Preparing Hearts for Lent: A Family Introduction

The Journey to Easter Begins

Easter doesn't have to appear suddenly. For centuries, Christians have observed a season called Lent—40 days of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christ's resurrection. If your family has never observed Lent, or if you want to make it more meaningful this year, this guide will help you prepare your hearts for the journey ahead.

Lent isn't about earning God's favor through sacrifice or making ourselves miserable for 40 days. It's about intentionally making space to focus on Jesus—His life, His death, and His resurrection—so that Easter morning bursts with meaning and joy.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

— Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

What Is Lent?

The Basics

•Lent is a 40-day season of preparation before Easter
•It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter)
•The 40 days don't count Sundays (which are always celebration days)
•It mirrors Jesus' 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness
•Christians use this time for prayer, fasting, repentance, and focusing on Jesus

Why 40 Days?

The number 40 appears throughout Scripture as a time of testing, preparation, and transformation:

•Noah's flood lasted 40 days and nights
•Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the law
•Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years
•Elijah traveled 40 days to Mount Horeb
•Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry

💡Do All Christians Observe Lent?

Lent is observed in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and many other Christian traditions. Some evangelical and non-denominational churches don't formally observe it but are increasingly rediscovering its value. Lent isn't required for salvation—it's a helpful spiritual practice, not a biblical command.

Explaining Lent to Children

👶Ages 3-5: Very Simple

Say something like:

"Lent is a special time when we get ready for Easter—when we celebrate that Jesus came back to life! During Lent, we slow down to think about Jesus and how much He loves us. We might do some special things like giving something up or doing extra kind things for others. It helps us remember how much Jesus gave up for us."

👶Ages 6-11: More Detail

Explain:

"Before Jesus started His ministry of teaching and healing, He spent 40 days in the wilderness praying and fasting—not eating food. During that time, Satan tempted Him, but Jesus didn't give in.

Lent is 40 days when we remember that time and prepare our hearts for Easter. Many Christians choose to:

•Give something up (like TV or sweets) to remember Jesus' sacrifice
•Add something in (like daily Bible reading or extra prayer)
•Focus on being more like Jesus
•Think about what Jesus did for us on the cross

The goal isn't to be sad for 40 days—it's to appreciate Easter more because we really thought about what Jesus went through for us."

👶Ages 11+: Deeper Discussion

Discuss together:

"Lent is an ancient Christian practice going back to at least the 4th century. The early church used this time to prepare new believers for baptism at Easter, and the whole community would join in that preparation.

The traditional practices of Lent are:

•Fasting — Giving something up to create space for God
•Prayer — Increased time talking with and listening to God
•Almsgiving — Giving to those in need, sharing what we have

Lent is not about earning God's favor or punishing yourself. It's about intentionally disrupting your normal routine to focus on Jesus. When you feel the absence of what you gave up, it becomes a trigger to pray. When you feel the cost of generosity, you remember what Jesus gave for you.

What do you think you might want to focus on this Lent?"

Three Traditional Practices of Lent

1. Fasting (Giving Something Up)

Fasting during Lent usually means giving up something you enjoy—not because it's bad, but to create space for something better.

•The point isn't suffering for suffering's sake
•The absence creates awareness—every time you miss it, you turn to God
•It teaches self-discipline and reveals how attached we are to things
•Common things to give up: sweets, TV, social media, video games, complaining

2. Prayer (Adding Something In)

Lent is an invitation to deepen your prayer life and time in Scripture.

•Add a daily family devotional time
•Pray through Psalms or the Gospels
•Use a Lenten devotional guide
•Begin or end each day with prayer as a family
•Practice different kinds of prayer: confession, praise, listening

3. Almsgiving (Generosity to Others)

Lent is a time to give generously to those in need.

•Give money saved from fasting to charity
•Serve at a food bank or shelter as a family
•Do secret acts of kindness
•Support a missionary or sponsored child
•Give away possessions you don't need

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Balance All Three

The three practices work together. What you save by fasting can fund your giving. The time freed up by giving something up can be used for prayer. Try to incorporate all three rather than focusing on just one.

Preparing Your Family Before Lent Begins

Don't wait until Ash Wednesday to start thinking about Lent. Spend the week or two before preparing:

Learn about Lent together

Read this article as a family. Watch a kid-friendly video about Lent. Talk about what you're excited or nervous about.

Discuss what to give up

Each family member thinks about what they might fast from. It should be challenging but realistic. Parents should model this too!

Discuss what to add in

What new spiritual practices will you adopt? A devotional book? Family prayer time? Scripture memory?

Plan your giving

Where will your family direct generosity during Lent? A specific cause, local need, or ongoing support?

Gather resources

Get your Lenten devotional, set up your giving, create visual reminders, prepare what you need.

Mark the calendar

Note Ash Wednesday, each week of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Anticipation builds engagement.

Ideas for What to Give Up

For Young Children (With Parent Help):

•Desserts or candy
•A favorite TV show
•A specific toy (set it aside for 40 days)
•Complaining (put a marble in a jar each time you catch yourself)
•Screen time (or reduced screen time)

For Elementary Kids:

•Video games
•Sugary drinks
•YouTube or streaming
•A favorite snack
•Arguing with siblings (work on being peaceful)
•Negative self-talk

For Preteens and Teens:

•Social media
•Specific apps (games, TikTok, etc.)
•Music with questionable lyrics
•Gossiping or negative talk about others
•Sleeping in (commit to getting up for quiet time)
•Online shopping or spending money on wants

For Parents:

•News/social media scrolling
•Alcohol or coffee
•Yelling at children
•Complaining or worrying
•Shopping for non-essentials
•Overcommitment (say no to extra activities)

⚠️Keep It Appropriate

Young children shouldn't fast from food. Even for older kids and teens, be cautious about food-related fasting, especially if there's any history of disordered eating. Focus on other things to give up. The goal is spiritual growth, not physical deprivation.

Ideas for What to Add In

•Daily family devotions (even 5 minutes counts)
•Reading through the Gospel of Mark or Luke
•A Lenten devotional book for families
•Weekly family service projects
•Praying together at mealtimes (if you don't already)
•Scripture memory (one verse per week)
•Bedtime prayers with each child
•Gratitude practice (naming blessings daily)
•Acts of kindness (one per day)
•Journaling (older kids and adults)

What About Sundays?

Traditionally, Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent because every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection—a "little Easter." Many families take a break from their fasts on Sundays as a reminder that we live in the joy of the resurrection even while preparing to celebrate it.

This is optional—some families continue their fast straight through. Either approach is valid. If you do observe Sundays as "feast days," use them as joyful reminders of what's coming at Easter.

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The Goal of Lent

Lent isn't about proving how spiritual we are or earning points with God. It's about making space—clearing away distractions so we can see Jesus more clearly. It's about preparing our hearts so that when Easter morning arrives, we truly understand and celebrate what happened at the empty tomb. A meaningful Lent leads to a more joyful Easter.

From Ash Wednesday to Easter

Here's a quick overview of the season:

•Ash Wednesday: Lent begins with a reminder of our mortality and need for a Savior
•First 5 Weeks: Daily focus on prayer, fasting, and giving; family devotions
•Holy Week: The final week, intensifying focus on Jesus' final days
•Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem; we celebrate His kingship
•Maundy Thursday: Jesus washes feet and institutes the Lord's Supper
•Good Friday: Jesus is crucified; we remember His sacrifice
•Holy Saturday: Waiting, silence, anticipation
•Easter Sunday: HE IS RISEN! All the preparation bursts into celebration!

"Yet even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments."

— Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)

💡A Prayer for the Lenten Journey

Lord, as we prepare for this season of Lent, prepare our hearts. Help us enter it not as a religious duty but as an opportunity to draw close to You. Show us what to give up, what to add in, and how to give generously. As we walk toward the cross, help us understand more deeply what You did for us. And when Easter morning comes, may our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy. Walk with us through these 40 days. In Jesus' name, Amen.