If you're not from a liturgical faith background, the concept of Lent may be really new to you. However, you might be surprised by how much your family grows in spiritual awareness when you set aside the weeks leading up to Easter for prayer and thoughtful reflection in your homeschool.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends on the day before Easter.
The season of Lent begins with self-examination and repentance. Each person should take time to reflect on any sinful behaviors in their life and ask God for forgiveness. After this, there are several other simple ways to observe the season of Lent.
1. Pray
Set aside extra time for prayer. If you are used to doing a morning devotional time, perhaps add another time of prayer at night. Or maybe keep a prayer list and pray for a certain list of people each day. You can reach out to the friends, family, and neighbors that you are praying for and ask for specific ways to remember them in prayer.
2. Give Something Up
You may be familiar with the practice of giving something up during the 7 weeks of Lent. What you give up is between you and the Lord, but here are a few things to consider.
- It should be reasonable, but not easy
- It should be something that you notice or miss
- It should be something that has a stronghold in your life
3. Read God's Word
You can find daily scripture reading assignments with reflection questions in Sonlight's Lenten Unit Study. Build time for Bible reading and meditating into each day leading up to Lent, and notice how it speaks to your heart and changes attitudes in your home! Add in some great literature, as well.
4. Practice Generosity
The Lenten practice of almsgiving refers to giving something away. You can give away money, but you can also give away time. There are many ways to give. Consider starting a giving jar. Children can put a coin in the jar for every act of giving they do in the family, such as letting a sibling go first or taking on an extra chore. At the end of Lent, donate the giving jar to a favorite charity.
5. Surround Yourself with Music
Enter more fully into the season by filling your home with music appropriate for the season of Lent. Here are a few songs and hymns:
- How Deep the Father's Love for Us
- Here I Am to Worship
- In Christ Alone
- Jesus Paid It All
- Great is Thy Faithfulness
As you decide what new experiences you want your family to have during this time, start with some simple traditions. Give yourself grace when things don't go according to plan. Small, meaningful moments will create a home culture focused on Jesus.
Enjoy a Cohesive Experience with the Sonlight Lenten Unit Study
This study includes 48 days of daily schedules and notes, Amon's Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide, recipes for family baking, craft materials, a Lenten music playlist, and more!
