Holy Week Happenings
As our intergenerational Sunday School curriculum team prepared for our whole-group Palm Sunday lesson, one of our members spied a map of Bethany, the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem in his Bible. What made this map special was that it identified specific locations where important events occured during the last ten days of Jesus' life.
Soon the map became our focus as we brainstormed together. In the end, we developed an activity we think will allow all our participants to better learn about Jesus and his life during Holy Week. We outline our activity below.
1. Participants are divided evenly amongst ten tables.
2. Each table is provided a copy of the map (peruse different Bibles for a map that would be suitable for use). The map should identify locations of important eve
3. Each table is provided pictures of events (the triumphal entry, clearing the tables in the temple, the Last Supper, etc.) they are to research.
4. Participants are instructed to search through the Gospels and look for three specific things about each identified location: what important event occurred there, what day of the week it occurred, and what passage of Scripture led them to the answer.
5. After each table is given time to complete their task, they are provided additional Scripture passages that will allow more in-depth research of a single location. After several more minutes, each group has a representative come forward and share about each designated spot.
6. After each table has presented and our activity has been "corrected" together, each participant is provided a second map with all the data provided on it. Along with the event and the day, several Scripture passages are included.
Participants are encouraged to take their map home and read daily passages corresponding to each day's events during Holy Week. By revisiting the map and studying suggested Scripture, participants might better understand and appreciate the events and circumstances surrounding Jesus Christ during His last few days on earth.
Map Data:
Location 1:
Arrival at Bethany
Friday
John 12:1
Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before Passover; He spent time with friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. While here, Mary anointed Jesus feet with costly perfume.
Location 2:
Sabbath - Day of Rest
Saturday
Not mentioned in the Gospels
Since the next day was the Sabbath, the Lord spent the day in traditional fashion with friends.
Location 3:
The Triumphal Entry
Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on donkey. Crowds shouted "Hosanna"!
Location 4:
Clearing of the Temple
Monday
Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48
Jesus returned to the temple and drove out the traders and money changers and overturned their tables.
Location 5:
Day of Controversy and Parables
Tuesday
Matthew 21:23 - 24:51; Mark 11:27 - 13:37; Luke 20:1 - 21:36
In Jerusalem, Jesus evades traps set by priests. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus taught in parables and told his disciples about future events, including His own return.
Location 6:
Day of Rest
Wednesday
Not mentioned in the Gospels
The Scriptures do not mention this day, but counting the days (Mark 14:1; John 12:1) seems to indicate another day concerning which the Gospels record nothing.
Location 7:
Passover Last Supper
Thursday
Matthew 28:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
In the upper room Jesus prepared both Himself and the disciples for His death. Here Jesus instituted the "Lord's Supper". Afterward, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed.
Location 8:
Crucifixion
Friday
Matthew 27:1-66; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66 - 23:56; John 18:28 - 19:37
Jesus is betrayed, arrested, deserted, falsely tried, condemned and mocked. He is required to carry His cross to "The Place of the Skull", where He is crucified.
Location 9:
In the Tomb
Friday night - Saturday (the Sabbath)
Jesus' body was place in the tomb before 6:00 PM Friday night, when the Sabbath began and all work stopped, and it lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath.
Location 10:
Resurrection
Sunday
Matthew 28:1-13; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 1-31
Early in the morning, women found the stone rolled away. An angel told them Jesus was alive! Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later that day to all the disciples but Thomas. His resurrection was established as a fact.
If you like try this activity or it spurs a creative thought in you, we'd love to hear from you. Give us an email!!! Happy Easter!!!!
About the Author:
Barry Holmen is a Christian educator and familyman from Minot, ND. He enjoys running and golf and playing with his two young boys. Barry also serves as webmaster of Immanuel Online.