Family Lent and Easter activities that will help prepare your hearts for the season. Try these simple ideas to connect to Jesus!
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Maybe you’re asking, “What is Ash Wednesday and Lent? Should I participate in it myself or with my family?”
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent – the 40 days of prayer and fasting that represent Jesus’ time in the desert prior to his public ministry. Its name comes from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign that we need God and of the sacrifice Jesus would become on our behalf.
Many Christians observe Ash Wednesday (such as Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics) by attending a special service and having ashes placed on their foreheads. Though I have never participated in this tradition, I believe it is a beautiful symbol.
What is Lent?
Lent is a time set aside to help us prepare our hearts for Easter through prayer, repentance, sharing and sacrifice. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. When not counting Sundays, this equals 40 days. The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert (Matthew 4: 1-11).
What is fasting?
Fasting is the sacrifice of something (usually food or drink) for a period of time (a meal, a day, a week, etc) in order to focus more on God. When we give up something we enjoy, sometimes it can be hard. But it’s our opportunity to become closer to God through prayer and reliance on him. Getting closer to God is much more important than being strong enough to give something up on our own. So besides just fasting our favorite food or drink, we can observe Lent by giving up something we enjoy (treats, video games, TV shows) or adding a new habit (Bible reading, prayer, serving others) to change our life and grow closer to God. This is how Jesus prepared himself for his biggest test. And it’s a good way for us to grow in faith as well.
Whether you grew up celebrating this sacred season or have only recently been introduced to Ash Wednesday and Lent, I want to help you share the beauty of this tradition with your family. Today, I’m sharing a few simple ways you can participate in Lent (even if you never have before) and invite your children to learn about Jesus as you prepare your hearts to accept his gift of love this Easter season.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you click on a link and make a purchase, a small commission may be paid to Gather & Grow which helps keep this ministry going. So thank you! Read my full disclosure here.
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Have you downloaded our FREE family Lent devotional? Click here to find out more!
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5 Simple Lent + Easter Season Activities for Families
1. Give Up/Pick Up. While Lent is traditionally observed by sacrificing something dear as a form of penance, you can observe Lent by either giving up a beloved food or activity or picking up a new habit. If you plan to observe Lent as a family, consider giving up or adding something new each week during Lent.
The other night at the dinner table after we discussed the upcoming season, my daughter declared that she wanted to give up chocolate for Lent. I was pleasantly surprised at her enthusiasm and willingness to make the sacrifice. But I knew it would be hard. I encouraged her to pray about it and consider starting by giving up chocolate for one week. I don’t want to set her up to fail.
The first time we participate in fasting (especially with kids) it’s completely appropriate to start small and build up. The important thing is the willingness to alter our lives in an effort to draw closer to Jesus and depend on him for strength. How we do that will vary greatly and is a very personal decision with no right or wrong.
2. Follow a simple Lent/Easter season family devotional like the one we offer here at Gather & Grow. It focuses on God’s big love and Jesus’ sacrifice while teaching kids what it means to follow Jesus and live (and share) the abundant life he offers us. The devotional will teach your family about Lent and help you find ways to observe the season that work for you. Each weekly devotion can take as little as 10 minutes and includes a Bible verse (with printable cards), discussion questions, big take-away and truth in action idea. PLUS! New this year, listen to the companion Podcast devotions from BLOOMTOWN FAITH. Find out more and subscribe to the Podcast HERE.
Or you can use What’s In The Bible to learn about Jesus’ life. Volume 10 will walk your family through the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – where you and your kids can learn about Jesus’ life. You can find a summary and talking points for your family in this post to carry the conversation with you throughout the season. You can watch it on JellyTelly or grab the DVD in their store.
3. Share a family Passover meal. When I was in high school I had a friend who was Episcopalian. He invited me to his home to share a Seder dinner with his family. I was incredibly moved – even at the age of 16 – by the history and tradition that was represented in the meal. Since, my parents have participated themselves in the tradition with their Jewish friends. We never knew the depth of meaning we were missing out on and have thoroughly enjoyed the times we’ve engaged in a Passover meal with friends and loved ones. In this post, I share the traditional menu + talking points to help you lead your family through a Passover meal.
4. Use Sense of the Resurrection, from my friend, Amanda. This amazing experience will help your family engage in the Easter story bit-by-bit using your five senses. It includes crafts, tastings and memorial making allowing you to get a sense of what the death and resurrection of Jesus must have been like. A Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families contains 12 fun, hands-on, easy, meaningful activities to help your kids come face to face with the Easter story. It’s perfect if you want something a little more hands-on than our devotional (it’s especially wonderful for younger kids).
5. Complete a traditional reading of the Easter story such as our adaptation of the Scriptural Way of the Cross for Kids. Throughout Church history, people used symbols or pictures to explain stories and truths. Traditionally, churches have focused on what is called the “Stations of the Cross” at some point throughout the season of Lent. These “stations” are artistic representations of the Story and are often visible inside churches as paintings, sculptures or stained glass. In an effort to make them more directly linked to biblical text, Pope John Paul II adjusted the stations to The Scriptural Way of the Cross in 1991. Much like you may follow the days of Advent as you count down to Christmas, your family can follow the 14-station Scriptural Way of the Cross, as you prepare your hearts for Easter.
Check out this post on everything you need to know about Lent + Easter on the JellyTelly blog. It’s a round up of some amazing articles on how to talk to your kids about the season plus lots of other activities you can try!
Does your family observe Ash Wednesday and/or Lent? What does that look like in your home?
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Have you downloaded our FREE family Lent devotional? Click here to find out more!
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