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Maundy Thursday At-Home Family Read-Pray-Sing
- Mark Pulliam
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Author's Note: "Read - Pray - Sing" is what the people of Lazarus Church and other Harvest Partnership churches call "Family Worship." This simple format for family devotions has been expanded for families who will be worshipping at-home rather than with the collaborative Harvest Partnership Maundy Thursday worship service which will be hosted by Resurrection at 7pm on Thursday. We hope you enjoy this powerful illustration of the self-sacrificial love of Jesus for us as much as our family did.
MAUNDY THURSDAY | READ - PRAY - SING
Host: Today (tonight) we’re going to spend some time reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice and how much He loves us. We’re going to read the Bible, watch a short film, and then discuss the film and how it relates to Jesus.
READ
Ask someone in the group to read John 13:1-15.
Watch “Forevergreen” short film
Spend 10-15 minutes discussing the following questions:
What happened in the story?
Which parts made you laugh?
Which parts made you sad?
Which parts reminded you of the story of Jesus?
Host: Just like the tree sacrificed himself to save the bear, Jesus gave up his life by dying on the cross to save us. The tree tried to stop the bear from going to the trash-filled campsite, but he disobeyed and went anyway. When the campsite caught on fire, it wasn’t just bad for the bear, it would have killed him. (If big kids or adults are present, ask:)
What sinful things seem like fun at first, but end up being bad for us?
Host: God wants what is best for us, so He gave us rules to live by. But we have disobeyed His rules, like when we disobey our parents, or act selfishly, or say mean things to others. These things aren’t just bad for us; doing them means we should be separated from God forever.
Host: When the bear could not escape from the fire, the tree pulled itself up and fell over the cliff to make a bridge to save the bear. This reminds us of how Jesus saved us. Because God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us. Jesus died to pay for our sins – those times we disobey God’s rules – so that we can be with God forever. The cross reminds us how much Jesus loves us. (If big kids or adults are present, ask:)
We typically live our lives without thinking much about what Jesus sacrificed to restore our relationship with God. After watching the film, what thoughts or feelings do you have about the way Jesus’ sacrifice affects (or should affect) your everyday actions?
Host: At the end of the film, a tree grows back from the pinecone he left behind. When we celebrate Easter, we remember that Jesus came back from the dead, and He promises that everyone who believes in Him will also rise from the dead one day to be with Him forever!
Who do you think we should share this video with?
Who should our family invite to celebrate Easter with us?
PRAY
Host: Dear Jesus, you gave up your life to save us. Even though we make mistakes, You love us and forgive us. Help us to share Your love with other people. Help us to forgive them like You forgive us. Show us how to help other people because You help us. We love you, Jesus! Amen!
SING
King of Kings Lyric Video - Hillsong Worship:
(A half-page printable version of this Read-Pray-Sing resource can be found here.)
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