Interesting history, fun activities, and meaningful ways to prepare, reflect, and renew your hearts together.
Lent is a season of hope — a time to mark what is now and not yet at the same time. Families around the world observe the 40-day period with times of prayer and preparation culminating with a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. His new life brings ours to life! We trust this resource will help you intentionally guide your children through the Lenten season and into Easter.
Don’t miss the extra content we’ve included for you to download and enjoy together, as you walk through Holy Week this year!
Easter is filled with joy—He is risen! Where I live, it is a season of rebirth across the board—as if Earth is hinting at what’s to come after the hardship of a cold Colorado winter. Plants spring back to life as the soil begins to warm. Even before the grass greens up, hardy, early-season flowers emerge—announcing themselves with happy color, reminding us that Easter is right around the corner. And so are the fun festivities that come with Jesus’ new life!
When my kids were little, we made the most of the still-cold days of Lent that lead up to Easter. To me, it’s as if the earth is hinting at what is to come—we are invited to make ready for the greatest, holiest day of our faith. While not part of a liturgical community, our family’s tradition is to prepare our hearts with special devotions, Bible stories, and outings—activities that include egg baskets and cute bunnies but draw our reflections much deeper.
Lent is a season also known as “Eastertide.” So, welcome to the season! Millions of Christians worldwide observe this significant period in the Christian calendar. Understanding Lent’s history, purpose, and practices deepens the meaning of Easter for families wanting to enrich their faith and enliven their traditions. Just like flowers in Spring, we hope exploring the roots of Lent—its connection to the Christian calendar and the significance of key events like Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter/Resurrection Sunday—will grow your walk with God.
Before Jesus began his ministry years, his cousin, John the Baptist, was urging people to “prepare the way for the Lord.” For people who love Jesus, Lent is an invitation to
In the Bible, Isaiah 40 and Mark 1 both tell us to get ready: “Prepare the way for the Lord, and make straight the paths for him.” But what does that mean?
Think of preparing your heart like asking the Lord to help you with some “spiritual spring cleaning.” For some, spring cleaning is an annual fresh start—a time to declutter, deep clean, and cleanse the environment of what could create illness.
Lent is an opportunity to do similar things in our Christian life. Here are some tried and true suggestions to help put away the heaviness of winter in your walk with God.
First, spend time each day alone and quiet before Him. Take some deep calming breaths as you remember the words of Samuel, 1 Samuel 3: 10- 11: “And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”
Then, be ready to listen. Daily, ask the Holy Spirit to help you prepare for Easter —to help you spring clean your spiritual house—as you reflect on a question like:
Preparation requires pacing yourself. Simply begin where you are and take time as you can to go deeper. As you reflect on the questions above, notice if there are themes. Look up Bible verses about what you sense God telling you. For example, do you struggle with anger? Read what James 1:19-20 has to say. And remember, observing Lent doesn’t “earn” you anything in God’s sight. He wants to be with you and is working right alongside in anything He calls your attention to.
The questions and activities we’ve included will help you guide your kids’ hearts in the process of praying about their lives, reflecting on Easter scriptures, and clearing out what doesn’t grow their life with God.
The History, significance, and meaning of the 40 Days of Lent are reflected throughout the Scripture.
The observation of Lent is rooted in the early Christian Church. The season takes its name from the Old English word “lencten,” meaning spring. Lent takes place over a forty-day period. In Scripture, the number “40” symbolizes times of testing, trial, growth, and preparation for the miraculous work of God, for example:
In Matthew 3:16-17, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and the Spirit of God descended on Him, announcing His Sonship. “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Following His baptism, Jesus’ 40 days of prayer, fasting, and preparation began. Jesus was about to enter the wilderness. It required spiritual discipline.
The wilderness is where the forty days of Lent enter the Easter picture.
After His baptism, Jesus was immediately “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” to be tested by the devil (Matthew 4:1). During that time, Jesus withdrew from worldly comforts. The Bible says that this 40-day period of solitude, prayer, and fasting marked the beginning of His three-year earthly ministry.
The wilderness was a lonely, bleak, and twisted piece of limestone desert located in a remote area between Jerusalem and cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. Out there, no physical consolation was available—things were getting real. He was all alone —or was He? Imagine the conversations He must have had with His Father. This solitary stretch of wasteland brought Him opportunities to seek and deeply connect with God.
The wilderness was a hard place and a hard time—but it was necessary. It prepared Jesus. At times, we all experience wilderness. We may
Scripturally, the forty days of Lent reflect Jesus’ time in the wilderness. He knew God’s plan and the sacrifice He would make to lay down His life. In the wilderness, Jesus prepared. He gave Himself up.
This explains why people talk about “giving up things” for Lent.
And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’; And ‘On their hands they will lift You up, so that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him. —Matthew 4:1-11
Satan seems to lie in wait at desolate times like these, doesn’t he? At the end of Jesus’ forty days, when He must have been a weak and vulnerable point, the devil came to test him. He offered Jesus three things:
Jesus responded with the truth of God’s Word to each temptation the devil offered. And the devil left Him. (Matthew 4:11)
Some practical ways to prepare your hearts.
Throughout Jesus’ life, He studied God’s word. It was a large part of His preparation. Of course, it is a wonderful part of our life as disciples, too —especially during Lent. Remember, Jesus spent time in prayer and fasting. Here are some ideas for you and your family to try.
Choose a family-friendly fast, such as temporarily giving up a particular treat, show, habit, or screen time. Talk about the purpose of fasting and how it connects to self-discipline and drawing closer to God. Pray about how you can use your sacrifice to connect with Him instead.
Spend time outdoors in nature, taking walks or hikes as a family. (Adjust the length of your walk to fit the age and limitations of your kids.) Before you begin your trek, pray together or read a passage about God’s creation. During your walk, encourage everyone to walk quietly—praying, reflecting, and connecting with God. Share about the time you had with the Lord.
Encourage everyone to write down prayers or blessings throughout the week and keep them in a jar on your mealtime table (help note prayers for any children too young to write). Model how to do it— adding to the collection throughout Lent. Read the entries aloud several times each week and encourage one another as a family.
Make Eggs-tra Special Sacrifices of Grace. Write down acts of grace on strips of paper. Include undeserved acts of kindness, service, or related verses. Make them simple tasks like writing notes of encouragement, performing chores, saying something kind, or serving others. Then, place each act of grace (one slip of paper) inside a plastic egg.
Once per week, read the words of John 3:16 as a reminder before family members choose an egg. Give each person 48 hours to complete their act of grace and share their experience.
Specifically ask:
Each family member writes a person they have forgiven, need to forgive, or has forgiven them. Discuss the incredible and life-giving gift of forgiveness. Talk about ways the family can foster a culture of forgiveness (a culture of deeper love). Discuss how asking for forgiveness and forgiving are both courageous decisions and behaviors.
Just as Jesus prepared for His years of ministry, His followers observe the days leading up to Easter as a time of spiritual preparation. Each year on the Christian Calendar, Lent invites us to pray, reflect, sacrifice, and serve as He did. In this way, we share the celebration of Easter together.
Using a Children’s Bible, read John 3:1-4:11
What do we celebrate at Easter?
Do you know what Lent is?
Why do we prepare when guests are coming to visit? What do we do?
Do you think God wants our hearts to be clean and ready for company?
Is Lent hard or easy?
Does God like us to have fun? How can we celebrate and think about Jesus as we get ready for Easter?
How can we keep Easter in our hearts all year?
Take turns reading John 3:1-4:11
What is Lent?
Do you know why it is right before Easter?
Is Lent hard? Why?
Have you ever asked God to clean up anything in your heart? What happened next?
What do you want to pray about in your life as we get ready for Easter this year?
How do you want God to help you prepare your heart during Lent?
Can you think of some ways we can keep our hearts prepared all year-round?
Read John 3:1-4:11
Do you know why Lent is forty days long?
Why is Lent hard?
Why did Jesus go out to the Wilderness after John the Baptist baptized Him?
If Jesus didn’t know God’s Word well, what do you think would have happened when the devil tested Him with food, fame, and power?
What does that tell you about the things that tempt you?
What do you do to prepare for Easter?
How can we make prayer, fasting, and reflection a family practice—keep our hearts prepared year-round?
If you aren’t aware of the Christian Calendar, you may not know when and why people celebrate the season of Lent or Eastertide. Along with some other sacred seasons, Lent is a prominent event on it! For believers, the Christian calendar recounts the Gospel narrative. Every year, it guides the retelling and festivities of our shared salvation story—Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. It structures the worship, liturgy, and celebrations of our Christian community. Many denominations—Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Evangelicals—follow these rhythms. (Catholic and Orthodox Christian calendars vary slightly, celebrating even more feasts and seasons throughout the year.)
Holy Week encompasses everything that happened the week Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the discovery of the empty tomb on the following Easter Sunday.
On this day, practitioners apply ashes — made from burning the previous year’s Palm Sunday fronds — in the shape of a cross on the forehead to mark the beginning of Lent. These symbolize repentance and mortality and mark the beginning of 40 days of temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
Commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem described in Matthew 21:1- 11.
As Jesus passed by, the gathered crowd waved palm branches and sang the words of Psalm 118:25-26 They recognized Jesus as the Messiah God had promised.
Though the Thursday before Easter is a significant day in the Lenten season. This day commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper, His final Passover meal, with His disciples. Three notable events happened that evening, leaving their mark on biblical history.
First, as a servant would typically do before dinner, Jesus humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet. Second, on this night, Jesus demonstrated and issued the mandate (the Latin word “maundy”) of John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Third, it was at this table that Judas drank the cup as the one who would betray Jesus. After this meal, Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus, acknowledging the sacrifice made for the redemption of humanity (Matthew 27:24-61).
Christ had not yet been resurrected on Holy Saturday. For many, this day represents Jesus’ victorious descent into hell on our behalf.
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, triumph over sin and death, and the promise of new life for all who believe (Matthew 28:1-20).
As you and your family explore the season of Lent, we encourage you to slow down. Reflecting on the significant events leading up to Easter grows faith, and the spiritual experiences you share will last a lifetime! As you walk with God and one another through Lent and Holy Week, may the journey bring Jesus’ resurrection and ongoing grace to life.
Want more fun ideas to help you and your kids draw closer to God as a family as you celebrate Easter? No matter what age and stage your kids are, each activity is designed to foster spiritual growth, conversation, and a deeper understanding of what faith in Jesus is all about. Pick a few activities to practice with your kids as you prepare for Easter.
Embracing the joy of Easter together strengthens faith, builds bonds, establishes lasting traditions, and makes great memories!
God’s banner over us is love! Craft a family Easter banner or decorate a cross with symbols representing aspects of Jesus’ journey, grace, and forgiveness. Older kids may have fun creating a banner for the door to their room.
Foster family bonds by prepping and cooking together. Make Easter cookies, imagine the Last Supper together over dinner some evening, or share time making Easter brunch. Demonstrate the importance of hospitality and community by inviting others to an Easter meal.
Watch a classic Easter movie. (Be sure you pick something age-appropriate.) Then, talk it over. Start a family discussion, inviting everyone to share their ideas. Ask: What did you notice? How did they make you feel? Did you learn anything new that you hadn’t noticed before?
Share the following little known facts or—better yetcreate your own trivia contest. See who answers the most questions correctly:
Amy Pierson is the Manager of Special Projects for Focus on the Family/Family Ministries, author, speaker, and creative champion of spiritual transformation. She and her husband, Bill, live in Denver, inspired by their adult children and growing family.
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