3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Lent
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.
Download our Easter Family Guide and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters.
Download our Easter Family Guide and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters.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.
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3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Lent
Jesus is Baptized by John
Matthew 3:13-17
Bible Truth: Jesus’ love washes away my sins.
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 underwater 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.
Connect this story to the Lenten season by emphasizing our need to be buried with Christ—or in more kid-friendly language, to become less so He can be more in our lives. Baptism is not only a public profession of faith but also our acknowledgment that we need Jesus to cleanse our sins.
Related Memory Verse: Those baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. (Galatians 3:27)
Related Episodes on Minno:
What’s in the Bible?: The Messiah Has Come
Feeding of the Five Thousand
John 6:1-14
Bible Truth: Jesus’ miracles show God’s power.
Although the ultimate purpose for Jesus coming to earth was to take away our sins so we could be closer to God, as He spent time with people, He also taught them how to live and love and access the power of God in their everyday lives. Your child may already be familiar with this popular story but retell it to them with an emphasis on why Jesus performed miracles like this one. By interacting with people through teaching, miracles, and healing, Jesus opened His heart to others allowing them to open their hearts to Him. Jesus wants to be in a relationship with us. He wants us to know Him and love Him as much as He knows and loves us.
Connect this story to the Lenten season by sharing that this is only one miraculous moment during the life of Christ that shows us that Jesus is the Son of God and is worthy of our devotion during this Lent and Easter season and every single day of the year.
Related Memory Verse: By believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31b)
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Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Matthew 10:1-4
Bible Truth: Jesus asks me to be God’s messenger.
Jesus chooses and sends out his 12 apostles to continue to share the good news of God’s love and power.
The word apostle comes from the Greek word originally meaning, “messenger.” These twelve men were Jesus’ disciples or followers during His ministry. He asks these trusted men to go and teach others about Him. Jesus wanted them to spread the good news of His love and to heal the sick and help the hurting in His name. Use this story to tell your child that Jesus asks us to do the same today. We are His messengers when we share His love with others. God has great plans for each one of us to be His messengers. When we grow in friendship with Jesus, we will begin to better understand His plans for us.
Connect this story to the Lenten season by sharing that it is because of what Jesus did on the cross that we can be friends with God. Jesus’ death and resurrection fixed our broken relationship with God!
Related Memory Verse: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
Related Episodes on Minno:
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We hope that these stories and verses will help your family through this time of reflection.