This sure is a different year. Different by so many means compared to how I had hoped to spend my first Holy Week with ya’ll. But here we are embracing it.
Maybe, the Lord is reminding us that the whole point of the Jewish Seder or Passover, with Matzah, selected herbs, and wine, was a family party to teach their children about the faith they claimed.
It’s our time to be the ones to teach each of our families about our holy Holy Week and the meaning and history of Easter. Here is my resource for you to make the most of this Maundy Thursday evening.
Share a Dinner Meal Together
Make it special. Use the fine china or fancy glasses. Why not dress up for the occasion?
Before Your Meal
Read Exodus 12 about how Moses’ led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Share the importance of how every year, every year, in accordance with God’s command, Jews commemorate the night when the Lord passed over the firstborn Israelites while striking down those of the Egyptians. The Lord told Moses not to forget the Passover act, his sparing of the Israelites:
“This will be a day of remembrance for you, which your future generations will celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord; you will celebrate it as a statute forever” (Ex 12:14).)
During Your Meal
Have the kids or younger adults ask the older adults at dinner these questions:
“How did you learn about Jesus?”
“Did you learn about it inside the church or elsewhere?”
“Who are you thankful for teaching you about God?”
Ask more questions about their faith ultimately leading to: “Why did you decide to follow Jesus?”
Perhaps you have someone joining you who doesn’t claim Jesus as Lord. Ask them the same questions, this may be their time to claim Him. After the adults share, have the kids or younger adults share who impacted their faith in Jesus and share memories they have of growing in their faith.
After Your Meal
Gather together with a chair to sit on, a towel, bucket or big bowl filled with water and your communion elements, bread and grape juice (any juice or wine).