Lent is a season of remembering—of remembering the historically true story of our faith in Jesus. Adults are invited to practice the holy habit of intentionally remembering, while for our littles we lovingly introduce, teach, and practice these habits together. We begin the teaching at church, but the real, beautiful work of practicing faith happens at home. From Ash Wednesday through Resurrection Sunday and the days after we celebrate our good God’s faithfulness and His redemption.

This year, families will receive Lenten Take-Home Bags filled with meaningful tools to walk the season together, including:

• A copy of Wondering to Jerusalem by Vanessa Myers, a wonder-filled Lenten devotional for littles (3rd-4th grade reading level)
• A plush lamb (yes, we’ll talk about the Passover lamb, forgiveness, and how Jesus is truly the Lamb of God)
• Multiple copies of a Children’s Fasting Plan, designed for littles and their bigs to talk through together—what to give up, for how long, what to do instead, and the heartfelt “I’m doing this because…” This was a free resource when you subscribe to the amazing family ministry resources found at DeeperKidmin.com.
  Fasting is a holy habit that is being practiced more and more among our congregation. Fasting will take place among adults on Wednesdays and/or Fridays during Lent, and if a holy habit draws grown-ups closer to Jesus, we want our kids learning and practicing right alongside them.
• Family Devo Table Talkers for February by Corinne Noble—perfect for on-the-go moments and meaningful conversations around the table.

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, falls during our Winter Break (school’s out!) this year. So we’ll celebrate Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) on the Sunday before with King Cake, masks, and beads. Family Lent Bags will go home on the first Sunday of Lent.

February’s Hallelujah Camp will include a shadow play that will be recorded and used in worship, and again to close out our Wondering to Jerusalem family event on Palm Sunday. We’re thrilled to co-host that celebration with a local senior living center and their families. We’re already painting rocks for writing He Is Risen!

Another wonderful resource we’ll use this season is Wonder Ink’s Around the Table: A Taste of Passover, which we’ll experience together on a Sunday morning with the littles—and even our youth! This hands-on, multi-sensory experience connects the Exodus story with the death and resurrection of Jesus. And the plagues are represented with candy. I almost never use candy in children’s ministry… but this one is worth the exception.

So, what does the upcoming Lenten season look like for you as you disciple your littles—and their bigs to remember?

“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you.” Deuteronomy 15:15a