Week of 3/29/26: Returning To The God Who Saves Us

SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Rooted in Repentance
Weekly Theme: Be the Church - Returning to the God Who Saves us
Weekly Fast: Busyness
Sermon Text: Acts 7:1-53
Primary Reading:
    • Palm Sunday: Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:28-40
    • Holy Monday: Isaiah 56:1-8; Luke 19:41-48
    • Holy Tuesday: Psalm 118:19-27; Psalm 110; Luke 20
    • Spy Wednesday: Luke 21; Mark 14:1-11
    • Maundy Thursday: Isaiah 50:4-10; Luke 22:1-65
    • Good Friday: Psalm 22:1-18; Luke 22:66-23:56
    • Silent Saturday: Isaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53; Luke 23:56
Kids’ Readings (Jesus Storybook Bible): The Servant King (John 13), A Dark Night in the Garden (Matthew 26, John 18), The Sun Stops Shining (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23)
Memory Verses (Through April 4th): Psalm 51:1–4 (ESV)
 [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
 [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
 [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 
 [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
  so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 

1 | Theme Reflection - “Returning To The God Who Saves Us”
Holy Week is the slow descent into the deepest mystery of our faith:
the innocent One betrayed, the humble King lifted up, the suffering Servant bruised for our healing.

Acts 7:1–53 reveals Stephen recounting the long story of God —
a story of covenant, rescue, rebellion, patience, promise, and finally the Righteous One Himself.
Holy Week places us inside that same story.

This week, we return not merely to events but to the Person to whom all Scripture points.
In the triumphal entry, we see the King who comes in humility.
In the temple, we meet the Judge who purifies His house.
In the upper room, we receive the love that kneels to wash feet.
In Gethsemane, we watch the obedience that trembles but does not turn away.
At the cross, we behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
And in His silence on Saturday, we learn to wait for God with hope.

A fast from busyness slows us long enough to actually enter this story —
to listen with attention, to pray with stillness, to remember with awe.

To return to the God that saves us is to let the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus become the defining truth of our week, our desires, our griefs and our hopes.

2 | Daily Reading Rhythm

3 | Practice of the Week - A Fast from Busyness
Why a Fast from Busyness for Adults?
In a culture that glorifies busyness, this fast invites you to slow down and make room for Sabbath rest, prayer and stillness with God.
Scripture
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Reflection
What commitments or distractions are keeping me from being fully present with God and others?
How can I create intentional margin in my life?
Encouragement
Block out unhurried time for prayer. Family quiet reflection each day, allowing God to fill the spaces where busyness once ruled.
Prayer
Lord of rest,
Teach me to slow down and abide in You.
Help me to let go of unnecessary busyness and to be still before You.
May my time and energy reflect Your priorities,
and may my soul find true rest in Your love.
Amen.
4 | Family Guide - Helping Kids Engage the Fast
Why a Fast from Busyness for Families?
Holy Week invites us to slow down and fully engage with Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection, instead of rushing from one thing to the next. We can pause, pray, and prepare our hearts. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). This fast helps us make space for what matters most - Jesus.
Ideas for Kids
  • Set aside extra time each day to read about Jesus’ last days before Easter.
  • Take a break from extra activities and spend quiet time together reflecting on Jesus.
  • Make space for worship - light a candle, pray, or sing a favorite song about Jesus.
Kid’s Prayer
Jesus, help me slow down and remember You.
Thank You for loving me and giving me peace.
Amen.
Conversation Starters
Why do we feel busy sometimes?
What do you think Jesus was thinking about during His last week?
How can we make more time to focus on Jesus this week?

    5 | Doctrinal Focus - The Cross & The Lamb of God
    Holy Week anchors us in the heart of the gospel:
    that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.

    Isaiah 53 shows the suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions.
    Psalm 22 reveals the Messiah abandoned and mocked - yet trusting.
    The Gospels show the Lamb silent before His accusers, praying for His enemies,
    and giving His life as a ransom for many.

    To be the Church is to be a people formed by the cross -
    a people who die to self, forgive like Jesus, love one another and their enemies,
    and cling to the hope that just as Jesus went from crucifixion to resurrected glory, that we too through our union with him can be confident that as we endure in suffering we know our ultimate end is resurrected glory. 

    The Belgic Confession Article 20 (1561) 
    20. That God has manifested his justice and mercy in Christ
    We believe that God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent his Son to assume that nature, in which the disobedience was committed, to make satisfaction in the same, and to bear the punishment of sin by his most bitter passion and death. God therefore manifested his justice against his Son, when he laid our iniquities upon him; and poured forth his mercy and goodness on us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation, out of mere and perfect love, giving his Son unto death for us, and raising him for our justification, that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.
    6 | Missional Focus - Bearing Witness to the Crucified King
    Holy Week is the Church’s greatest evangelistic moment -
    not through programs, but presence.
    Ask the Spirit this week:
    Who needs to hear the story of Jesus?
    Who needs an invitation to Easter worship? Take a step of faith and invite them!
    Who needs mercy, presence, or prayer?

    Mission begins at the foot of the cross.

    7 | Community Group Discussion Questions
    From the Sermon (Text - Acts 7:1-53)
        1. What themes in Stephen’s retelling of Israel’s story prepare us for Jesus’ passion?
        2. How does Stephen’s vision of the glorified Christ shape our understanding of Holy Week?
    From the Readings
        1. What moments in the Holy Week readings reveal Jesus’ humility most clearly?
        2. How do the prophets prepare us to understand the cross?
    From Personal Reflection
        1. What practices help you slow down and be present with Jesus this week?
        2. How does busyness distract you from receiving or offering Christ’s love?
    From Community Life
        1. How can our group intentionally inhabit Holy Week together?
        2. Who can our group pray for or serve in light of Christ’s sacrifice?
    Questions for Children
        1. Why did Jesus wash His friends’ feet?
        2. Why did Jesus pray in the garden?
        3. Why did Jesus die on the cross?
        4. How can we slow down and think about Jesus this week?

    8 | Closing Prayer
    Father, creator of all things,
    You are worthy of all praise,
    God of perfect mercy and justice,
    Sovereign God, perfect in all things.
    Praise your holy name!

    Lord Jesus Christ,
    Son of God,
    Bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,
    You willingly submitted to your Father,
    Humbling yourself to the point of death, even death on a Cross,
    Your bore our sins and took upon yourself our punishment,
    Love for your Father and love for us held you on that Cross,
    Perfect love and perfect justice kissed,
    Lord of Lords, the lamb who was slain,
    Praise your holy name! 

    Holy Spirit,
    Sent by the Father and the Son,
    You have given us life, you are life!
    Thank you for giving us eyes to see and ears to hear,
    Please grow our affections for You, the triune God,
    Please renew our minds and our thinking according to your word,
    Make us obedient and humble children,
    Build your church into a Holy Temple of the Lord,
    Give us a harvest as we proclaim the name of Jesus!
    Praise your holy name!

    Amen