GOOD FRIDAY
AT HOME 

Have your communion elements ready, and start by reading through the devotionals together. Make sure to take some time answering the questions and helping to make each section apply personally. 

We All Do Wrong Things

Today is Good Friday. On Good Friday, we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

All of us do wrong things sometimes, don’t we? What are some things we do wrong sometimes?

Yea, that right. Sometimes we lie. We disobey. We get selfish. We hurt people with our words and actions.

The Bible calls that sin. Sin is serious because it separates us from God. That means it creates distance between us and God, and we cannot fix that problem on our own.

Ask your kids:

  • When we do something wrong how does it affect others?
  • How does it feel inside when we do something wrong?
  • Why do you think doing wrong things creates distance between us and God?

Jesus Took Our Punishment

God did not want us to stay separated from Him. So Jesus came for us. Jesus never sinned. He never did anything wrong. But, because he loves us, He chose to take the punishment for us.

Jesus was punished on the cross so we would not have to be. He took our place. Because of what Jesus did, we don’t have to be punished for our sin and can be brought back to God.

Ask your kids:

So if Jesus didn’t do anything wrong… why did He go to the cross?

What does it mean when we say Jesus “took our place”?

Why do you think Jesus was willing to do that for you?

Because of Jesus, We Are Forgiven

Because Jesus took our punishment, we do not have to be separated from God anymore. Because of Jesus, we can be forgiven.

To be forgiven means God does not hold our sin against us anymore. It means the punishment has already been paid by Jesus. Jesus took what we deserved so we could receive something better.

Because of Jesus:

  • our sin can be forgiven
  • we can be close to God
  • we can be part of God’s family
  • we can know that God loves us

That does not mean sin is not a big deal. It means Jesus loved us enough to do something about it. When we trust in Jesus, we do not have to live wondering if God wants us near. Because of Jesus, the answer is yes. He made a way for us to come close to God again.

So on Good Friday, we remember that Jesus was punished on the cross so we could be forgiven and brought back to God.

Ask your kids:

  • What does it mean to be forgiven?
  • How do you think it makes Jesus feel when we trust Him and thank Him?

Because of Jesus, We Are Forgiven

On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He shared a meal with His friends. During that meal, He gave them a way to remember what he did for us on the cross. We call it communion. 

He took bread and juice and told us that we can use the bread and juice to remember what Jesus did. 

The Bread

This bread reminds us of Jesus’ body. Jesus gave His body for us. He was hurt and nailed to the cross. He did that because He loves us and because He was taking our punishment.

When we eat the bread, we remember: Jesus gave His body for me.

The Cup

This cup reminds us of Jesus’ blood. Jesus’ blood was poured out on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. Because of what Jesus did, we can be clean and forgiven and brought close to God.

When we drink the cup, we remember: Jesus forgives me.

Before you take communion

Before we take communion, let’s take a quiet moment.

You can say: “Let’s talk to Jesus quietly in our hearts.” Think about: Is there anything I want to say sorry for? What do I want to thank Jesus for?

After you pause for a few moments then take the bread together and then take the cup together. 

Closing Prayer 

Jesus, thank You for giving Your body for us. Thank You for shedding Your blood for us. Thank You for forgiving us and bringing us close to God. We remember You tonight with thankful hearts. Amen.