Making Holy Week a Meaningful Time of Family Worship
I can still see our young children running through the living room in their pajamas, dancing and singing Scripture songs. It was a feature of family worship in our home. We usually did this just before bedtime, though looking back, I am not sure that stirring up so much energy right before sleep was the wisest plan. Still, we wanted to make the most of those moments of pointing their hearts and minds to the truth of God’s Word. And we wanted them to know that God was worshiped in our home.
Holy Week offers a wonderful on-ramp for making family worship a priority. The days leading up to Easter can also be an invitation for families to set aside intentional time to worship together: reading, discussing, praying, and singing about some of the most important moments of the life of Jesus. In doing so, you may even begin rhythms that shape your family in the days that follow.
If your family is not accustomed to setting aside time to worship together, remember that you are introducing something new. Depending on the age of your children and the particular dynamics of your home, aim to keep the time short, engaging, and meaningful. You might follow a simple, well-worn pattern: read, discuss, pray, sing. Let’s walk through each of these and see how Holy Week provides an opportunity to make the most of this season.
Written by hymn writer and pastor Matthew Boswell, this illustrated children’s book features short, memorable rhymes about each day of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday.
Read the Account of Each Day
Holy week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday. (Resurrection Sunday stands as its own special event.) Both Sundays are glorious, yet the six days in between are not easy. The cross came before the crown. This one week holds some of the most important events of the Christian faith—namely, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is why it is known as Holy Week.
The events of Holy Week are outlined in all four Gospels, but for the sake of simplicity, I have listed a passage from one Gospel that you can read together. For best practices on reading, you might take turns reading aloud or have your best reader lead out. Some of the passages are long, so you might decide to take little breaks for discussion along the way or condense the reading depending on the age of your children.
| Day | Event | Scripture References |
| Palm Sunday | Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey while crowds shout, “Hosanna!” | Matthew 21:1–11 |
| Holy Monday | Jesus enters the temple and drives out the money changers. He also curses a fruitless fig tree. | Mark 11:12–26 |
| Holy Tuesday | Teaching in the Temple (Olivet Discourse) Jesus debates religious leaders. | Matthew 21:23–24:51 |
| Spy Wednesday | The plot to kill Jesus develops. | Luke 21:37–38, Luke 22:1–2 |
| Maundy Thursday | The Last Supper, the Upper Room Discourse, Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the arrest of Jesus. | Matthew 26:17–75 |
| Good Friday | Multiple trials leading to the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. | John 18:28–19:42 |
| Holy Saturday | Jesus lies lifeless in the tomb as guards are placed at the tomb. | Matthew 27:62–66 |
| Resurrection Sunday | The Resurrection! The disciples see an empty tomb and the Risen Christ. | Luke 24 |
Discuss the Meaning
One way to help children understand the passage is to begin with observation. Ask simple questions about who or what they see in the text. What is happening? What stands out to them? These questions invite them to look closely at the words of Scripture.
From there, move toward the meaning of the passage. What truth does this moment in Holy Week reveal about Jesus? What does it show us about God’s great work in bringing salvation to his people?
Finally, see if there is some specific response or application for your life that is appropriate. Is there a truth to believe, a lesson to learn, or a principle to apply? Help your family see how God’s Word speaks to their hearts and lives.
Pray Together
Praying together as a family is one of the most meaningful investments of time you can make. Thank God for the great lengths he went to during each day of Holy Week to save his people from their sins. Let your prayers follow the story of redemption that unfolds throughout the week.
You may also pray for friends and family members who have not yet believed the good news of Jesus Christ, asking that the Lord would open their hearts to the gospel.
Sing!
The themes of Holy Week provide multiple themes that we never tire of singing. The cross of Christ and his resurrection stand at the center of our hope and are of first importance (1 Cor. 15:1–4). You might choose one song or hymn each day that helps you explain or respond to the events of the week. Sing about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to help your family not only read, discuss, and pray, but also sing of the great hope that Holy Week celebrates.
A Final Note
Let me close with a brief encouragement. Do not lose heart if you are met with a few raised eyebrows or deep sighs. Those moments are part of the good work of planting gospel seeds. Make the most of the time you share, and may the good news of the gospel always be good news within your home.
Perhaps a week of beginning a new rhythm could begin a new pattern that impacts generations to come!
Matthew Boswell is the author of That Holy Week So Long Ago: The Seven Days That Led to Easter.
