Connecting with God during Lent
A resource to help your family connect with God during Lent.
Lent is a time when people consciously set aside time to spend time connecting with God. If you are considering doing this with your family, we have created this flexible resource to give you some ideas to help you think more about Jesus’s last week and some of the big ideas we discover there, and chat and catch prompts to help each of you connect with God – but before we start, just a reminder to use this exactly how it works best for your family! Pick the bits that work for you and feel free to adapt or ignore the rest.
Treat it like a pick and mix. You’ll find:
- A bible reading for each week telling part of the story of Jesus.
- Six short readings for the rest of that week, exploring the theme.
- A chat and catch prompt for each day – ‘chat and catch’ is a phrase we use at Parenting for Faith to describe conversational prayer with God, where we don’t just tell him things, we make space to catch his response back. Encourage your child (or yourself) that the question is just the start of a conversation with God. (If you’d like to know more about helping your child have a two-way conversation with God, check out our Key Tool page or sessions four and five of the free Parenting for Faith course.)
- And also for each day, a question designed to start a conversation about that day’s ideas.
It might work for your family to do all of it – or you might just want to use the chat and catch prompts or throw out one of the questions to start a conversation as you’re waiting at the swimming pool, or walking to school.
In case it’s handy, you can find a free download of the chat and catch prompts here.
Week 1: God’s big plan
Because this week begins on Ash Wednesday, you will need to share the reading on Ash Wednesday itself.
Weekly Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
This is Matthew’s story of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. People have been talking about Jesus – they’ve heard about his miracles. They’ve listened to him speak, and love how he makes God seem real and interested in their everyday lives. They know that Jesus cares about ordinary people and is very different from some of their leaders, who care most about power.
So when Jesus rides into Jerusalem, it’s not just someone arriving in the city. People know that something special is happening. 500 years earlier a prophet called Zechariah had said that the King everyone was expecting, the King who would free the people and rule fairly and kindly over them, would arrive on a donkey – and now, here he was! That’s why everyone was celebrating and shouting.
It’s all part of God’s plan for how his people can come back into his family. Even when the world seems dark and hard, God’s plans are at work. Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, was a big day in those plans, and over Lent we will hear more about those plans and how God wants us to be part of them today.
This week we will be exploring God’s plans for the world and the part we have to play in them.
Day 1
Bible reading: Psalm 121:3-4 – the God who doesn’t sleep
If God doesn’t sleep, what does he do all day and all night?
Conversation starter: What do you think God has been doing this week?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what he’s been doing in the world today.
Day 2
Bible reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15 – God asks us to help
How many different people helped God heal Naaman?
Conversation starter: Has God ever asked you to do anything? What was it?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what he wants you to do today.
Day 3
Bible reading: Matthew 28:16-20 – Jesus’s final instructions
Jesus has a big job for his team on earth.
Conversation starter: Who do you know who releases God’s love and power into the world?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God what excites you about being part of his team.
Day 4
Bible reading: Jeremiah 29:11 – God has good things planned for us.
We might not know what they all are yet – but we can trust him that they are for good.
Conversation starter: Can you see how God has shaped your life so far?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God what you’d like to be doing in 10 years’ time.
Week 2: God and justice
Weekly Reading: Mark 11:15-18
After Jesus entered Jerusalem he went to the temple. The outer courts of the temple were like a market. There were money-changers who would swap your foreign coins for the money used in the temple, and there were merchants selling the birds and animals people used for the sacrifices. Jesus was angry because he saw that the merchants were charging high prices and the money-changers were cheating people, so he angrily stopped them.
The bible tells us that one of the things God gets most angry about is injustice – when people are unfair to each other, or treat people differently because of who they are, or put their own greed before what’s right for everyone. That’s not what he wants for people. We know that because heaven is described as a very different sort of place: “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:3-4 NLT).
This week we will be exploring what God thinks about injustice and what he wants us to do.
Day 1
Bible reading: Amos 2:6-7 – God is angry about injustice
Amos was an Old Testament prophet who saw how the wealthy and powerful didn’t care at all about the poor and weak.
Conversation starter: Where do you see injustice in your community, country or the world?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what makes him angry.
Day 2
Bible reading: Psalm 37:1-8 – Don’t fret
Some good advice for what to do when we feel powerless.
Conversation starter: Have you ever been treated badly? What happened? How did God make a difference?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time you were treated unfairly.
Day 3
Bible reading: Ephesians 2:10 – God has good things for us to do
We aren’t just God’s friends – he wants us to partner with him in making the world a better place.
Conversation starter: Share a story about a time you were angry about injustice.
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God something about the world you’d like to change.
Day 4
Bible reading: Micah 6 – God shows us what is good
It’s really quite simple – it’s when we are fair, merciful and humble.
Conversation starter: Who do you know who is fair, or merciful or humble? How do you know?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what makes him sad.
Day 5
Bible reading: James 2:14-17 – Faith and action
James’ practical advice for us when we see things we can change.
Conversation starter: Are there things we could do as a family to make the world a fairer place?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God to show you something he’d like you to change.
Day 6
Bible reading: Luke 10:30-35 – an unexpected rescuer
Who should we help?
Conversation starter: Who do you know who needs someone to stand up for them?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about someone you know who needs a friend to stand up for them.
Week 3 – Serving others
Weekly Reading: John 13:1-17
The night before Jesus died he and his disciples celebrated Passover with a special meal. During the meal Jesus got up and washed his friends’ feet. When guests were invited to your house, it was normal to wash their feet, because people’s feet got very dirty on the dusty, smelly roads. This was usually a job for the lowliest servant – it wasn’t a nice job at all! But Jesus chose to do it here, and explained that in the future, he wanted his disciples to follow his example and be servants to each other.
God asks us to be his hands and feet here on earth – helping other people like he would do. The bible is full of examples of what that looks like.
This week we will be exploring what it really means to serve others.
Day 1
Bible reading: 1 Peter 4:10 – use your strengths
God has given each of us gifts and skills we can use to help others.
Conversation starter: In our family, what gifts has God given us that we could use to help other people?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what skills he has given you that could help others.
Day 2
Bible reading: Mark 12:28-31 – love other people well
We won’t go far wrong if we treat other people in a way we would like to be treated.
Conversation starter: Share a story about a time when God asked you to help someone else. What happened? How did you feel?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God to show you how you could help someone today.
Day 3
Bible reading: Philippians 2:3-7 – be like Jesus!
Jesus’ example helps us know what our attitude should be.
Conversation starter: Who do you know who helps people like Jesus did?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God to show you how you can help people like Jesus did.
Day 4
Bible reading: Matthew 25:31-40 – treat other people like you would treat Jesus
Jesus asks us to help other people.
Conversation starter: Where do you see Christians helping other people? What do they do?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God how you feel when you play a small part in his big plans.
Day 5
Bible reading: Acts 4:32-35 – the difference church can make
Generosity has the power to make a huge difference.
Conversation starter: Why is it important that we look after each other really well?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God to show you something you could share.
Day 6
Bible reading: Acts 9:36-43 – Dorcas and her sewing
A story of how one person’s generosity with what she had changed lives.
Conversation starter: How does it feel when someone cares for you?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about someone who cares for you.
Week 4: God is With Us
Reading: John 14:15-19; 17:20-23
That night, Jesus knew he was leaving his friends. This would be a big change for them. They relied on Jesus, trusted him – and soon he would be gone. Jesus explained to them that he wouldn’t be leaving them alone. He would send them someone like him to be with them – the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be with them forever, give them special gifts to help them and teach and guide them. Jesus also wanted the disciples to stay together, to form the church. Although Jesus was leaving, the disciples wouldn’t be alone: they would have the Holy Spirit and each other.
And more than 2,000 years later, the church is still going strong and we still have the Holy Spirit guiding us and equipping us both to love each other well and to do God’s work in the world.
This week we will be exploring the support system God has given us: the Holy Spirit and the church
Day 1
Bible reading: Acts 2:38-39 – the gift of the Holy Spirit
God knows what we need – so he’s given us the Holy Spirit.
Conversation starter: How would you describe the Holy Spirit to someone who’d never heard of him?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God why you’re glad he sent the Holy Spirit to us
Day 2
Bible reading: Psalm 139:1-12 – God the Holy Spirit is with us
Wherever we go, however far away, God the Holy Spirit will be with us.
Conversation starter: Share a story about a time you felt God was close to you.
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God to remind you about a time he was close to you.
Day 3
Bible reading: Acts 11:22-24 – Barnabas the Encourager
The new church needed help – so they sent someone who could help.
Conversation starter: Who encourages you at church? Who do you encourage?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about someone who encourages you at church.
Day 4
Bible reading: Acts 2:42-47 – the first church
A description of the very first church.
Conversation starter: How is your church similar to, or different from, the first church described in Acts?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God how he would like your church to make a difference.
Day 5
Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – the Body of Christ
Paul shows that everyone has a place in church and we need each other.
Conversation starter: How has being part of church made a difference to your life?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God what you think about your church
Day 6
Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 – the Holy Spirit gives us gifts
Paul describes some of the special gifts the Holy Spirit gives out to help the church. There’s another list in Romans 8:6-8.
Conversation starter: Which of the Holy Spirit’s gifts do you think people in your family have been given?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God which of his gifts he wants to give you
Week 5 – Fear and Betrayal
Reading: Mark 14:32-50: Gethsemane – fear and betrayal
This was perhaps the hardest moment of Jesus’ life so far. He knew that Judas was planning to betray him and that he was likely to be killed. So Jesus does what he has often done during the previous three years: he goes somewhere private to speak to his Father. Leaving his disciples to keep watch, he prays, asking God to change things – but only if that’s what God thinks is best. But Judas and an armed crowd are on their way.
Jesus must have felt very frightened and very alone. We will all have time when things are tough.
This week we will be exploring how God can help us in tough times.
Day 1
Bible reading: Luke 1:26-38 – Mary accepts a tough job
Although she knew it would be incredibly difficult, Mary chose to do what God wanted.
Conversation starter: Has God ever asked you to do anything difficult? What was it?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about something you find hard.
Day 2
Bible reading: Genesis 16:1-14: God sees Hagar
Hagar discovers that although she is totally alone, God has not forgotten her.
Conversation starter: Have you ever felt alone? What was it like?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time when you felt alone.
Day 3
Bible reading: Matthew 5:43-44 – How to treat your enemies
Tough advice from Jesus on loving your enemies.
Conversation starter: Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? What did it feel like?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time a friend treated you badly.
Day 4
Bible reading: Matthew 14:22-33 – Keep your eyes on Jesus
Peter is afraid, but Jesus is there.
Conversation starter: What do you do when you’re afraid? What do you think God does?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about something that scares you and why.
Day 5
Bible reading: Joshua 1:1-9 – the difference God makes
God’s promise to Joshua as he faces the biggest challenge of his life.
Conversation starter: Do you think God is with us even when we can’t feel him?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God for something to help you know he is with you.
Day 6
Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 – Our eyes are on you.
What Jehoshaphat says to do when you don’t know what to do.
Conversation starter: Share a story about a time your life was tough. What did you do? What did God do?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God for a new way to think about something you find hard.
Week 6 – Failure and forgiveness
Reading: Luke 22:54-62
Jesus has been taken to the High Priest’s house for questioning. Afraid, Peter follows, and waits outside. Although he is one of Jesus’s closest friends, when someone recognises him, he is scared and says he doesn’t know Jesus. Someone else accuses him of being with Jesus and again Peter says he wasn’t. An hour later, another person tells Peter he’s one of Jesus’ followers – and Peter denies it for the third time. A cock crows and Peter remembers Jesus’s words: ‘before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times’. The bible tells us that Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
We all fail, and sometimes those failures hurt other people. It can feel hard to believe you can be forgiven or that you deserve to be forgiven. But the promise of the Bible is that, if we are truly sorry and repent, God will forgive us – as Peter later discovers (see John 21).
This week we will be exploring failure and forgiveness.
Day 1
Bible reading: Romans 7:15-20 – Paul in a muddle
Paul describes how he just can’t always get it right.
Conversation starter: Share a story of a time you let someone down. What did you do? What did God do?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about something you regret doing.
Day 2
Bible reading: Genesis 37:12-35 – a lie with big consequences.
How a lie had a big impact.
Conversation starter: What do you think God feels when he sees us hurting someone else?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time someone lied about you.
Day 3
Bible reading: 1 John 1:8-9 – We all sin and need God
What God does when we say sorry.
Conversation starter: What does it feel like to talk to God about your sins?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God why he loves forgiving people.
Day 4
Bible reading: Colossians 3:12-14 – Paul’s advice for a peaceful life.
It’s not always easy to forgive, but it is essential.
Conversation starter: What do you do when you find it hard to forgive someone?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time you forgave someone.
Day 5
Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – We will all be tempted.
God’s on our side and will help us when we’re tempted to do wrong.
Conversation starter: Share a story about a time you were tempted to do wrong. What did you do? What did God do?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God about a time you were tempted to do something wrong.
Day 6
Bible reading: Luke 15:11-32 – The Father never gives up hope.
God’s love is too strong to give up on us.
Conversation starter: Why do you think God wants to forgive us when we sin?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God how you feel when you are forgiven.
Week 7 – The world will never be the same again
Reading: Luke 23:26-49
On the day we call Good Friday, Jesus died. Because of his death incredible things happened. The huge, thick curtain in the temple separating people from God ripped in two, from top to bottom – it was as if God was saying ‘Now everyone can come close to me’. Jesus’ death changed everything. We can be friends with God again, members of his family, forgiven and beloved. And God has promised us that one day, we will be with him in heaven. What an amazing day that will be!
This week we will be exploring the difference Easter makes, and thinking about the amazing promise of heaven.
Day 1
Bible reading: John 15:14-15 – God’s friends.
Jesus explains we aren’t his servants – we can be his friends.
Conversation starter: What’s the best thing about being God’s friend?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God how you feel about being his friend.
Day 2
Bible reading: Revelation 21:1-5 – What John heard.
A description of why heaven will be so amazing.
Conversation starter: What are you most looking forward to about heaven?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God what he loves about heaven.
Day 3
Bible reading: Luke 15:1-7 – 99 isn’t enough.
God wants everyone to know him and will search for them.
Conversation starter: Why does God care if we love him or not?
Chat and Catch prompt: Ask God who he’d like you to share the good news of Easter with.
Day 4
Bible reading: Exodus 33:7-11 – Chatting with a friend
God is a friend who wants us to chat with him.
Conversation starter: How does God communicate with you?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God what helps you feel connected to him.
Day 5
Bible reading: John 3:16-17 – God loves the world so much
He was prepared to let his only Son die so we could live forever.
Conversation starter: Why didn’t God stop Jesus dying? Do think it was hard to watch Jesus die?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God how you feel about Good Friday.
Day 6
Bible reading: Matthew 28:1-10 – Everything’s changed!
Jesus didn’t stay dead – and the world would never be the same again.
Conversation starter: Why does Easter give you hope?
Chat and Catch prompt: Tell God your favourite thing about Easter.