The Lent Experiment

I’d like to ask you all to come along on a journey with me. Since I began attending my church 3 years ago, I’ve been greatly moved by my pastor’s heart for liturgy and traditionalism in the walk of faith. Having grown up in a Charismatic, evangelical church, I hadn’t become familiar with practices such as the observance of Lent or First Communion.

I’ve enjoyed the Advent journey over the past couple of years {and I hope you all enjoyed it this past year as well}. But honestly, my relationship with Advent was largely due to Pinterest. I admit it. I first started thinking about Advent when I started to see all those adorable, homemade Advent countdown calendars on Pinterest. The whole vision for the Truth for Tiny Hearts Journey of Advent came after realizing I was not crafty enough to make it cute so I’d make it meaningful.  This, combined with a great respect for my pastor’s leadership in Christian liturgy, fueled my passion for the project.

And then I fell in love with the idea of creating a journey for my child’s tiny heart. I became inspired by a desire to help her understand The Story and her place in it. While writing through the Advent journey this past year, I realized I didn’t want my telling of The Story to end. I wanted it to keep going.

Last year in his sermon on Lent, my pastor explained that Lent is a journey that moves us towards the cross. While it’s traditionally been the sacrifice of something dear as a form of penance, he believes that the observance of Lent can be the addition or subtraction of something in your life to enhance your spiritual journey and further focus you on Christ during the Easter season.

I love his explanation because it makes Lent so much more accessible to the average person. And it makes it possible to share the observance of Lent with my children – as a family. So I’ve been thinking. . .let’s experiment. Let’s introduce Lent – and with it a journey toward to cross – to our children.

I am asking you to pray this weekend about joining me. Talk it over with your family. Consider what The Lent Experiment could look like in your home. I’m laying out what I plan to do with our family below. It’s a work in progress. . .an experiment. . .but it’s a start. I’d love your ideas and feedback along the way.

The Lent Experiment @ graceformoms.com

Lent is traditionally observed from Ash Wednesday through Easter Eve – when not counting Sundays {as is typically the case} – this equals 40 days. Thought to be a commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as he prepared for public ministry, different denominations calculate the 40 days differently. For our purposes, we’ll keep it simply Ash Wednesday {Feb 13} through Easter Eve {March 30} – excluding Sundays.

Quite simply, to participate, pray about what your family might add or subtract for your daily lives as an opportunity to focus more on Christ.

Ideas for addition might include: a family devotional time, an act of service or a daily practice of gratitude.

Ideas for subtraction might include: a favorite food {ice cream? gasp!}, a favorite toy or TV show.

Especially since you will be involving children, it’s important not to make it too extreme. It’s not about how much you add or give up. It’s about the willingness to alter your life in an effort to draw closer to Christ.

The Schedule

Wednesday, February 13 -  Ash Wednesday. Get together as a family and discuss what you will add or subtract over the next 40 days. Talk and pray about the journey ahead.

Nothing major needs to happen every day except perhaps natural discussion about the process since your children may draw attention to what they are giving up or may become excited about what you are adding. There are no rules to this experiment so make it what you want. God’s spirit will guide you.

Since each Sunday is not counted in the 40 days of Lent, it’s up to you whether you want to allow your child to enjoy what they’ve otherwise given up or take a break from what you’ve added. What I am encouraging is that those Sundays be used for a devotional time to lead your child through the story of Christ’s life. I recommend using the New Living Translation for sharing these verses with your children.

Sunday, February 17 -  Share the story of Simeon’s prophesy in Luke 2:33-35. Explain to your child that after his birth, this prophet {remind them what a prophet is if you followed along our Advent journey and have had this discussion before} shared with Jesus’ parents that his life would bring joy to many but many would oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.

Sunday, February 24 – Talk about Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. If you feel your child is old enough, begin to discuss the act of baptism and what it means. Explain that although Jesus did not need to be baptized {and John was confused as to why the Lord would want to be baptized by him} Jesus shared that we all must carry out what God requires. He was setting an example.

Sunday, March 3 – Share about Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry. Use various verses throughout the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Choose your favorite story of healing or a parable that speaks to you. Explain to your child that Jesus’ life was about proclaiming the power and goodness of his Father, God. This purpose was the very thing that threatened and upset the leaders of that time.

Sunday, March 10 -  Tell your child about the choosing of the 12 apostles in Matthew 10:1-42. We read in Luke 6:12-16 that Jesus prayed all night prior to choosing among all of his disciples for the 12 that he believed were destined to be his representatives. These 12 weren’t extraordinary by any means. They weren’t perfect. But they were willing and passionate about sharing the ways of Jesus.

Traditionally, churches have focused on the Stations of the Cross at some point throughout Lent. These stations or artistic representations of the story are often visible inside the church. 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 we followed along the days of Advent as we counted down to Christmas, I think it would be wonderfully meaningful to follow the 14 station Scriptural Way of the Cross for the last 2 weeks of Lent.

Before you begin The Scriptural Way of the Cross, considering finding a good time to share a Passover meal or simply talk about The Last Supper with your child while taking communion together as a family. {Luke 22:7-30}

Sunday, March 17 -  Saturday, March 23

Scriptural Way of the Cross 1-7

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested – Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin – Matthew 26:57-64Jesus is denied by Peter – Matthew 26:69-75Jesus is judged by Pilate – Matthew 27:11-26
Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns – Matthew 27:27-31
Jesus takes up His cross – Matthew 27:31

Sunday, March 24 – Saturday, March 30

Scriptural Way of the Cross 8-14

Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross – Matthew 27:32
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem – Luke 23:27-31
Jesus is crucified – Matthew 27:35-37
Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief – Luke 23:32-43
Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other – John 19:25-27
Jesus dies on the cross – Luke 23:44-47
Jesus is laid in the tomb – Luke 23:50-56

Easter Sunday, March 31 – Be sure to complete this journey by sharing the Good News with your children. Jesus’ purpose in dying on the cross was to save us from our sins. . .to provide a way for us to access the Father. Tell your children about the amazing end to this story by sharing the resurrection – the very miracle we celebrate at Easter. Read Matthew 28:1-10 together.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Now pray this prayer together:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the work you did for us on the cross. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and leading the way for me to know your Father, God. Your resurrection is a reminder that you are Lord and able to do amazing miracles in us and around us. We trust you with our lives today Jesus. Thank you for loving us enough to die. Amen.

How does your family celebrate Lent and/or Easter? We’d love to hear your ideas as we journey together.

{Photo Credit}

Jessica Wolstenholm

Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of Grace for Moms. She is passionate about writing words of grace for moms and moms-to-be. Co-author of The Pregnancy Companion book, she also blogs about TTC, infertility & pregnancy at ThePregnancyCompanion.com

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