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 adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of 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:EXODUS 20:1-17
READ: THE WHIRL Story Bible pp.70-73
and the SPARK Story Bible pp98-99
OR Children of God by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The 10 Commandments pp.36-37
SING: Practise Being Godly by Colin Buchanan, there is a song for all 10 commandments
PSALM 19
READ:
SING: SEEDS Family Worship Scripture Music Lullaby: Acceptable
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
READ: The Hat by Jan Brett
read why this was suggested here
Questions: I wonder what foolish things you know of that have turned out to be good ideas?
PLAY: Play with things that give you a different perspective on things, ie magnifying glass, bug lenses, cellephane, standing on your head,
GOSPEL READING: John 2:13-22
DRAW: draw this story. What emotions would you draw? Who would have those emotions?
PRAY:
Jesus,
you know what it is to be human
you have experienced every emotion
I can tell you anything I’m feeling
Amen
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 