The season of Lent beckons us on a journey of discipleship. The Lenten texts remind us of God’s unwavering love as we find the courage to look truthfully at ourselves and make changes. It is a time of preparation and reflection. It is also a challenging season for those of us involved in Christian Education. Some of the Lenten themes and stories are difficult, especially for younger children. How can we help them embrace the rich traditions and stories of Lent? How can we help provide an experience of Lent that will be meaningful for them?
I have found that it is best to keep things simple and easy. Here are a few resources that I have found helpful. I hope that they will provide you with some good ideas for your children’s ministry.
Bury the Alleluia – a simple activity that children really seem to enjoy.
Making pretzels – a traditional Lenten snack that children love to make.
A free Lenten calendar for families that can be printed and sent home with the children. This one is produced by the Uniting church in Australia
The temptation of Jesus – A Reflective story
Creating a special prayer ritual for Lent
A simple ongoing activity to help the children discover more about the season of Lent.
The Compendium of the Church Mice and the Virtual Church School both offer free lessons for the Season of Lent.
Finally if you have someone who in your congregation who is gifted at crafts you might ask them to make a Lenten Spiral. This idea could be simplified by arranging 6 votive tea candles along a spiral. Create a simple gathering ritual in which you light a pathway of candles that become progressively brighter as a new candle is added each week.
What will you be doing with the children in your church? What activities have you got planned for this Lent?
By Kyle Norman February 13, 2013 - 7:18 pm
Burying the alleluia is a great idea. I may just have to try that!
By Sharon Harding February 14, 2013 - 12:59 am
It is something children seem to love doing. I think they really enjoying hiding the Alleluia and then triumphantly revealing it again on Easter Day.
By Dawn Leger February 19, 2013 - 9:23 pm
Here’s what I want to do one year. Invite the kids to colour cards with the word Alleluia on them, then, put them into a big refrigerator box, maybe add a mail slot. On Holy Saturday, purchase helium balloons for each card and attach to each card and stuff them all in the refrigerator box so, on Easter Sunday, when you open up the box and the kids go looking for their cards, the balloons burst out.
I’d probably add some inhaled balloons to the bottom of the box, then let the kids bounce those up and down and play with them while the congregation sings a song.
By Sharon Harding February 20, 2013 - 1:24 am
I love this idea! Can you imagine the children’s delight when the balloons take off?