WELCOME
These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.
They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.
You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; this is a one stop shop where I have done the sifting for you to find theologically and developmentally appropriate material for your congregation or family.
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space to bring out or keep up through Lent.
The colour of Lent is purple, not the same blue based purple as Advent but a red based purple.
Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some sand (to symbolise the desert times of the people of God), or cactus plants, some rocks(to represent challenge) for example. Today you might add some ashes, or black drawing materials and some white paper to encourage your family to respond to the readings.
A Book that i would rcommend for sharing about Lent with Children is Make Room A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary You can see an adaption of this book in a Godly Play method here
If able to worship in the Chruch buildings pack a special backpack, as well as filling it with your Covid Safe equipment, add the books or materials required to help your young ones relate to readings.
For older students you might like to take a journal that they can use to record, anything that grabs their attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write their response in and keep a record of thier emotions.
You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or either of these suggestions can be used when the Lord’s Prayer is said within a set service.
either IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
FIRST READING: Genesis 9:8-17
READ: 5 minute Bible Stories or My first read-aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, pp.20-21
OR The Spark Story Bible p.28
OR The Whirl Story Bible p.17
MAKE: Make a rainbow,
draw it with chalk on a pavement,
make it out of plasticine or play-doh,
create a stained glass window effect by using the colours of the rainbow in celephone to fill rainbow shape cut out of black cardboard.
OR you culd make a rainbow on the floor, using clothes or toys or chushions etc
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels
SING: Colin Buchanans: A Covenant is a Promise, on Old Teastament Sing-a -long
PSALM 25:1-10
READ:
Psalm 25: Teach me your ways
Walk with me, my friend (walk on the spot)
let me follow in your footsteps. (turn to your right)
We’ve come a long way already, but I still need you. (shield your eyes as if looking into the distance)
My pride says “I don’t need help! I can do this on my own!” (stamp foot once)
but I know I’ll be lost in no time without you. (look around you as if you are looking for something)
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness
for those who walk close with him.
(words by Rev Purdie, actions in brackets by me.
SING: Soverign One by Soverign Grace Kids
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3:18-22
READ: There is a Big Beautiful World out there by Nancy Carlson ( not just a great explanation of the text but very appropriate for children living in a pandemic) To see how it applies to the text read
PRAY
Parent God
You’ve promised
To be with us
help me to find you
When it feels like you are not with me
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Mark1:9-15
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman Mark 1:1-20 paragarph 2
CRAFT: Create a scene that encompasses both of the stories in todays reading, water, be a river, sea, dam etc, and wilderness, is that wilderness desert or dense trees, a swamp, be creative, use what you have available, is it coloured cardboard, is it real water, plants, sand etc. use your toys, or you might ice a cake creating these 2 areas of water and wilderness. Maybe it’s lifesized, in your house or yard, just check that it’s ok with the grownups.
MEDITATE
Dip your finger in some water, watch the water drip from your fingers
Find some sand, or dirt or flour, with your finger trace a pattern in the sand, dirt, or flour.
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful, especially if you are using this page for congregational use.
The Cross in My Backyard 