Let me be frank, 40 days is a long time for a family to stay focused. If I am honest, it is a long time for me to stay focused but that is exactly what I desire. Lent is a beautiful opportunity to offer our hearts to God. In that spirit, I am excited to share with you The Simplified Family Lenten Plan, which includes a daily Scripture reading plan and family activities that will allow you and your family to encounter, refresh and renew your hearts this season of Lent.
Lent is the season of spiritual preparation before Easter. During Lent, many believers observe a period of fasting, repentance, simplicity, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. The purpose of the Lenten season is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus, to consider his suffering and sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection. The 40 days of Lent correspond to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness to fast, pray, and endure the temptations of the devil, all in preparation for his public ministry which would culminate in his death on the cross.
The Simplified Family Lenten Plan
For the purposes of simplifying, I am dividing Lent into three categories. Prayer, Giving, and Fasting which is considered the traditional components of the Lenten Season. The purpose of Lent is to renew our souls with the anticipation of Jesus’s resurrection on the Cross. It is about giving ourselves to God. Traditionally, we think of sacrifice during the Lenten Season. It’s so much more than that!
Pray
Throughout the 40 days of Lent, we are called to deepen our personal and family prayer life. For some of us, this means beginning a habit of daily prayer, setting aside time each day to share our fears, and frustrations as well as our hopes and joys with God. You may even want to try the practice of Fixed Hour Prayer with your family.
Give
Giving is one of the qualities of a Christian and a very ancient practice as well. The Season of Lent calls all people to give as a means of making the needs of other people our own. One of the central lessons of the cross is compassion. One of the joys of Lent is the many opportunities to give of ourselves.
Fast
Many Christians commit to fasting or “giving up” something for Lent. Fasting from certain luxuries in order to help us remember the suffering that Jesus endured on the Cross as payment for our sins is a healthy way to participate in Lent. At this time we also remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days.
Print off your copy of The Simplified Lenten Family Plan!
Make sure you head over to Christ-Centered Family Activities For Holy Week and did I mention it’s FREE!
Your Turn…
What is your favorite Lenten Family Activity?
Blessings,
