Family Resources
Leaning into the liturgical, or church, seasons can be a great way to help your family develop everyday faithful rhythms. But it can also be tricky to know how to incorporate these seasons. Below are some ideas, links, and devotionals that may be helpful to you.
Activities for the Family
Counting the Days
Lenten Prayer Chain
Similar to Advent, Lent is a time of counting the days until Easter. Create a paper-link chain of 40 days and each day, except Sunday take one day off! You can add to this by, in advance, writing something on each link to pray for that day or writing something you'd like to pray for that day after you take the link off.
Lent Spiral
You can find several Lent spirals or paths online that you can print and color or add to throughout the season of Lent. These paths offer practices or readings for each day as well as help you mark the time by coloring in the path or spiral as you go.
Watch Something Change
Easter and Spring go together as we celebrate new life. A great way to count the days of Lent is to plant a seed and watch it grow! You can grow something simple, like a bean sprout from a dried bean, using just a wet paper towel or paper cup. Or you can grow wheatgrass, which grows quickly and doesn't need a lot of attention to survive. Or plant flower seeds in your garden or a pot (might be a better option since in Texas we never know if we're going to get a random March cold front) and enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the summer!
If plants aren't your thing try tumbling rocks! Rock tumbling is a great way to show the slow but steady transformation of things as a dull and rough rock transforms into something shiny and smooth with time, water, and grit. However, for this activity you will need to purchase a rock tumbler. You can also find some videos on rock tumbling online.
Praying
Pretzel Prayers- Did you know pretzels were originally invented to help kids understand prayer better? There is a legend that pretzels were used by an Italian monk to encourage young people to pray. The shape of the pretzel represents arms folded across the body, with hands on the shoulders. Try this free pretzel recipe and as you enjoy your yummy pretzels talk about things, people, or places you want to pray for this Lent.
Body prayers- Kids are always moving so help them incorporate their body into their prayers! Try kneeling together to pray, or laying flat on your back. You can lift you hands up or sit down. You can go for a walk and pray or even just wiggle around! Make up motions that go along with the prayer or instead of saying anything at all simply dance. You can talk about how different ways of moving helped you pray, or not, and how we may have felt more connected to God doing different motions when we pray.
Saying Grace- Many people say a prayer of thanks before they eat a meal. An easy way to expand this practice during Lent is by, before you begin, asking everyone asking everyone at the table if they have anything they would like to pray for that day.
Study Scripture
Join us for the Lenten study on Tuesday nights from 6-8pm. We will have dinner together and then divide into adult and children's studies. Youth are invited to attend either the adult study or help with the children's study. For more info and to register go here.
Simplifying
Traditionally Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and abstinence. Instead of focusing on traditional fasting, it can be helpful for kids and families to think about simplifying. Instead of focusing on what is being given up or subtracted, encourage your family to simplify in ways that help you grow in your faith and grow together.
Go Without
Drink Water- Instead of sugary drinks, like soda or juice, commit to drinking water instead. You can talk as a family about how clean water is a luxury much of the world, including places in the United States, does not enjoy. We can choose to drink more water and less "special drinks" and give a prayer of thanks and a prayer for those who need clean water.
Less Screen time- Use this season to enjoy more time outside! This time of year is usually the best weather we will see in Katy. This can be as simple as doing homework outside on an apartment patio or going for a quick walk, or as intentional as scheduled time to the Houston Arboretum. Or spend this time reading more books, individually or together as a family, instead of watching tv or movies.
Do Something New
Make something you world normally buy- brainstorm as a family a few things you could try to make instead of buying. Instead of buying a new toy is there a way to "upcycle" one you have now? Get creative and look online for videos that might help you to build, renovate, create, or make something instead of just buying it at the store!
Try new foods- try a new recipe together or just try something new that you have never eaten before. This can be a new kind of cuisine, like sushi, or just try new fruit or vegetables! Can you make broccoli or brussel sprouts super yummy? Is there a special meal from another culture that looks interesting to try? Instead of just giving up a food you usually like, try seeing if you can add something new to your yummy foods list.
Giving
Lent is also traditionally a time of giving "alms", or charity, as an act of devotion. Below are some ideas for ways you can give to those around you this season!
Giving to Neighbors- make a paper basket by rolling a piece of sturdy paper into a cone shape. Then tape or glue the cone sides shut. You can even add a handle made of twine, string, or ribbon. You can then fill the basket with flowers, homemade cookies, or other little treats and give it to your neighbor with a little note!
Giving to Nature- pick up trash around your neighborhood or apartment complex, your favorite park, or anywhere else in the community. Be sure to recycle wha you can! Or start a small vegetable or flower garden in your backyard, patio, or even in a sunny windowsill. Or you can do something as simple as making sure to take reusable grocery bags to the store.
