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 didn’t have first-hand experience with practices such as the observance of Lent or First Communion before now.
Last year in his sermon on Lent, my pastor explained that Lent is a journey that moves us toward the cross. While it’s traditionally been the sacrifice of something dear as a form of repentance, he believes that the observance of Lent can include the addition or subtraction of something in your life to enhance your spiritual journey and further focus you on Jesus 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 our children.
Lent is traditionally observed from Ash Wednesday through Easter Eve. When not counting Sundays (as is typically the case) this equals 40 days. Lent is thought to be a commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as he prepared for public ministry.
The following Bible stories will help you share the life and ministry of Jesus with your child during the Lenten season. Focusing your child’s attention on Jesus’ life as we head towards Easter is a great way to open their heart to deeper friendship with him. Discussing these important parts of the story is essential to building conversations of faith in your home.
Whether you choose to add or subtract something in your life to observe Lent as a family is completely up to you. Pray about what the season needs to look like in your home.
Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Lent
1. Jesus is Baptized by John
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 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.”
Jesus is baptized to be an example to his followers. We are baptized as a public example that we are a follower of Jesus.
Baptism is a way to publicly tell others we are a follower of Christ. Being led under water and then raised back up again is like acting out Jesus’ death and resurrection. Baptism is a symbol (a visual example) of the new life we receive when we accept Christ as our savior. It is one way we publicly share that we need Jesus to cleanse or forgive us of our sins.
Although your child may not yet be ready to be baptized, it is good to begin discussing this important step of faith. Until you and your child (along with your pastor or children’s pastor) decide they are ready to be baptized, encourage your child that they can be a daily example of Christ’s love to others at home, at school or in the neighborhood.
Related verse – Colossians 2:12: Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
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