General
Though it is not often emphasized, the season of Lent is a powerful discipleship opportunity for parents. At its core, Lent is a 40-day journey leading to Easter that includes the concepts of repentance, consecration, fasting, and anticipation. For Spirit-filled families, prayer, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and transformational encounters with God provide meaningful framework in which to teach children spiritual truths during this season.
Children need to be introduced to theology from a young age. However, they need theology presented in terms that they can grasp. A simple way to explain the why behind Lent is to say, “Lent is a season where we make extra room for God.”
A great illustration of Lent is in the way it mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness before beginning formal ministry. During His time there, Jesus fasted, prayed, and faithfully resisted temptation. In the same way, Lent is a time to limit distractions and intentionally find ways to grow closer to God.
FASTING
In many churches, fasting is a familiar term. However, children require guidance when engaging in a fast. Instead of focusing on food restrictions for younger kids, consider “distraction fasts” that replace screen time, sweets, or certain activities with Bible study or family prayer.
However families choose to engage with fasting, it is important to help children connect the practice to a purpose. Fasting is about drawing closer to Jesus and aligning ourselves with His will, it is not just the absence of something. During any fast, parents should provide structure, such as a short devotional or time of family prayer and worship, refocusing attention on the purpose of the fast.
PRAYER
During Lent, it is also important to focus on drawing closer to the Lord and learning to more clearly hear His voice. For parents, this may mean taking time to pray together as a family and taking turns praying out loud.
If a family is new to prayer, parents can consider memorizing the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) with their children. As families memorize portions of the prayer, they should discuss the meaning behind particular portions and how they can be applied to personalized prayers. For example, the opening of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” shows us that we should start our time of prayer with thinking about who God is and how wonderful and holy He is.
Breaking down this text line by line can help children understand the components of prayer and begin to formulate their own personal prayer times.
RESIST TEMPTATION
As families go through the Lent season, they may find themselves tempted to fall back into old habits or give up on new ones that are being formed. Intentionally check in with each other and model healthy accountability. Also, regularly ask each family member what God is showing them or speaking to them throughout the 40 days. Children are surprisingly perceptive when invited into spiritual conversations.
Another way to encourage accountability is through a Lent journal. While older teens and adults can write down what God is teaching them, younger children can draw pictures or write simple words of what they believe God is putting on their hearts.
No matter how families spend the season of Lent, it is important to approach it with intentionality. When it becomes more than a passive historical tradition, parents will find themselves with a discipleship laboratory where their families are hungrier for God and each member is learning to recognize His voice in their own way.
Discipling Your Family Through Lent
Lent is a 40-day season leading to Easter that gives families a meaningful opportunity to disciple their children through repentance, fasting, prayer, and intentional spiritual growth. By practicing purpose-filled fasting, learning to pray together, and encouraging accountability, parents can help their children draw closer to God and recognize His voice in personal and practical ways.
Children need to be introduced to theology from a young age. However, they need theology presented in terms that they can grasp. A simple way to explain the why behind Lent is to say, “Lent is a season where we make extra room for God.”
A great illustration of Lent is in the way it mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness before beginning formal ministry. During His time there, Jesus fasted, prayed, and faithfully resisted temptation. In the same way, Lent is a time to limit distractions and intentionally find ways to grow closer to God.
FASTING
In many churches, fasting is a familiar term. However, children require guidance when engaging in a fast. Instead of focusing on food restrictions for younger kids, consider “distraction fasts” that replace screen time, sweets, or certain activities with Bible study or family prayer.
However families choose to engage with fasting, it is important to help children connect the practice to a purpose. Fasting is about drawing closer to Jesus and aligning ourselves with His will, it is not just the absence of something. During any fast, parents should provide structure, such as a short devotional or time of family prayer and worship, refocusing attention on the purpose of the fast.
PRAYER
During Lent, it is also important to focus on drawing closer to the Lord and learning to more clearly hear His voice. For parents, this may mean taking time to pray together as a family and taking turns praying out loud.
If a family is new to prayer, parents can consider memorizing the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) with their children. As families memorize portions of the prayer, they should discuss the meaning behind particular portions and how they can be applied to personalized prayers. For example, the opening of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” shows us that we should start our time of prayer with thinking about who God is and how wonderful and holy He is.
Breaking down this text line by line can help children understand the components of prayer and begin to formulate their own personal prayer times.
RESIST TEMPTATION
As families go through the Lent season, they may find themselves tempted to fall back into old habits or give up on new ones that are being formed. Intentionally check in with each other and model healthy accountability. Also, regularly ask each family member what God is showing them or speaking to them throughout the 40 days. Children are surprisingly perceptive when invited into spiritual conversations.
Another way to encourage accountability is through a Lent journal. While older teens and adults can write down what God is teaching them, younger children can draw pictures or write simple words of what they believe God is putting on their hearts.
No matter how families spend the season of Lent, it is important to approach it with intentionality. When it becomes more than a passive historical tradition, parents will find themselves with a discipleship laboratory where their families are hungrier for God and each member is learning to recognize His voice in their own way.
