Lenten Scripture Readings and Activities
The Season of Preparation for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Feb 11, 2009
Christians spend time during Lent reflecting on their baptism and their personal relationship with God. Many people give up luxuries that tempt them to focus on "wants" instead of "needs." Some Christians give up extras like coffee and junk food, then donate the money that is saved to a charity.
Lenten Scripture Readings
- Matthew 4:1-11 - This passage tells of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness. It describes how Jesus resists all of the temptations by using the Word of God. He demonstrates the power of Scripture.
- Luke 4:1-13 - This reading also describes Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness. The order of the temptations is different here, but Jesus is still shown to have resisted them all by using God’s Word.
Lenten Activities
There are many ideas for Lenten activities that can be used for children, youth, families or groups:
- More focus on prayer and giving of time, money or resources to charity.
- More effort made to attend church, bible study or a retreat during the Lenten Season.
- More effort made to pray for "enemies." Children are encouraged to pray for someone they are mad at or dislike.
- A decision made to participate in some type of fasting or "giving up." Children discuss what they would be willing to give up that they don’t really "need."
- Effort made to attend a healing service. Prayers offered for someone who does not attend church regularly.
- Reflection on gifts and talents to use for Christian service.
Purple Lenten Activities and Snacks for Children
The color for Lent is purple and this can be kept in mind for snacks. Also, snacks should be healthy foods that are good for the body, not junk food. Junk food would represent excess.
Some ideas for purple Lenten snacks are:
- Grapes
- Plums
- Figs
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Purple carrots
- Grape juice
- Blueberry juice
Some ideas for purple Lenten activities are:
- Prayers, good deeds or activities to be done are written on slips of purple paper. Each child picks a slip to carry out.
- Purple fish or crosses are made from craft paper or foam sheets. Each child writes something they would like to pray for on a fish. Then the fish are pinned to a bulletin board.
- The children decorate white paper cups with purple colors. Then they bring them home to put pennies or other coins in during Lent. After Easter Sunday, they are collected together and donated.
- A large white cross is cut out and pinned to the wall. Each time a child reports a good deed from the week, he/she glues a purple paper square to the cross. The group tries to cover the cross before Easter.
Even though the Lenten Season is a quieter and more solemn time in the church, there are plenty of activities that can be shared and carried out.
For other articles on scripture readings and activities see Colors and Activities for the Church Seasons, Devotion and Activities on Changing Seasons and Readings and Activities for Advent and Christmas.
 |
