Lent is a season of remembering—from wearing ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday to Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me,” to the triumphant Easter morning declaration, “He is risen!” and the joyful response, “He is risen indeed!” But how else can we live out this season of remembrance with purpose?

Join a Small Group Study

Go beyond Sunday worship and commit to gathering in community in a small group. It won’t always be convenient—but we make time for what matters! Even if a study’s topic isn’t your first pick, if the schedule works, you’re more likely to stick with it. My church is launching a new adult Sunday school class (starting with a Meet & Greet this Sunday!) and a men’s small group on Wednesday nights after Ash Wednesday through April. Unable to take another night out during the week, I’m part of a zoom small group on Monday mornings with other family ministry leaders during Lent studying together Sandra Richter’s Deborah: Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges. We started yesterday.

Grow in Faith as a Family

If you have kids or youth at home, take on the practice of reading Scripture together differently. Read a chapter aloud, then talk about it! My church is providing a Family Faith Builder’s 40-Day Bible Reading Plan along with a mini Jesus for The Final Road Trip devotional to guide daily readings.

Sing Through the Psalms

This Lent, my church is journeying through Soundtrack: A 40-Day Playlist through the Psalms. Reading three Psalms a day—morning, midday, and evening—will take you through all 150! Plus, our fantastic Family Ministry Intern has curated a Spotify playlist featuring music inspired by several focused psalms.

Create a StoryWalk for Children

We’re setting up The Easter Fix as a StoryWalk on yard signs throughout our church campus, bringing the resurrection story to life for children and families. On Easter Sunday, every family will receive their own copy to take home! And on Palm Sunday, our youth will get Is Easter Unbelievable? Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story. Full images of many resources are free at TheGoodBook.com—check them out!

Watch and Reflect Together

Engage in meaningful conversations through film! The Chosen (Season 1, Episode 3 is my personal favorite) is now free on Prime Video. The Passion of the Christ is a powerful choice for high school students and adults. And in my family, it’s a tradition to watch The Ten Commandments—the classic with Charlton Heston—sometime in the last two weeks of Lent. That parting of the Red Sea scene never gets old!

Make a plan. Put it on the calendar. Guard that time fiercely. Let’s prepare for more than bunnies and candy and spring dresses – let’s make this season of deep faith and meaningful connection. My prayer is that this Lent will be filled with intentionality, renewal, and maybe even a new friend-in-the-Lord along the way.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19