Good Friday – Shadows of the Cross
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Getting Started:
- As we approach the celebration of Christ’s glorious resurrection this coming Sunday, we might miss the overwhelming joy of the resurrection if we’ve not contemplated Jesus Christ’s agonizing death.
- This family/small group worship simply walks through Seven Shadows based on readings from the end of John 17 through John 19. “Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain. Free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvry’s mountain. In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever. Till my ransomed soul shall find, rest beyond the river.” (Fanny Crosby)
Good Friday – Shadows of the Cross
Note: Family Members will need to use their Bibles for the 7 Readings from John’s Gospel.
Opening Prayer: (from John 17:20–26)
Leader: Jesus Prays for All Believers: 20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be[a] in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation. 25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you. However, I have known you, and they have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them.” (John 17:20-26)
ALL: Amen
Hymn: “I Need Thee Every Hour”
The Shadow of Betrayal:
Family Member Read – John 18:1–11
The Shadow of Denial:
Family Member Read – John 18:12–27
Prayer (possible prayer): O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come humbly before you to admit and confess that there have been ways that we too have betrayed and denied you…in thought, word and deed. Help us to live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we read John’s account of our Savior’s crucifixion, help us to sense the agony and suffering he endured on our behalf for the glory of God the Father. Amen
The Shadow of Accusation:
Family Member Read – John 18:28–40
Possible Transition Statement: No one stood on behalf of Jesus as he was falsely charged. The voices heard in Pilate’s headquarters were those of our Lord’s accusers. For believers, our hope is found in the one who ever lives and pleads for us in the ultimate court with the ultimate Judge of the universe. Let’s thank our precious Lord for being our perfect advocate.
Hymn: “Before the Throne of God Above”
The Shadow of Suffering:
Family Member Read – John 19:1–16
The Shadow of Crucifixion:
Family Member Read – John 19: 17–27
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
The Shadow of Death:
Family Member Read – John 19:28–37
Hymn: “The Old Rugged Cross”
The Shadow of the Tomb:
Family Member Read – John 19:38–42
Hymn: “Jesus Paid it All”
Family Prayer Time