prayer and reflection (Note: Catholic overtones). Find it HERE.

Family Activity: • Cross Craft: Do a decorative craft with your children using the shape of the cross. While creating, talk to your child about the significance of the cross. There are a variety of options, including: • String Art Cross: HERE. • Sidewalk chalk Cross (make it look like stained glass by using painters tape for the shape). See an image HERE. • Download The Bible App for Kids and complete the It is Finished story. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode six Friday:Jesus is on Trial

Prayer: We confess tonight that we are like those who crucified our Lord. We are like those who denied Jesus—refusing to claim him as Lord of our whole life. We are like those who have mocked him—forgetting his power in this world. We are like those who made him a crown of thorns—diminishing his authority in our lives. We are like those who hung him on a Cross—choosing the allure of violence and fear rather than justice and peace. We are like those who turned away their gaze—afraid to enter into the suffering of this world. Forgive us. Have mercy upon us. Amen. Day Seven: Jesus in the Tomb Saturday (April 11) This Saturday reflects one two thousand years ago in which all hope had left this earth. The Son of God was dead. His body was in tomb. His disicples had fled. His enemies had declared a victory. Scripture: Matthew 27:62 - 66 Reflection: • What do you think that Jesus’ followers were feeling the day after His death? • What is the most hopeless that you have ever felt? • How has Jesus provided you hope in the midst of a dark place?

Challenge: Consider completing one of these challenges in your household today: • Fast for the Day: Consider fasting from something today. You could skip a meal. Or choose a par- ticular focus (e.g. sweets, media). Keep in mind that a fast is for the purpose of focusing on God. In the moments when you crave what it is you’re fasting from, turn to God in prayer. • Silence: Silence is a commodity in our culture. Spend an hour of the day in complete silence, re- flecting on the death of Christ.

Family Activity: • Paper Plate Easter Tombs: Remind your child that all of Saturday Jesus laid in a tomb. Find the ac- tivity HERE. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode seven Saturday: Jesus Dies for our Sins

Prayer: Jesus, some days my world seems to be spinning out of control. Everywhere I look, I see chaos—even in my own life. Give me a new perspective, Lord, and blow away the cobwebs that keep cluttering my mind and my vision. Every time I’m tempted to become discouraged or depressed because of negative events or situa- tions, help me turn my eyes on you. Help me to remember all the times you’ve been there for me, and all the ways you have brought me through difficult times. I forget to thank you sometimes, but I am so grateful for your faithfulness. When things look hopeless, I will hope in you. Thank you for understanding me and loving me, just as I am. And thank you for accepting me even when I was a hopeless case—just as we all were at one time. Perfect people in a perfect world would have no need of your gift of hope. With my eyes on you, I want to see life as you see it. I don’t want to waste time being negative or withdrawn from others, focusing only on what can’t be or what might never change. Teach me how to find contentment even if my circumstances remain the same. With your perspective, I can push past the impossible and find the strength and courage to believe that no matter what happens, your hope will lift me to a higher plane—where joy and purpose reign again. In Your precious name that is above all names and all this mess, Amen. Day Eight: Jesus is Alive Sunday (April 12) All Saturday, the body of Jesus lay in a tomb. But Sunday was resurrection day. Jesus defeated death and rose again, providing redemption to those who place their trust in Him. Here is the source of hope for all Christ-followers and the true meaning of Easter. The King is risen! Scripture: Matthew 28 Reflection: • How has the world changed as a result of Jesus’ resurrection? • What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you personally? • How will Jesus’ resurrection change your thoughts, attitudes and actions today?

Challenge: Consider completing one of these challenges in your household today: • Join us for a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Facebook at 9 AM or 11 AM (Christian Church in the Wildwood). • Let your excitement show! Tell everyone today that you come into contact with, ‘He is risen!’ • Write God a letter focusing on the hope and gratitude that you feel as a result of the resurrection.

Family Activity: • Create a set of Resurrection Eggs and share the story of Jesus. You can find instructions on how to make a set HERE. • Download The Bible App for Kids and complete A Happy Sunday and Into the Clouds stories. • Go on RightNow Media and watch 5-Minute Family Devotional episode eight Sunday:He is risen

Prayer: Draw us forth, God of all creation. Draw us forward and away from limited certainty into the immense world of your love. Give us the capacity to even for a moment taste the richness of the feast you give us. Give us the peace to live with uncertainty, with questions, with doubts. Help us to experience the resurrection anew with open wonder and an increasing ability to see you in the people of Easter. In Jesus’ Name, Amen