Home > Parenting > Family Devotionals > from Karen L. Maudlin
From the pages of Christian Parenting Today, Mar/Apr 2000
| Family Time with
God |
by Karen L. Maudlin.
Psy.D. |
March
God’s Sacrifice
The devotionals on this page and the
following page are designed to guide
you and your family through two months of short, simple times with God and
each other.
The family devotions for March focus on the crucifixion.
If you’re concerned they might be too intense for your younger children,
use the suggestions in the "Want More" section instead of the week-by-week
lessons.
Look It Up
"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate
asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate
released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be
crucified. The soldiers … put a purple robe on him, then twisted together
a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, "Hail,
king of the Jews!" Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff
and spit on him … Then they led him out to crucify him (Mark 15:12-13;
15-20).
Get Ready
Using a length of purple cloth, cut out a single 6-inch square of fabric
as well as a 3-inch square for each family member.
Talk It Over
WEEK 1: Our Shame
Place the large purple cloth in the center of the table and pass out a small
purple piece to each family member. Now read the passage. As you talk about
this story, have each person lay his or her piece of cloth on the large cloth.
Talk about what you think it was like for Jesus to be mocked, hit and spit
at. What does this story tell you about God’s love for you? End your
time by thanking God for Jesus’ death and resurrection.
WEEK 2: Our Betrayal
Pass out the pieces of cloth and read in Luke 23:18-25. Have one parent act
as the narrator with the other parent or an older child speaking the words
of Pilate. Have younger children portray the crowd, laying their pieces of
cloth on the large cloth as they read. Talk together about why you think
the crowd turned against Jesus. Talk about times each of you might have betrayed
someone in order to follow the crowd. End your time by asking God to help
you always be his faithful follower.
WEEK 3: Our Fear
Read the passage from Mark 15, focusing on verses 12-15. Again, have one
parent act as the narrator, one as Pilate and the children as the crowd.
As the children shout "Crucify him!" have them place their purple cloths
onto the center cloth. Talk about why Pilate might have given in to the crowd.
Talk together about a time you did something you knew was wrong because you
were afraid of what others might think if you didn’t. End your time
by asking God to help you stand up for what’s right, even when you’re
afraid.
WEEK4: Our Forgiveness
Read the passage in Mark, focusing on verses 16-20. Then read Luke 23:34.
Ask each family member to place his or her small purple cloth on top of the
large cloth in the center of the table while saying, "Father forgive me,
I did not know what I was doing." Talk together about what Jesus’
forgiveness means to you. End your time by thanking God for forgiving you
for all your sins.
Remember This
And when they had mocked him, they took off his purple robe and put his
own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him
(Mark:15:20).
Want More?
AGES 3-5:
Ask your child questions like: How does the cloth feel in your hands? What
do you think it felt like on Jesus’ back after he had been hurt by the
soldiers? Tell your child that when Jesus suffered for us, he took away our
fears and hurts. Encourage your child to put the purple cloth by her bed.
As you pray each night, have your child hold the cloth and ask Jesus to take
away any fears she felt during the day.
AGES 6-9:
Ask your child questions like: Have you ever been accused of something you
didn’t do? How did you handle it? Have your child carry his cloth in
his backpack this month to remind him that Jesus can help him handle difficult
situations. Help your child memorize Mark 15:20.
AGES 10-14:
Ask your child to talk or write about a time she was teased or humiliated.
What did she do about it? Ask what it means to her that Jesus knows how that
feels and can help her through those times. Ask your child to write out Mark
15:17 and Luke 23:34 on a purple sheet of paper and try to memorize both
verses this month.
FAMILY:
As a family, find ways to be more forgiving toward each other this month.
Remember that sometimes forgiveness takes time, so don’t feel pressured
into less-than-genuine forgiveness.
Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian
Parenting Today Magazine.
Click
here for reprint information on Christian Parenting Today.
March/April 2000, Vol. 12, No. 4, Page 54
MomSense
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