WELCOME
You can almost feel it, the long haul to Holly Week is almost there. Next Sunday is either Palm or Passion Sunday then it is here, the end of Lent beckons and the joy of Easter awaits.
If you are running late with your Lenten practise this year you might want to use a family study to do in Holy Week please have a look at The Holy Week resource here and see what might suit your family situation.
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.
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.
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, or anything that inspires you from any Lent studies you or your family ae doing.
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
During the time of Prayers for the People Try these pick up and pray cards.
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34 A New Promise
READ: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
See how it relates to the reading here another Storypath suggestion
DO: we have looked at signs and promises through out the seaon of Lent? What were they each week? What might God mean by a new promise?
Here are some hints
MAKE: Draw a large love heart on a piece of paper and either draw those signs that God sends us to remember to turn to God OR write you favourite Bible Verse.
PSALM 51:1-12
I found this Video that helps explain why I value Psalms, it explains how to use the Psalms and uses the book recommended below
READ: Psalms for Young Children by Marie- Helene Delval
OR WATCH until the 1.29 minute mark
OR PSALM 119:9-16
READ:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A9-16&version=ICB
SING: Seeds Family Worship The Word of God Vol.8 No.6
How do these Psalms make you feel?
Describe those feelings, Show how these feelings look like in your body or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/
SECOND READING: Hebrews 5:5-10
READ: We found a Hat by Jon Klasson
find out why this book is suggested for this reading here
OR WATCH
PRAY
Dear Jesus
people have given you
all sorts of names
but you always knew
You were God”s son
Help me to know that I am God’s too
Amen
GOSPEL READING: John 12:20-35
READ
DO: Plant a seed or watch a video of a plant growing. or Cook a cake or some biscuits
This silent time, as you wait for the plant to appear or the cake to cook. Is something happening? What else feels like nothing is happening.
PLAY: Spotlight. Use a torch or the phone light to shine a path. Jump into the light spots like they were stepping stones.
EXTENSION: You could Pray while doing that for those you know who are having a hard time and could do with some “light” (something Good) in thier life.
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 