The 40-Day Journey
Lent is 40 days of intentional focus on Jesus—His life, His teachings, His sacrifice, and His victory over death. For families, it's an opportunity to slow down together, dig deeper into faith, and arrive at Easter with hearts overflowing with gratitude.
This guide provides a framework for your family's Lenten journey. Don't feel pressured to do everything—choose what works for your family and adapt as needed. The goal is growing closer to Jesus, not checking boxes.
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
— Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Daily Rhythm for Lent
Establish a simple daily rhythm that you can maintain for 40 days. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Option A: Morning Focus (5-10 minutes)
- •Read a short Scripture passage together
- •One sentence prayer from each family member
- •Quick discussion: 'How can we live this today?'
Option B: Mealtime Focus (at dinner)
- •Light a candle as a visual reminder of the season
- •Read a verse or devotional thought
- •Share highs and lows of the day
- •Pray together before eating
Option C: Bedtime Focus (10-15 minutes)
- •Read from a Lenten devotional or the Gospels
- •Reflect: 'What did you learn about Jesus today?'
- •Pray together: confession, thanks, and requests
Pick One and Stick With It
Week-by-Week Themes and Focus
Here's a suggested theme for each week of Lent, with Scripture, discussion questions, and activities:
Week 1: Repentance and Humility
Theme Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12
Focus: Admitting we need Jesus. Turning from sin. Asking for forgiveness.
- •Family discussion: What does it mean to repent? Why do we need Jesus?
- •Activity: Write down things you want to turn away from on slips of paper. Shred or burn them as a symbol of letting go.
- •Daily practice: Each person confesses one thing to God in prayer each day.
Week 2: Prayer and Listening
Theme Scripture: Psalm 46:10
Focus: Making time to talk to God AND listen to Him.
- •Family discussion: How do we hear from God? What makes prayer hard?
- •Activity: Try different prayer styles this week: silent prayer, written prayer, walking prayer, prayer with music.
- •Daily practice: Add 5 minutes of silent time to your family prayer—just being still together.
Week 3: Fasting and Simplicity
Theme Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18
Focus: Giving things up to make room for God.
- •Family discussion: Why do Christians fast? What have you noticed from what you've given up so far?
- •Activity: Choose one extra thing to fast from this week as a family (a meal, screen time for an evening, etc.).
- •Daily practice: When you feel the absence of what you've given up, use it as a prompt to pray.
Week 4: Generosity and Service
Theme Scripture: Matthew 25:35-40
Focus: Loving others through giving and serving.
- •Family discussion: Who are 'the least of these' in our community? How can we serve them?
- •Activity: Do a family service project this week—serve at a food bank, make care packages, visit the elderly.
- •Daily practice: Each day, do one specific act of kindness for someone outside your family.
Week 5: Jesus' Journey to the Cross
Theme Scripture: Mark 10:45
Focus: Understanding what Jesus was walking toward—and why.
- •Family discussion: Why did Jesus have to die? What did His death accomplish?
- •Activity: Read a portion of the Passion narrative each day (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, or Luke 22-23).
- •Daily practice: Thank Jesus specifically for different aspects of His sacrifice.
Week 6: Holy Week (See separate section below)
The final week requires special focus as we walk through Jesus' last days.
Holy Week Day-by-Day
Palm Sunday
Read: Matthew 21:1-11
Focus: Jesus enters Jerusalem as King. Crowds shout Hosanna.
- •Wave palm branches (or paper palms) and shout 'Hosanna!'
- •Discuss: Why did the same crowds turn against Jesus days later?
- •Activity: Create a path of palms/leaves through your home.
Monday-Wednesday of Holy Week
Read: Jesus teaching in the temple, anointing at Bethany, Judas' betrayal
Focus: The tension builds. Jesus knows what's coming.
- •Read one passage each evening about these final days
- •Discuss Jesus' emotions and resolve as He approached the cross
Maundy Thursday
Read: John 13:1-17, Matthew 26:17-30
Focus: Jesus washes feet and institutes communion.
- •Have a simple family meal together, remembering the Last Supper
- •Consider foot washing as a family—humbling but powerful
- •Take communion together if your tradition allows
Good Friday
Read: John 18-19 or Mark 15
Focus: Jesus is betrayed, tried, and crucified.
- •This is a solemn day—keep activities quiet and reflective
- •Consider fasting from something (screens, desserts, normal activities)
- •Watch a child-appropriate Passion video or read the story slowly together
- •Attend a Good Friday service if your church offers one
Holy Saturday
Read: Matthew 27:62-66
Focus: A day of waiting. The disciples thought all was lost.
- •Continue the quiet, reflective mood
- •Discuss what the disciples must have felt—grief, fear, confusion
- •Wait with anticipation for tomorrow
Easter Sunday
Read: Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18
Focus: HE IS RISEN! The tomb is empty! Death is defeated!
- •Celebrate with joy! The waiting is over!
- •Feast, sing, decorate, worship with gladness
- •Reflect on the journey: How did Lent prepare your heart for this moment?
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."
— Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Age-Appropriate Activities
👶Ages 3-5
- •Resurrection Eggs: Use plastic eggs with small objects to tell the Easter story
- •Paper chain countdown: Remove one link each day until Easter
- •Simple daily prayer: Thank you God for Jesus. Help me love like Jesus. Amen.
- •Purple decorations: Add purple (the color of Lent) around the house
- •Bible story books: Read one story about Jesus each day
👶Ages 6-11
- •Lenten journal: Write or draw something each day about what you're learning
- •Service chart: Track acts of service done during Lent
- •Scripture memory: Learn one verse each week
- •Give-up and give-to: Track what you're giving up AND what you're giving to others
- •Stations of the Cross: Do a simplified version as a family
👶Ages 11+: More Depth
- •Read through a Gospel: Complete Mark or John during Lent
- •Personal devotional: Use a Lenten devotional book designed for teens
- •Serve outside the family: Volunteer weekly during Lent
- •Social media fast: Give up social media for 40 days and journal about it
- •Lead family devotions: Take turns leading the family Lent time
When It Gets Hard
Around week 2 or 3, enthusiasm often fades. Here's how to keep going:
- •Remember why you started: Refocus on the purpose—growing closer to Jesus
- •Adjust if needed: If something isn't working, change it. The practice serves you, not the other way around.
- •Talk about the struggle: Share openly as a family when it's hard. This is part of the journey.
- •Celebrate small wins: Notice and acknowledge growth, even small steps
- •Look ahead: Easter is coming! Keep your eyes on the finish line
- •Grace, grace, grace: If you miss days, start again. God's not counting your failures.
The Struggle Is the Point
Resources for the Journey
Recommended Devotional Books:
- •For Young Children: 'Benjamin's Box' by Melody Carlson
- •For Elementary: 'The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross' by Carl Laferton
- •For Families: 'Lent for Everyone' by N.T. Wright (read aloud)
- •For Teens: 'Not a Fan' by Kyle Idleman
Visual Aids:
- •Lenten calendar with daily Scripture readings
- •Crown of Thorns craft (remove a toothpick each day)
- •Empty tomb countdown
- •Jesse Tree extended through Lent
The Purpose of Lent
💡A Lenten Prayer for Families
Lord Jesus, as we begin this Lenten journey, prepare our hearts to meet You in a deeper way. Help us give up what needs to go and add in what draws us closer to You. When we're tired, give us strength. When we're distracted, refocus our hearts. Walk with us through these 40 days so that when we reach Easter, we truly understand what You've done for us. We love You, and we want to love You more. Amen.