chadashby.com collegestreetbc.org

⌘ Easter & Holy Week Scripture Memory Guide This seven-day guide will help you celebrate Easter wherever you find yourself. Each day of Holy Week is paired with a verse from Romans 8. Over the course of the week, you will memorize one additional verse, totaling 7 verses. As you will see, each verse connects with events from the life of Jesus leading up to his death and resurrection. Romans 8:31-37 is a passage every Christian ought to have memorized. Challenge your family or some friends to learn these seven verses together, one for each day:

Write the verses down on a notecard. Turn them into a calligraphy or watercolor. Do an art project, write a song, or make a craft inspired by each verse. Be creative! In addition to the verse, you will find in this guide a brief meditation, a passage from the Gospels to read, and a song. There is also a very minimal activity involving a candle—something you probably already have handy at home—that can add some significance to your Easter celebrations. May this guide help you as we celebrate the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Easter!

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:31-37)

Grace and peace, Chad Ashby

Palm Sunday & Holy Monday

Read Matthew 21:1-11. On Palm Sunday, we remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem as King of Peace, knowing it would prove to be the City of Violence: the place of his predestined execution. Notice how Romans 8:31 captures the attitude of Christ as he rides through the city’s gates: If God is for us, who can be against us? Even if all humanity joined together to condemn and crucify him, God himself would vindicate his Son. Find a large candle and place it in the center of the table. Light it each day of the week. For Palm Sunday, place some fronds, branches, or grass under it. Sing “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” and Pray.

Holy Tuesday

Read John 12:27-36. On Holy Tuesday, we recall how Jesus predicted his own death after arriving Jerusalem. In John’s gospel, Jesus speaks to the Father, and God the Father reveals that he will be glorified in delivering up his Son for our sake. As Paul reminds us, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all...” The cross is a willing sacrifice of the Father, not sparing even his own Son in his pursuit of us. Have someone carry the candle around the table, and have the rest of the household walk behind. Place the candle on a pedestal in the middle of the table. Sing “Man of Sorrows” and Pray.

Romans 8:31—What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:32—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Spy Wednesday

Read Matthew 26:1-12. Matthew tells the story of the scheming priests and the hiring of Judas as their spy with an interruption: the anointing of Jesus. While the priests plot and Judas hides in the shadows, we see that Jesus is not being duped. False charges, betrayals, and injustice cannot harm God’s elect Messiah. Christ’s death will be a willing sacrifice—a pleasing aroma to God. Cast thirty cents at the foot of the candle. Also, use a finger dipped in a bit of olive oil to carefully “anoint” the foot of the candle. Sing “Before the Throne of God Above” and Pray.

Tenebrae & Maundy Thursday

Read Matthew 26:26-30; 56-68. Traditionally, Tenebrae commemorates the period beginning at Jesus’s betrayal until Easter morning. Thursday evening Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples. Afterwards, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested and brought to a midnight trial before the chief priests. They sought false witnesses against Jesus, but even blatant lies couldn’t secure his guilt! Who could condemn Jesus? In the end, the only charge that stuck was the truth: He claimed to be the Son of God. At a traditional Tenebrae service the candles are blown out one by one to symbolize the falling of darkness upon the earth in preparation for Christ’s death. Blow out your candle, and keep it unlit until Easter morning. Sing “Nearer My God, to Thee” and Pray.

Romans 8:33—Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:34—Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Good Friday

Read Matthew 27:27-50; John 19:34-35. Jesus our Savior suffered tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and the sword—for us. This is the love of Christ on display at the cross. Stripped of his garments, mocked by all mankind, pierced through by nails and a spear. As the blood and water poured from his side, it came from his heart. May we have faith to trust in his all-saving love! Leave the candle unlit and unadorned. Sing “There Is a Fountain” and Pray.

Black Saturday

In verse 36, Paul is quoting from Psalm 44, a song of lament crying out for the justice of the Almighty God. God’s faithful ones face persecution, slaughter, and death at the hands of wicked men and the injustice seems to go unpunished. The Psalmist cries out, “Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!" (Psalms 44:23-26) As the body of Christ lies dormant in the grave, his people cry out for his vindication: Rise up, O Lord! Leaving the candle unlit, lay a black cloth over the candle. Sing “What Wondrous Love Is This?” and Pray.

Romans 8:35—Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:36—As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

Easter Sunday

Read Matthew 28:1-10. Paul’s confidence in verse 37 springs from the truth of Easter Sunday. We are more than conquerors because Christ our Savior has triumphed over the grave! Like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, we look forward to the day we will see him, we will hear him say, “Greetings!” and we will be able to fall at his feet and worship him. We will not be afraid. Christ Jesus has conquered. Whatever we may face—whether persecution, famine, distress, danger, or sword, we know that they cannot have ultimate victory. The God of Love marches forth from the grave in royal parade. May all who hear the news follow him! Relight the candle and leave it lit for the remainder of Easter. Sing “O Church, Arise” and Pray.

Romans 8:37—No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

™™

1. Be fore-

the

tempts

there,

throne

C

me

the

of

to

ris

God

F/C

des

a

en-

pair,

Lamb!

bove,

C

-

-

and

My

I

tells

per

have

me

fect,

a

-

of

spot

strong

the

less

and

-

guilt

right

per

with

eous

fect

-

-

-

-

q = 76

plea

in,

ness.

E‹

up

The

a

ward

great

great

-I

un

High

look

change

Priest

F

-

and

a

whose

-

see

ble

name

-

Him

I

is

there,

AM,

Love,

A‹

who

the

who

made

King

ev

an

of

er-

end

Glo

lives

F

to

and

ry-

all

and

pleads

my

of

for

5

sin.

Grace.

me.

C

Be

One

My

cause

with

name

-the

Him

is

sin

self,

grav

F

less

I

en

-

-

Sav

can

on

ior

not

His

-

-

died,

die.

hands.

G

my

My

My

sin

soul

name

ful

is

is

-soul

writ

pur

F

is

chased

ten

D‹7

-

-

count

by

on

ed

His

His

-

9

free.

blood.

heart.

A‹ C/E

For

My

I

God,

life

know

the

is

that

Just,

hid

while

F

is

with

in

sat

Christ

heav'n

is

on

He

- fied

high,

stands,

A‹

- to

with

no

look

Christ,

tongue

on

my

can

Him

Sav

bid

F

and

ior

me

-

par

and

thence

don

my

de

G

-

-

13

™™

me,

God,

part,

A‹

to

with

no

look

Christ,

tongue

on

my

can

Him

Sav

bid

F

and

ior

me

-

par

and

thence

G

don

my

de

-

God.

part.

C

-

G A‹ F C G A‹ F

2. When Sat an-

1.

17

©1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. From 30: Three Decades of Songs

for the Church. All rights reserved. Administrated worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK which is adm.

by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org CCLI #2306412

™™

me.

B¨ A‹ B¨ F G

3. Be hold-

Him

2.

23

3

4

4

4

3

4

4

4

3

4

3

4

&

Words by Charitie Lees Bancroft

Alt. Words and Music by Vikki Cook

BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

as performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty

&

&

< >

&

< >

&

3.

&

Œ ‰

œ

j

œœ

œ

œ

œ

œ œ™

œ

j

œœ

œ

œ

œ

œ

Ϫ

œ

j

œ

œœ

œ

œœ

Ϫ

œ

j

œ

œœ ™

œ

œ

œ

œ

‰œ

J

œœ

œœ

œ

œ œ™

œ

J

œœ

œœ

œœ

œ ™œ

J

œœ

œœ

œœ

Ϫ

œ

j

œ

œœ

œ

œ

œ

Ϫ

œ

j

œ

œœ

œ

œ™œ

j

˙™

V V V V V V V

Ó ‰

œ

j

œœ

˙™

V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

Œ ‰

œ

j

œœ

With Triumph (q = 69)

O Church, Arise

Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music/Adm. by worshiptogether.com songs

excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Kingsway Music. tym@kingsway.co.uk.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Words and Music by

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

1.O

4.So

2.Our3.Come

Church,callseeSpir

A7sus

atotheit-

rise,war–

cross,come,

D

- andto

whereput

putlovelove

strength

yourtheandin

arcapmerev

G/B

mortivecyery

----

on;soul,meet,stride,

A/C#

hearbutasgive

thetothe

callrageSon

grace

D

ofaoffor

D/F#

ChristgainstGodev

G

-ourtheis

'ry-

Capcap

strickhur

A7

--

-

en;dle,

tor;tain.

D

For

that

AndThen

nowwithseewe

A7sus

thetheHismay run

foes

weaksword

D

canthatlie

with

saymakes

crushedfaith

thatthebeto

theywoundneathwin

-

G/B

areedHisthe

-strongwhole,feet,

prize

A/C#

inweforof

thewillthea

Conserv

fightstrength

D

thatwithquerant

D/F#

--

Godfaith

ergood

G

-

hasandhasand

givvalris

faith

A7

en.or.en!ful.

D

---- As

And

WithWhen

shieldfaced

assaints

D/F#

of

withtheof old

faithtrialsstone

G andonis

still

beltev

rolledline

D/F#

of'ryathe

--

22

truth,side,wayway,

Asus

A

we'llweandre

standknowChrist

tell

D/F#

-

athee

ing-

gainstoutmertri

G -

-

thecomeges

umphs

--

-

devis

fromof

D/F#

il'ssetheHis

-

Bm7

lies;cure,

grave,grace,

A

-an

we

andthis

arChrist

vichear

A7sus

mywillt'ry

their

-

-

calls

bold,havemarch

D

whosetheconand

batprizetinhun

-

tleforuesger

-

--

crywhich

tillfor

G/B

- is

Hethethe

love,died–dayday

A/C#

reach

anev

when

ingin'ry

with

-

-

outhereye

Christ

D

-toit

andwe

D/F#

-thoseanceheartstand

G

-inof

shallin

darknaseeglo

A7

--

-

1.2.

4.

Him.tions.ness.

ry.

D

G

D5

3.

4.So

2.Our3.Come

callseeSpir

A7sus

totheit-

D5

O Church, Arise

23