In the Pits

Maundy Thursday is observed as the night before Jesus was crucified, where Jesus shared the Last Supper with the disciples. Plan a special meal to conclude with your Table to commemorate Maundy Thursday (it doesn’t have to be on a Thursday). ‍

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Share a Meal Together

Table Talk: 

• What is a nostalgic food that brings back memories when you have it? 
• Share how you’ve seen God at work through this series OR share something you’re thankful for.
  

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Worship and Prayer

• Spend time praying in gratitude, completing the sentence “Thank You, God, for _____.”
• Worship God through singing together. Recommended worship songs: 
  
  • Gratitude by Brandon Lake
  • King of Kings by Hillsong Worship
  • Trust in God by Elevation Worship
    

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Maundy Thursday Reading

Choose different readers for each part, then go through the guide. Read unhurriedly with expression. 

Reader 1: Today, we observe Maundy Thursday, which was the night before Jesus was crucified. Maundy Thursday was two days before the Jewish Passover.  

Reader 2: Passover was instituted in the Old Testament. The people of Israel had been held captive for 400 years in Egypt, where they were slaves. Through Moses, God had sent 9 plagues to Egypt, in order to persuade the Egyptians to let the Israelites go free. But the Egyptians refused.  

Reader 3: So God told Moses to prepare the Israelites for one last plague: God would kill all of the firstborn in Egypt, both people and livestock. But God would not harm the people and livestock of Israel. After that, Egypt would let the Israelites go free, as God had promised centuries before that time. This event is called the Exodus. “Exodus” means “a going out.”  

Reader 4: The story of Joseph is a prequel to the Exodus. His story doesn’t just set the stage for the events of the Exodus. It points forward to how God would deliver the Hebrews in the Exodus. Just as God delivers one faithful man (Joseph), it is the same God who would deliver the people to whom He would establish His covenant. 

Reader 5: Read Genesis 50:15-21

Reader 6: This passage is the heart of the Joseph story, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. On the cross, He took the sin, death, and darkness that sin created and turned it into our salvation- the Good News that God rescues us. 

How has God rescued you? (Leave space for everyone to answer.) 

Reader 7: Two days before Passover, Jesus instituted Holy Communion. He thereby became the Passover Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.  

Reader 8: Read Luke 22:7-23

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Communion

• Serve one another the bread and juice, with the leader serving first. 
• When giving the bread and juice, say “the body and blood of Christ, broken for you.” 

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Closing Prayer 

Have someone read this prayer aloud: Jesus, You stepped into history to serve others and love the lost. As You washed Your disciples’ feet, You were present with them yet thinking of us. As we reflect on the last supper before You were betrayed, we are reminded of the ways You work all things for our good. We pray that we might point others toward the hope we have in You. We anticipate with joy the feast in heaven where we will see You face to face. Amen.