Holy Week
Games Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activities:
Play a life-sized board game (with game wheel) to review the story events.
Scripture References:
(1) The entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11; (2) Jesus clears the Temple: Matthew 21:12-13; (3) The Plot against Jesus: Matthew 26:3-5; (4) Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-16; (5) Jesus washes the disciples feet: John 13:4-15; (6) The Last Supper: Matthew 26:17-30; (7) In the garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-46; (8) Jesus arrested: Matthew 26:47-56; (9) Jesus is questioned/condemned/put on trial: Matthew 26:57, 59-66, 27:1-2; & 27:11-26; (10) Crucifixion: Matthew 27:27-66; (11) Jesus’ resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10
Workshop Objectives — children will:
- Be able to retell the events of Holy Week.
- Understand the importance of the events of Holy Week specifically that it is through Jesus death and resurrection that our sins are forgiven.
Leader Preparation:
- Read the scripture for this lesson.
- Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
- Gather the materials.
- On the whiteboard write the key Bible verse & what colors on the game wheel represent: Green: move ahead 2, Red: stay put, Yellow: move ahead 1, Blue: move back 1.
- For the first couple of weeks, ask the questions in numerical order to reinforce the sequence of events. In later weeks, if the children seem to know the story, you might mix them up.
- For 1st and 2nd grade eliminate questions with an asterisk. (*)
Materials List:
- Bibles (for 3rd grade and up)
- Whiteboard; appropriate marker
- Game cards (see attached)
- Life-sized game board – canvas tarp with painted spaces (4 colors)
- Game wheel (with corresponding 4 colors)
- Pictures to represent the 12 story events: (Pages from book Big Picture Bible Time Line)
(1) The entry into Jerusalem: page 57
(2) Jesus clears the Temple: page 58
(3) The Plot against Jesus: page 45
(4) Judas agrees to betray Jesus: image found on-line
(5) Jesus washes the disciples feet: image found on-line
(6) The Last Supper: page 58
(7) In the garden of Gethsemane: image found on-line
(8) Jesus arrested: image found on-line
(9) Jesus is questioned/condemned/on trial: image found on-line
(10) Crucifixion: page 59
(11) Jesus’ resurrection: page 60
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Greet your students warmly welcoming them to the Games Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults. Pass around a basket to collect any offering.
[Note: The Shepherd will quietly take attendance, etc. while you are starting your lesson.]
Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. Finish with the Lord’s Prayer. A prayer suggestion: “Dear Jesus, Help us to use this time before Easter that we call Lent, to prepare for Easter. Help us to quiet our minds and our hearts. Help us to see the wonder in each event that lead up to your death and your resurrection. Join with me now as we say the prayer that you taught us…(say the Lord’s prayer) Amen.”
Say: The week before Jesus died, he spent in Jerusalem. We call that week Holy Week. Today you’re going to play a game that will take you through some of the main events of Holy Week. Let’s review these events.
Dig:
Ask: Does anyone know the event that happened one week before Jesus rose from the dead? [If necessary show the picture of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.]
Say: We call this event Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem to a palm parade.
Run thorough the other 10 events fairly quickly (Students will read or hear more detail as they play the game. After the first couple of weeks, you might be able to go straight to the game and skip the summary). Asking…
Ask: What was the next significant event that happened in Holy Week? [If necessary showing the appropriate picture.] If you need words to say for each event use the following:
(2) Jesus clears the Temple:
Say: Jesus went to the Temple; he was distressed at what he found. He found people selling things and exchanging money – and cheating people.
(3) The Plot against Jesus:
Say: The religious and government leaders did not like Jesus’ popularity and they plotted to kill him.
(4) Judas agrees to betray Jesus:
Say: Judas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, makes a deal with the leaders to betray Jesus.
(5) Jesus washes the disciples feet:
Say: At the start of the Passover meal Jesus washes his disciples feet.
(6) The Last Supper:
Say: During the meal Jesus blesses the bread and wine and tells his disciples that the bread and wine are symbols of his body and blood and that when we eat the bread and drink the wine we are to remember him.
(7) In the garden of Gethsemane:
Say: Jesus goes to Gethsemane, where he prays.
(8) Jesus arrested:
Say: Judas arrives with a crowd, gives Jesus a kiss, and Jesus is arrested.
(9) Jesus is questioned/condemned/on trial:
Say: Jesus was put on trial.
(10) Crucifixion:
Say: Jesus was killed on a cross, a horrible way to die.
(11) Jesus’ resurrection:
Say: But after 3 days, Jesus was resurrected – he rose from the dead!
Play the Game:
Explain that students will work in teams to move across the game board – squeezing onto spaces as needed. The object of the game is not to be first to reach the end, but for all teams to reach an end, or to get as far as time permits, and to have fun doing it.
Lay out the game board(s). Have everyone take off his/her shoes. Ask the Shepherd to help you divide the class into teams of 2 or 3 players each. [Preferably in 2’s but 3 is ok if needed]. Have the team with the person whose birthday is closest to today’s date go first.
Students may work from either end of the board.
Students draw a game card. All the people on a team should confer/work on an answer. If they are correct, they get to spin the wheel. The color they spin determines what happens (refer to whiteboard).
Other game hints:
- Display the pictures of the 12 story events for use in answering the Scripture cards.
- Bibles are an important tool, especially for the Question Cards (for readers).
- Use every opportunity during game play to allow discussion that may occur from a particular question/answer. There are some discussion questions mixed in.
- More than one team lands on the same spot? Squeeze together as best you can.
- Read the game cards for the 1st and 2nd graders. Offer 1st graders just two choices on the question cards.
- Remind the children that only the team in play should be talking.
Allow time for a closing (4 minutes).
Reflection:
Using the key verse written on the white board, have everyone read the key verse. Then ask a student to erase one word. Then have everyone read the verse filling in the missing word. Have students take turns erasing words, each time reading the verse aloud as a group. You may consider that each time you read the verse you say it in a different way – whispering, while standing on one foot, slowly, quickly, etc.
Say: Jesus spoke these words during the Last Supper. Because of Jesus’ resurrection we now know the way to have everlasting life with Jesus.
Resources:
Attachment: Game Questions
[Poster’s note: I added discussion questions to some of these questions. They were from Helen Haidle’s book Journey to the Cross. Because it would be a copyright violation for me to reproduce that material here, those discussion questions are not shown.]
Scripture cards – these are scripture from the Bible
1. Matthew 21:4-5
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
4. Matthew 21: 9
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
6. Matthew 21:12b
He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
9. Matthew 26:3-4
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
11. Matthew 26:14-15a
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
13. John 13:4
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
15. Matthew 26:20
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
19. Matthew 26:38
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
22. Matthew 26:49
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
25. Matthew 26:57a, 59-60
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
31. Matthew 27:22-23
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
33. Matthew 27:41-42
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
36. Matthew 28:5-6
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
Which Holy Week event is this part of?
Question cards (answers in bold) – Note: The discussion questions are not printed on the game cards.
2. Before Jesus entered Jerusalem, what did he tell his disciples to get for him? (Matthew 21:2)
A) Donkey and a horse
B) Donkey and a mule
C) Donkey and its colt
3. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, what did the crowd put on the ground? (Matthew 21:8)
A) Flowers and tree branches
B) Clothes and tree branches
C) A red carpet and tree branches
* 5. What kind of king did the people want?
A) A military hero who would overthrow the Romans
B) A mighty king of all the nations
C) Burger King
7. What did Jesus tell the people in the Temple? (Matthew 21:13)
A) My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.
B) My house is not for your marketplace.
C) My house is a very nice house.
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
8. Who wanted to kill Jesus? (Matthew 26:3-4)
A) The disciples
B) Zacchaeus & Elijah
C) The chief priests & the nation’s leaders
*10. What did the religious leaders say when they were plotting to kill Jesus? (Matthew 26:5)
A) We should go after him today.
B) What shall we have for lunch?
C) But not during the Feast or there may be a riot among the people.
12. What was Judas’ paid for betraying Jesus? (Matthew 26:15)
A) 30 dollars
B) 30 pieces of silver
C) 30 pieces of gold
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
14. Why did Jesus wash the feet of his disciples? (John 13:14)
A) As a symbol of service, to serve others.
B) To show the disciples how to properly wash.
C) Because they were filthy dirty.
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
16. The Last Supper was a special meal. What were Jesus and his disciples celebrating? (Matthew 26:17)
A) Hanukah
B) Christmas
C) Passover
17. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying ______________. (Matthew 26:26)
A) Take and eat; this is my body.
B) Want some?
C) Take and eat; this is my offering.
18. After the Last Supper, where did Jesus go to pray? (Matthew 26:36)
A) Bethlehem
B) Gethsemane
C) The Temple
20. What did the Peter, James and John do while Jesus was praying in Gethsemane? (Matthew 26:40)
A) Played cards
B) Fell asleep
C) Made plans for protecting Jesus
21. What was Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane? (Matthew 26:39)
A) My father, please save me from suffering.
B) My father, please send an army of angels to fight my enemies.
C) My father, if I must suffer, I will do what you want.
23. Did any of the disciples fight to keep Jesus from being arrested? (Matthew 26:51)
A) Yes, one of them swung his sword cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest.
B) Yes, one of them clubbed one of the guards.
C) No, no one did anything.
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
24. After Jesus was arrested, what did the disciples do? (Matthew 26:56b)
A) Went with him to prison.
B) Ran away.
C) Finished eating their Passover dinner.
26. True or False: Jesus had a fair trial.
A) True
B) False
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
27. True or False: When he was brought before Pilate, Jesus did not reply when the chief priests accused Jesus of many crimes. This amazed Pilate. (Matthew 27:12-14)
A) True
B) False
*28. Jesus was taken to the governor Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” What did Jesus answer? (Matthew 27:11)
A) “Yes, it is as you say”
B) Jesus didn’t answer
C) “No, I am not”
29. The governor Pilate did not think that Jesus was guilty. It was the custom at the Passover Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Whom did Pilate release? (Matthew 27:24-26)
A) Barney
B) Barabbas
C) Jesus
*30. Pilate tried to reason with the crowds who shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Why so you suppose the crowds wanted to kill Jesus? (Matthew 27:20)
A) Crowds will be crowds.
B) The chief priests paid them to say that.
C) Maybe because the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds.
A DISCUSSION QUESTION TO ASK THE STUDENTS… (see poster’s note above)
*32. The soldiers who crucified Jesus did what? (Matthew 27:35,37)
A) Divided up his clothes by casting lots.
B) Placed a sign above Jesus’ head that said: “This Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews.”
C) Both of these.
*34. The moment that Jesus died what else happened? (Matthew 27:51)
A) The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
B) There was an earthquake.
C) Both of these.
*35. Who buried Jesus’ body? (Matthew 27:57-60)
A) Joseph of Arimathea
B) Mary
C) No one did
37. What does Jesus’ death and resurrection mean to us today?
A) Nothing, it is just a story.
B) It means that our sins are forgiven.
C) It means that we have something to talk about.
(although "c" is technically true also!)
A lesson written by Carol Hulbert from:
First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, MI.
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.