NOTE TO THE TEACHER

Most students have thought about Good Friday in one of these two ways:

a) As the desperate, dark time when Jesus died and those closest to him mourned deeply – a period of silence and introspection borne from the finality of death, or

b) Another piece in the Easter week puzzle that is easy to gloss over when you are young, in eager anticipation of the treats and fun that await you on Easter morning.

Here, youth are invited to consider Good Friday as Jesus’ destination, a turning point he knew was approaching because of his God-given destiny.

ICEBREAKER (10 MINUTES)

Option 1: Low-Tech – Captain, May I?

In a large open space, outside, if possible, play the classic “May I” game with Easter-week commands (take three donkey steps forward, crabwalk down the road in Jerusalem, march like a disciple toward the Last Supper, hop like an Easter bunny). Participants must remember to say, “Captain, May I?” to advance toward the finish line.

Option 2: High-Tech – The Bell Tolls

Good Friday services often include chimes ringing thirty-three times, the number of years Jesus lived, at 3:00 p.m., the time his death occurred. Allow student volunteers to ring the chimes in the church sanctuary or via mobile phone with an app such as Chimes and Bell Sounds. Chimes are to be rung slowly in a quiet and, if possible, darkened space. After two or three youth have rung chimes, discuss their feelings about being in that setting and the enormous impact of Jesus’ life and death on the world then and now.

READ SCRIPTURE (10 MINUTES)

Read Isaiah 52-53 and John 18-19.

Today’s scripture lessons are again long, telling the story of the suffering servant in Isaiah and Jesus’ arrest and trial in John. Give students Bibles or copies of the two passages to follow along. Present one via audio recording from Bible Gateway or Bible.com and have a leader read the other aloud, first Isaiah 52-53 and then John 18-19. Reserve Psalm 23 for the closing activity.

DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah offers youth the opportunity to relate the suffering servant to the Holy Week story – to think about the servant’s identity, the meaning of the servant’s death, and how this prophecy relates to our lives today. After students have heard both passages, ask:

Who is this servant, and why is he both revered and hated?
How is this servant similar to or different from Jesus?
In what way does Isaiah help us understand Jesus’ sacrifice?
Do you think people who serve others today are treated with disdain or with respect? Why?
How can this story offer hope to someone facing hardships in their life?

ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION (15 MINUTES)

Move to an outdoor space or quiet room for the closing activity. A place with plants, a water feature, or even a white noise app playing quiet ocean sounds is preferred. With the group assembled in a circle, offer students the opportunity to listen with their eyes closed. Read Psalm 23 CEB aloud, then discuss:

Where do you find yourself, as a disciple, in the Holy Week story now that Jesus has reached his destination?
Think back to the end of a journey you took in the past year. Did you feel satisfied or disappointed, content or invigorated, weary or well-rested?
As one of Jesus’ followers, how do you feel about offering forgiveness to those who shouted, “Crucify him”?
After hearing Psalm 23, how do you think Jesus felt when he “walked through the darkest valley”?
Where do you find hope in this story?

Close in silence, with thirty-three chime tones via a phone app.

Total time: 50 minutes