Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, which is a Christian holiday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Christians view the forty days of Lent as an opportunity to change their daily lives and become closer to God. However, explaining this concept to children is challenging. Children may not understand the death of Christ, be confused by changes in daily routine, and resist the idea of making sacrifices during Lent. Discussing the details and traditions of Lent in children's language will help them understand, especially if you want to spend Lent with your children.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Discussing Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Step 1. Tell me about the life of Jesus
If you want your child to accept the Christian faith and its important traditions, you need to talk about Jesus regularly, not just during the holidays. Read stories about the life of Jesus from the Bible, and look for Lent or Easter themed books at your favorite online bookstore or bookstore.
In the context of Lent, emphasize that Jesus was born and lived in this world for one purpose, namely to show everyone how to gain salvation and eternal life. Affirm that He accepted and lived this calling, even if it had to suffer, for the eternal glory that would be available to all of us
Step 2. Explain the death of Jesus in language that is easy for children to understand
Don't dwell on the cruel details of the crucifixion, which can confuse and scare children, but it's important that you introduce Jesus' death. Emphasize the reason for Jesus' sacrifice, namely that He gave up His earthly life so that those who believe in Him may gain eternal salvation.
- For preschoolers, say that Jesus died and rose from the dead for us.
- For younger schoolchildren, add some details about His death and resurrection. Notice that it shows that death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life.
- Preteens and older children can understand the details of the crucifixion and understand the symbols of death and rebirth related to human salvation.
Step 3. Introduce the meaning of Easter
Teach your child that Easter is the most important holiday for Christians--yes, more important than Christmas--and more than bunnies, eggs, and chocolate. Easter Sunday celebrates the return of Jesus from the dead. The concepts of resurrection and life after death are fundamental to the Christian faith so introduce them from the start.
- Tell younger children that all the celebrations around Easter remind us to rejoice because Jesus loves us so much, and He shows us the way to everlasting life.
- Therefore, Lent is a time for reflection and focus so that the faithful can truly understand the power and glory of Easter Sunday.
Method 2 of 4: Recounting Important Days During Lent
Step 1. Explain Ash Wednesday
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which for many believers, involves putting the sign of the cross with ashes on the forehead. The ashes are to remind everyone of human death (ie, "from ashes to ashes, from dust to dust"), but don't push this idea too hard on young children. Explain especially about the tradition.
If it helps, don't go into too much detail about death but emphasize that the symbol of the cross is meant to remind us of the main focus of Lent, which is Jesus
Step 2. Highlight the importance of the forty days
Tell your child that Lent lasts forty days because that's how long Jesus was in the wilderness, fasting, and He resisted Satan's temptations. Explain that your child has the opportunity, during the forty days of Lent, to imitate Jesus. They can also resist temptation and use this time to draw closer to God.
Lent isn't just a “countdown” or something to “get through”-it's an opportunity to set aside distractions and focus on our relationship with God
Step 3. Celebrate Holy Week together
Your child needs to understand that the last week before Easter is very important. Make sure your child knows that this last part of Lent leads to the celebration of Easter.
- Point out that Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to make many people happy, but within days those same people turned against Him. Explain that this shows how quickly people succumb to Satan's temptations and turn away from God.
- Use Maundy Thursday to tell the story of the night before Jesus died, and how He chose to spend His Last Supper with the apostles who had become His “family”. You can also host a family meal to tie that in.
Step 4. Make a special note about Good Friday
The day Jesus died was a sad day for Christians, but you can make it interesting for children. Discuss the details of the crucifixion in age-appropriate language, and focus on the crucifixion Jesus performed for everyone and the glory He knew would follow.
Paint the eggs together, but emphasize that you're not just making something for the Easter Bunny. The egg symbolizes the promise of new life, and believers can focus on Jesus' return even after He died
Step 5. Conclude Holy Week by looking at the joy of Easter
Explain to your child that on Saturdays, there is usually no liturgy (except for Easter night services in some traditions), so the faithful can really focus on Easter. Tell about Easter with joy and enthusiasm, and explain about the ornamental egg symbol and the miracles of resurrection, salvation, and life with God after death.
- In some traditions, Holy Saturday is a day for fasting, and a basket filled with food for the following day is blessed by the priest.
- Welcome Easter Sunday with great joy. Pray. Sing. Celebrate. Going to church. Spend the day with loved ones.
Method 3 of 4: Teaching Lent Practice
Step 1. Explain about fasting
During Lent, Christians “fast” in various ways to imitate and honor Jesus, who had fasted for forty days in the desert. Emphasize that during Lent, “fasting” is not always related to food. There are other ways to practice self-sacrifice and seek to be close to God.
- You don't have to expect your child to make a big, symbolic sacrifice for forty days. However, teach the concept and encourage your child to try it, perhaps by abstaining from candy or video games.
- This fasting period is also a good time to show solidarity with people who are short of food. Invite your child to make a donation to a soup kitchen or distribute food to a refugee camp.
- In the Roman Catholic church, mandatory fasting (before 18 years) and abstinence from meat (before 14 years) usually do not apply to children; rules are stricter (and may vary) for Eastern Catholic churches and Eastern Orthodox church traditions.
Step 2. Encourage the child to confess
Teach your child that confessing sins will bring us closer to God. They may not understand the importance of asking for forgiveness first. However, by encouraging your child to admit and beg for forgiveness for their mistakes (fighting with other children, saying dirty words, stealing candy in secret), you are helping them grow into more mature individuals.
Explain that we will feel better “coming clean” after holding back the truth or lying to cover up another lie. This same sense of relief and connection can occur when you admit your failure before Allah and ask for forgiveness
Step 3. Teach your child about the importance of water
Water is very important in human life, but it also symbolizes baptism and the remission of sins. Place a symbol, such as a water bottle, in your home, and encourage your child to reflect and discuss the importance of water.
Show that just as water can cleanse the body, Jesus is “living water” that can cleanse the soul
Step 4. Emphasize the importance of a close relationship with God
The eternal life of Christians depends on what they believe and do now. God encourages people to have faith, and expects them to be kind to themselves and others. We easily forget that, but Lent can be an opportunity to remember it.
Encourage your child to use Lent as a way to draw closer to God. Show that Jesus took forty days to stay away from distractions and communicate with God. They also benefit from Lent by abstaining from some worldly temptations
Method 4 of 4: Living Lent Together
Step 1. Give thanks together for the blessings received
You don't need to lecture your child about it, but convey clearly and naturally, that we have gained special things that no one else has. Remind your child that we shouldn't take the special things for granted.
You and your family can donate during Lent because all of you have received so many blessings from God-and you can honor God by giving alms to those in need
Step 2. Teach by example
You yourself need to appreciate the meaning of Lent and be a good example to your child. Perform the ritual you support and try to make Lent a time to bond and reflect with the whole family.
Do what you say. If you expect your child to sacrifice something meaningful to him or her, you should do the same. For example, if he wants to give away his toys, you can also fast from social media and computer games
Step 3. Make spirituality a family affair
Read the Bible, pray, and discuss Christianity with your child. Look for books about Jesus, Lent, and Easter written for children, and make the concepts interesting for your child. You could, for example, model important events such as the Last Supper or the empty tomb.
Encourage your child to make something. With your family, make crafts in the form of crosses, crowns of thorns, and other symbolic objects. Paint and decorate eggs together. For inspiration, you can look it up on the internet
Step 4. Prepare the fasting dish together
Fasting does not mean eating bland and unpleasant food. Prepare something your child likes to encourage him to accept the symbols and rituals of Lent. It would be nice if they could help you prepare the food or help with the cooking.
- Search the internet for recipes-the choices can range from tuna casseroles to salmon patties, or veggie burgers.
- Don't forget to serve foods that symbolize Lent such as soft pretzels and hot cross buns!
Step 5. Encourage children to help others
Let your child decide what kind of kindness they will do and whom they will help. Giving your child an active role will increase their enthusiasm and the impact the action has on them.
- For example, maybe you have a neighbor who is old and self-isolating. Young children can make greeting cards, decorate eggs, and help you prepare Easter-themed meals to take with you for a visit. Older children can help clean up the neighbor's yard and plant colorful flowers.
- Tell them that giving to others is more like Christ than mortification.
Step 6. Make Lent look beautiful and attractive
Don't make Lent a time of suffering, sacrifice, and pain; emphasize that this is a time for reflection and family togetherness. Teach the importance of enjoying life and the miracle of the resurrection and life after death.
- Don't present Lent like this: “During this month and a half let us grieve because Jesus died; so that we can celebrate His resurrection.”
- Instead: “Make this Lent time to reflect and focus on Jesus' sacrifice for all of us, and to be grateful for the eternal glory that is in store for us.”
Step 7. Don't go back to old habits after Easter
Teach yourself and the children that Lent is an opportunity to become a better person. These values should continue after the Lenten ritual is over.
Donate food to the homeless. Keep limits on the time you spend with your phone. Keep discussing, reading, and meditating on Jesus. Keep having quality time together
Tips
- You can approach "fasting" from a wider perspective. Your child can fast by donating his favorite item, refraining from fighting with his brother or sister, or trying not to complain to his parents.
- Consider your child's age and maturity level. Do not frighten young children with thought-provoking and overly detailed discussions about the crucifixion or try to scare them into obedience or repentance.
