We invite you to use this guide to remember the events of Good Friday and prepare your heart to worship this Easter Sunday. Please watch the video above, decide on a time and space and then use the guide below.
Good Friday 2020 Guide
Supplies list
Gather the following list of supplies before you begin.
Bible
Pen + Paper
Candle + Lighter
Bread + Grape Juice
Practice: Turn off lights and light a candle
Turn off all the lights in your house. This represents the darkness which enveloped the world at the death of Jesus.
Light a candle, symbolizing God’s presence with you right now during this time. The Jesus we read about is with us as we enter into His story.
Read by the light of the candle, or turn on minimal lights to create a darker atmosphere as you enter into this space.
Read Matthew 26:17-30
Practice: Communion + Singing
Like Jesus' first followers, Jesus invites us to the table with him to remember his death through simple bread and juice. Communion literally means “common union”. That we are one with Jesus as his followers. Take communion together, remembering Jesus’ body broken for you and Jesus’ blood shed for you. Afterwards, engage in worshiping God through song, just like the disciples did on the Mount of Olives, using the video from our friends at the Village Church.
Read Matthew 26:36-45
Practice: Prayer
During the watershed moment of Jesus’ life He went to talk with his Father, sharing his thoughts and emotions and trusting in God’s will over his own. Let us take to heart Jesus’ example in our own lives. Let us follow in Jesus’ way just as he told his first followers to watch and pray. Take however long you need to “watch and pray”. Talk with God about your struggles, thoughts and emotions during this season. Then give it over to him, taking it from your shoulders and placing it onto His. End your time in prayer by saying “May your will be done.”
Note: This can be done individually or together
Read Matthew 27:11-31
Practice: Confession
We all have sinned against God, even as we seek to follow him. God doesn’t want us to focus on our sins (that’s why he died for them) but he does want us to identify, confess and turn from them. Confession admits what we have done wrong as well as examines the motives behind our actions. We don’t beat ourselves up but ask God to show us our next step forward. Take however long you need to confess your sins. It may be helpful to write them down, or speak them out loud to others or just to God. Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Read Matthew 27:32-44
Practice: Reflection
The account of the crucifixion isn’t meant to just inform us but transform us. When we take time to reflect, we soak in the events, turning them over in our head to see how they run through our life. It might best be compared to percolating as coffee does in a coffee pot. Take time to reflect on the narrative so far. What do you hear God saying to you? What part of the story stands out to you? Imagine yourself with Jesus in the garden or watching from the crowd as he is carrying the cross. As a concrete way to reflect, journaling helps us to see our thoughts in print, which can create much deeper reflection.
Feel free to share your reflections with the people you are worshiping with or text your friends after you spend time in the guide.
Read Matthew 27:45-55
Practice: Extinguish the candle and sit in silence
The light of the world chose to give his life and enter into utter darkness. Jesus’ followers were plunged into darkness and desperation not knowing what to do after placing all of their hopes on Jesus. Even creation groaned and shook. Luke tells us the sun stopped shining. Extinguish your candle, symbolizing the willing death of Jesus, the Son of God. Afterwards, we invite you to sit in the silence and darkness. Embrace the fact that there are moments when all seems lost and dark. God seems dead, unavailable and uninterested. It may be helpful to set a timer as you practice silence.
There’s a resurrection coming.
See you at 10 am Easter Sunday!