Family Activities for Good Friday

Good Friday is one of the most important days on a Christian's calendar. It is the day Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and buried in a tomb, only to rise the following Sunday, which is observed by the holiday of Easter. There are various family activities to help you celebrate this holy day with your children.

Explanation

Talk to the children in your family and ask them if they know why the family is honoring Good Friday. If they do not know, explain to them it is recognized to honor the day when Jesus Christ died so people could be forgiven of their sins. Explain to the children that because of this, anyone can become a Christian by simply praying and asking to be forgiven.

Meals

Bake a hot cross bun for dessert. This is one of the most traditional foods that are used to observe Good Friday. If you are Catholic, cook very simple, small meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Protestants can eat normal meals, but regardless of your denomination, sit with your family when eating a meal and have one person read scriptures from the Bible regarding Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

Services

If your church has a parish service, attend that service with your family. Take part in communion during the part of the service and use the service as a time of meditation. If you want to continue the service when you get home, use the time to read Scripture and allow everyone to sit in silence as they continue to honor the day.

Music

Listen to special music to honor the day. J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion" and/or an album of Gregorian chants is appropriate for this day. Play the pieces all day if you want to, and allow it to replace secular activities such as television, video games, reading secular literature and the Internet.

Crafts

To honor Good Friday, an activity the entire family can enjoy is to cut out large crosses from poster boards. The amount of crosses you want to cut out is up to you; you can even let every family member design his/her own cross. Feel free to decorate the crosses by writing your favorite scriptures on the cross, decorating it in colored tissue, glitter, flower, and so on. Use it as a reminder on Good Friday, the Easter weekend, and beyond the importance of these holidays in your Christian faith.

Movie

Watch the film "The Passion of the Christ" with your family. Although it is a great tool for helping people understand how much Christ suffered during his final hours, the film is very graphic. Use your best judgement when determining if your children are old enough and mature enough to view the film. By viewing the film and watching Jesus Christ's crucifixion, you will be reminded how much of a sacrifice he made for you as a Christian. This would be an ideal way to end the day, as you and your family will be reminded as you go to sleep just how much of a sacrifice Christ made for you and how important Good Friday is to you as a Christian.

References

• Catholic Culture: Good Friday Activities in the Home
• Faith at Home: Good Friday