Lament and Holy Week: A 4-Week Series

Students will take a journey with the different characters in Jesus’ passion, reflecting on their disappointments, fears, and resiliency. They will discuss topics such as mortality, grief, betrayal, and temptation through a biblical lens.

Details:

4 lesson plans and students handout (PDF format)
Leader’s guide for activities and discussions
Social media and keynote graphics

$30.00

Weekly Summaries

Week 1

This week hones in on the ritual of Ash Wednesday. This event marks the beginning of what we call Lent, the 40-day journey leading us towards Easter every year. We will focus on the disappointment of our mortality and challenge the notion that being a Christian is truly about what happens after we die. Using a video we will invite students to consider how we are not just in creation but also a part of creation.

Week 2

This lesson will speak to the disappointment of grief by reflecting on the stories of two Marys and their resilience to hold on to faith within their grief. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene watched as Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. They each also chose to believe that his death was not the final word. We want to reflect upon both Marys’ experience of grief and offer students a tool for when the time comes for them to experience grief.

Week 3

Our session this week highlights the betrayal narratives of Peter and Judas. This lesson will speak to the disappointments of betrayal. The Gospels share about two different people who betrayed Jesus in his final moments: Peter and Judas. In these narratives, we learn why each chose to break their right relationship with Jesus and the consequences of those actions.

Week 4

This specific lesson will speak to the disappointments of learning that we as Christians are not immune to temptation, that our faith doesn’t inoculate us from our temptations but rather it helps us navigate what does tempt us to be as God called us to be. We will use the stories of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness to speak to this.

Testimonials

“Holy Disruptions is everything I've wanted in a youth group curriculum! It engages our teenagers' questions and ideas without offering overly simplified answers.”

- Laurel Capesius, Director and Campus Minister at Winthrop Wesley Foundation

“Holy Disruptions gave our leaders a teaching foundation while also creating and fostering space for our students to do their own theological exploration.”

- Nathan Wheeler, Youth Ministry and Young Adult Coordinator, Cumberland Presbyterian Church

“This material has allowed students to process through what God is teaching and speaking to them.”

- Kelsey Fisher, Program Coordinator, City Service Mission

What makes Holy
Disruptions different?

Holy Disruptions series are designed to delve into the unique experiences of today’s youth, spark deep theological reflection, and foster transformative discussions. Our three-part methodology empowers students to align with God’s vision and desires for the world.

Interruption

Facilitate a disorienting experience – where students are most receptive to growth.

Reflection

Invite students to investigate their reaction to the disorienting moment.

Holy Disruption

Ask students to explore what God says about it.