Five Creative Sunday School Ideas for Holy Week

Thinking ahead to Easter Holy Week? We’ve pulled together a list of five really cool Easter Holy Week activities and crafts for Sunday School and youth ministry.

Easter Holy Week is a significant time for Christians around the world, as it commemorates the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. It is a perfect opportunity for churches to engage children and teenagers and teach them about the importance of this special week. By adopting a friendly and engaging approach, churches can help young minds grasp the profound meaning behind Easter Holy Week.

One way churches can engage children and teenagers is by organizing interactive storytelling sessions. These sessions can bring the biblical stories to life, allowing young ones to imagine themselves in the shoes of the disciples or witness the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. By actively involving them in the narratives, churches can help young minds connect emotionally with the events and understand their significance.

Another effective method is through creative activities and crafts. Churches can organize workshops where children and teenagers can make Easter-themed crafts, such as creating palm branches or making their own crosses. These hands-on experiences allow them to explore the symbolism behind each element, fostering a deeper understanding of the Easter story.

We’ve gathered a few examples of Easter arts and crafts for you:

Holy Week Calendar

We like this idea because it helps children understand the importance of each day of Easter Holy Week in a very visual way. You could assign a day to different children and have them be responsible for creating that calendar square.

Find the full details here.

Holy Week Passports

Since Lent is a spiritual journey, why not take your cue and make this into a fun theme. You can use this idea for Lent or Easter Holy Week (or both!). Your children have their passports stamped for every activity they complete. You could also use this as a way to promote attendance at Holy Week services. Children get a stamp for each service they attend.

Learn more here.

Paper-Cut Palms

This activity is best suited for older youth. You’ll get the best results if you use an Exacto knife. This activity definitely requires care and attention. The results can be quite wonderful. Imagine if your youth created these beautiful works of art? You could display them in your church entry, or set up a special art gallery area within your church. A great Holy Week craft to start the week!

Click here to see more examples to inspire you.

Visual Guide To Holy Week

This is a clever way to help children visualize each day of Holy Week. The strip of wood is painted to represent each day of Holy Week. You move the Jesus figure to each day.

Check out the details here. This site has several variations on this idea.

Cross Crafts

Here’s a clever idea that is ideal for children. A regular ‘ole paper plate becomes the backdrop for your artistic take on Calvary.

For even more “cross craft” ideas, click here.

Churches can also arrange age-appropriate discussions and small group sessions. This allows children and teenagers to express their thoughts and ask questions in a safe and open environment. Encouraging dialogue and providing answers to their inquiries helps them gain a clearer comprehension of the profound spiritual message embedded within Easter Holy Week.

Churches can organize community outreach programs during Holy Week. Engaging young minds in acts of service, such as visiting the elderly or volunteering at local shelters, allows them to experience the essence of Jesus’ teachings firsthand. By showing compassion and love to others, children and teenagers can understand the importance of selflessness and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.

Easter Holy Week provides churches with a unique opportunity to teach children and teenagers about the significance of this special time in a friendly and engaging manner. By incorporating interactive storytelling, creative activities, meaningful discussions, and community outreach, churches can help young minds connect with the spiritual message of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. By instilling these teachings at a young age, churches can inspire the next generation to embrace the profound meaning of Easter Holy Week and live out its principles in their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you explain Holy Week to a child?

    Holy Week is a special time in the Christian calendar when we remember and celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It lasts for seven days, starting on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.

  • What is Holy Week in simple words?

    Holy Week is a religious observance for Christians that marks the last week of Jesus' life on Earth, culminating in his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

  • What is Holy Monday for kids?

    Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week and is the day when Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. It's a day to reflect on the importance of keeping our hearts and minds pure and focused on God.

  • What are the 7 days of Holy Week?

    The 7 days of Holy Week are:

    • Palm Sunday
    • Holy Monday
    • Holy Tuesday
    • Spy Wednesday
    • Maundy Thursday
    • Good Friday
    • Holy Saturday

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