Lent in a Box
The Lent in a Box resource is a collaborative project between Rev. Melissa Gepford (Great Plains Conference) and Rev. Kathy Pittenger (Michigan Conference).
If you are looking for more ideas, check out the other Lent Playlists! We also recommend the following:
Books:
Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home by Traci Smith
The Hopeful Family: Raising Resilient Children in Uncertain Times by Amelia Richardson Dress
Websites:
Children’s Books:
Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist
When I Pray for You by Matthew Paul Turner
Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary
How to Use This Playlist
The ideas in this playlist (collection of activities, ideas, links, books, and videos) goes along with the Lent in a Box resource. Included are 2 “simple” ideas, 2 “medium-sized” ideas, and 1 “big” idea. The simple ideas will take 10 minutes or less. The medium ideas will take 30 minutes or less. The big idea will either take more time to do or has more prep time. They may also be more appropriate for older kids. While the playlists are labeled by week, they can be done in any order or you can come back to them at any time.
The “simple” ideas are also in the downloadable resource, but may include more links and additional information here. We hope you enjoy these spiritual practices for your family.
SIMPLE IDEAS
Coloring Prayer
Warm up by drawing some doodles, squiggles, lines, circles, dots, etc. on a piece of blank paper.
When ready follow these directions:
- Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Repeat a few times. You may want to light a candle (or turn on a battery candle) as a visual reminder to be quiet and in prayer.
- Write God or a favorite name for God (i.e. Gracious God, Loving God, Creator, etc) somewhere on the paper and doodle around the name.
- Take turns sharing a prayer request or praise. Set a timer for about 3 minutes (you can adjust the amount of time depending on age or attention span).
- Write down the praise/prayer either with words or a picture and then doodle around it while praying or praising God for the request.
- Repeat step 3 as many times as desired.
- When you are ready to end, write Amen or your favorite prayer closing somewhere on your paper.
- Learn more about Praying in Color.
Praying with Photos
View the Photos Handout and choose one to look at while you listen to Psalm 23. Wonder together.
- I wonder what part of the Psalm you can relate with.
- How does your image relate to the scripture?
- How do you see God in your image?
- If you could choose a different image, what would it be?
- What do you learn about yourself in this scripture?
- What do you learn about God in this scripture?
A more formal name for this way of praying is Vision Divina. An intergenerational daily devotional in the Vision Divina format available at picturelent.com.
MEDIUM IDEAS
Prayer Journal
Decorate a notebook or several sheets of paper stapled together as a prayer journal. Write or draw pictures of gratitude, celebrations, and prayer requests. You might also write down when a prayer has been answered.
Writing/Coloring Scripture
Write a bible verse or passage (you could use your prayer journal!). Use colored pencils or pens to make it colorful or print a Bible verse coloring page and add color! You can pray while you are coloring or allow it to be a quiet time between you and God. You can use these coloring pages from Illustrated Ministry to get started. (Special thanks to Illustrated Ministry for permission to share these pages!)
BIG IDEA
A Sanctified Art
Using the lessons from A Sanctified Art, chose one or more of the lessons to explore with your family. Each lesson offers a way to engage, explain, pray, and play.