Lent Reminder Jesus so loved us that He gave His life for us. We so love Jesus that we give our hearts to Him.

Transcription

1 Traditionally, Lent is the 40 days before Easter and is considered a time of reflection and repentance. The Seven Stars of Lent study provides families with a weekly activity to enhance their worship during the Lenten season. Each worship segment includes a scripture reading, a secret symbol which points to a different element of the last days of Jesus life, a Bible Memory Verse Song suggestion, and the Lent Reminder below which is recited each week: Lent Reminder While stars are not traditionally associated with the Lenten season, children love stars. In this study, they can look forward to the revealing of each of the seven stars and secret symbols. The Seven Stars of Lent study was inspired by the description of the seven stars in the right hand of the Son of Man described in Revelation 1:9-19. In Lenten studies for adults, the letters to the seven churches found in the book of Revelation are sometimes associated with the seven weeks of Lent as a call to repentance. This study does provide opportunity for repentance, but focuses primarily on who Jesus is and what He has done. The Seven Stars of Lent remind us of the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. To do that, many believers will give up a favorite thing or begin a new good habit. Giving up something special or starting a new habit helps our hearts and minds focus on Jesus and what He has done for us. By doing this study you may already be starting a new habit of coming together weekly for family time. Make a night of it by having a special dinner, taking a walk, or playing games. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials. Not for resale. Use is subject to the Terms of Use available at ResourceWell.org. Terms are subject to change without notice. All other rights are reserved. WORSHIP, WORD & WAY ~ Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org ~ Seven Stars of Lent ~ Page 1 of 8

2 Supply Checklist Seven Stars of Lent Resources: Print, audio, and video resources available through the Children s Ministries App and online at Print Seven Stars of Lent Poster Lent Reminder Poster Children s Guide for New Believers (optional) Download AUDIO: Bible Memory Verse Songs (Lyrics are in the back of this guide.) Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (2 Corinthians 3:17b-18) To Him Who Sits on the Throne (Revelation 5:13, 19:6-7) Well Done (Matthew 25:21) Praise the Lord, O My Soul (Psalm 103:1-5) Neither Death nor Life (Romans 8:38-39) Search Me, O God (Psalm 139:23-24) For God So Loved the World (John 3:16) VIDEO: Seven Stars of Lent Introduction Video (optional) Collect Bible Treasure Box: Any box or container that can fit each of the seven symbols below. Decorate it as a family at the beginning of Lent. Seven Symbols Paper heart Palm branch (or picture of a palm branch) Hand towel Bread and a cup Olive branch or a jar of olives Cross Easter egg Page 2

3 What is Lent? Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means spring. Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is also a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to start a new good habit. Read more at Why is Lent 40 days? The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1 11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1 13). What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Many Christians attend an Ash Wednesday service at their church where they receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance. Some may fast on Ash Wednesday. What is Holy Week? For some Christians, the week preceding Easter is known as Holy Week. It begins on Palm Sunday and is traditionally a week of somber reflection on the events preceding Jesus death: His triumphant entry into Jerusalem; His betrayal by Judas; His Last Supper with His twelve apostles; His arrest, crucifixion and death; and His burial in a tomb. Read more about Holy Week at Palm Sunday On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate Jesus procession into Jerusalem, which occurred several days before His death. Maundy Thursday On Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday), Christians commemorate the Last Supper a Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples the night before His death (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-39 and John 13:1-17:26). During the meal, Jesus broke bread and offered His followers wine, saying This is my body, given up for you. Good Friday Good Friday (also called Holy Friday) is the most somber day on the Christian calendar. Christians observe it as the day Jesus willingly suffered and died for the sins of the world. It came to be known as Good Friday because in Old English, the word good almost meant holy. Holy Saturday On Holy Saturday, we remember the day Jesus body lay in the tomb. Easter As a celebration of the day Jesus rose from the dead, Easter symbolizes forgiveness, rebirth, and God s saving power. Because of the resurrection, we have victory over sin and death! Page 3

4 2018 Lent Calendar February 11 February 12 February 13 February 14 Ash Wednesday First day of Lent February 15 February 16 February 17 THE TRANSFORMING STAR February 18 February 19 February 20 February 21 February 22 February 23 February 24 THE STAR OF PRAISE February 25 February 26 February 27 February 28 March 1 March 2 March 3 THE SERVANT STAR March 4 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 9 March 10 THE STAR OF REMEMBRANCE March 11 March 12 March 13 March 14 March 15 March 16 March 17 THE GARDEN STAR March 18 March 19 March 20 March 21 March 22 March 23 March 24 THE STAR OF THE CROSS March 25 Palm Sunday THE STAR OF LIFE April 1 Easter March 26 March 27 March 28 March 29 Maundy Thursday End of Lent March 30 Good Friday March 31 Holy Saturday We recommend families start the Seven Stars of Lent on Ash Wednesday or just before it. Set aside a time each week for the devotional. Write the days you will gather on the calendar and hang it in a place the family will see it. Page 4

5 THE TRANSFORMING STAR Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a heart shape (e.g. cut from paper or craft foam), your Bible turned to Psalm 51:10, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, Bible Memory Verse Song Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (2 Corinthians 3:17b-18), and (optional) The Seven Stars of Lent Introduction Video. Hide the Secret Symbol (heart shape) in the Treasure Box. Begin with The Seven Stars of Lent Introduction Video or read the script below. Script: The Seven Stars of Lent remind us of the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. That reminds us of how much God has given up for us and gives us more time to think about who God is and what He has done for us. Display the Seven Stars Poster. To prepare their hearts for Easter, many believers will give up a favorite thing or begin a new good habit. Giving up something special or starting a new habit helps our hearts and minds focus on Jesus and what He has done. It s a symbol of giving our very best to Him who gave His life for us. We know Jesus doesn t want our things He wants our hearts. When we give Him our hearts, the Holy Spirit slowly changes our hearts to be more like Jesus. This week s star is The Transforming Star. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (heart shape). This week s secret symbol is a heart. It stands for the way the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts. That means He changes our hearts to be more and more like Jesus. Let s pray these words silently in our hearts as we hear them read from the Bible. Child or parent reads Psalm 51:10 from the Bible. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: As we sing these words from the Bible, let s celebrate and thank God for showing His glory, which is His greatness, to others by the transforming of our hearts. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (lyrics in the back) or read 2 Corinthians 3:17b-18. Additional Activities Talk About: Discuss what special thing each of you might give up or what new habit you might start during Lent. Pray about your commitment and decide on a way you can encourage each other. Activity: Origami Heart Page 5

6 THE STAR OF PRAISE Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a palm branch (or picture), your Bible turned to Revelation 7:9-10, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song To Him Who Sits on the Throne (Revelation 5:13, 19:6-7). Hide the Secret Symbol (palm branch) in the Treasure Box. Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. The 40 days reminds us of the 40 days when Jesus fasted (gave up eating) in the wilderness. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? Giving up something special for Him brings us closer to Him. It makes us want to praise Him for everything He has given up for us. This week s star is The Star of Praise. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (palm branch). This week s secret symbol is a palm branch. It reminds us that the people waved their palm branches and shouted Hosanna! to Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-10). Hosanna means save us. To save us, Jesus had to take the punishment for our sins, even though He was innocent like a lamb. The Bible promises that one day in heaven we will all hold palm branches and worship Jesus for saving us. Child or parent reads Revelation 7:9-10 from the Bible. After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: Let s sing praises to Jesus who is also known as the Lamb of God. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: To Him Who Sits on the Throne (lyrics in the back) or read Revelation 5:13, 19:6-7. Additional Activities Talk About: Grab a ball or something soft you can toss. Take turns tossing the ball and naming something for which you can praise God. See how long you can keep it going! Activity: Seven Stars Mobile Cut out 7 stars from paper and decorate them with glitter, foil, markers, or crayons. Label each star with the name of one of the Seven Stars of Lent. Hang them from two twigs, straws, or a paper plate with string. Page 6

7 THE SERVANT STAR Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a hand towel, your Bible turned to John 13:13-15, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song Well Done (Matthew 25:21). Hide the Secret Symbol (hand towel) in the Treasure Box. Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. To do that, many believers will give up one favorite thing or begin one new good habit. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? Giving up something special or starting a new habit for Him helps our hearts and minds focus on Jesus and what He has given us. It s a symbol of giving our very best to God who gave His life for us. We know that Jesus doesn t want our things He wants our hearts. When we give Jesus our hearts, we want to serve others just as He served the disciples when washed their feet. This week s star is The Servant Star. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (hand towel). This week s secret symbol is a hand towel. It reminds us that even though Jesus was God, He took a towel and with the heart of a servant, washed the feet of His disciples. Child or parent reads John 13:13-15 from the Bible. Jesus said, You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: As we sing these words from the Bible, ask God to help us be faithful to love and serve others as Jesus loves and serves us. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: Well Done (lyrics in the back) or read Matthew 25:21. Additional Activities Talk About: Discuss what it means to have the heart of a servant. How can we serve those around us? Consider choosing a way for your family could serve someone this week. Activity: Foot washing As a family, have a foot washing ceremony in remembrance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Read John 13:1-17 as you take turns washing each other s feet. Page 7

8 THE STAR OF REMEMBRANCE Before your family devotional time, be sure you have bread and a cup, your Bible turned to Luke 22:19, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song Praise the Lord, O My Soul (Psalm 103:1-5). Hide the Secret Symbol (bread and a cup) in the Treasure Box. Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. The 40 days reminds us of the 40 days when Jesus fasted (gave up eating) in the wilderness. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? As you prepare your heart for Easter through giving up something special or continuing in your new habit, you can remember what Jesus has done for us. Each time you pray, read your Bible, worship God, give, spend time with other Christians, or serve, you can remember who Jesus is and what He has done. This week s star is The Star of Remembrance. Child reveals the Secret Symbols (bread and a cup). This week s secret symbols are the bread and the cup of the New Covenant. They help us remember how Jesus gave His life for us. Child or parent reads Luke 22:19 from the Bible. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Jesus gave us a special way to remember what He did for us. Each time you drink from a cup or eat bread, remember that Jesus gave His life for you. Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: Let s remember Jesus and His benefits all the good things He has done for us. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: Praise the Lord, O My Soul (lyrics in the back) or read Psalm 103:1-5. Additional Activities Talk About: All who believe in Jesus are welcome to participate in Communion. If you or one of your children have never taken communion or if you do not yet believe in Jesus as Your Lord, talk about what it means to follow Jesus. See the Children s Guide for New Believers for more about how you can have a personal relationship with Jesus. Activity: Communion Read Matthew 26: Ever since that Last Supper, believers have gathered to remember Jesus by eating bread and drinking juice or wine. We call it the Lord s Supper or Holy Communion. When celebrating communion, we follow Jesus instructions by eating a piece of bread and drinking a sip of grape juice or wine. The bread represents Jesus body that was given for us. He gave it to pay for our sins so we could be forgiven and have life forever close with God. Jesus said the cup represented His blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus shed His blood and gave His life so anyone who believes in Him would be forgiven and have life forever close with God. Page 8

9 THE GARDEN STAR Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a jar of olives or an olive branch, your Bible turned to John 17:24, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song Neither Death nor Life (Romans 8:38-39). Hide the Secret Symbol (olive branch or jar of olives) in the Treasure Box. Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? For Lent, you may have chosen to start a new habit, such as reading the Bible each day or choosing a special place and time for daily prayer. The word lent means spring, a time for new flowers to bloom and for gardens to grow. This week s star is The Garden Star. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (olive branch or jar of olives). This week s secret symbol is a jar of olives (or olive branch). It stands for the olive trees that were growing in the garden where Jesus went to pray on the last night of His life. There, He took time to pray for us all. Hear how He prayed for us in the garden that night. Child or parent reads John 17:24 from the Bible. Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world. When Jesus prayed in the garden, He prayed God s will would be done and He prayed for His disciples and all who would we believe. That means He prayed for you, too! Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: Let s give our hearts in praise to Jesus now as we sing that nothing can separate us from His love. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: Neither Death nor Life (lyrics in the back) or read Romans 8: Additional Activities Talk About: Share your favorite places and times to pray. What does it mean to pray for God s will to be done? Take time for each family member to pray. For those who are unsure or uncomfortable praying, ask them to share the name of someone for whom they would like to pray. Consider keeping a list of prayer requests and see what God will do! Activity: Easter lilies For Christians, the Easter lily is a reminder of Christ's resurrection and the hope we have in Him of eternal life. Lillies are also a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating. Purchase an Easter lily for your home or you may be able to donate an Easter lily for your church to display at Easter to honor or remember someone you love. You can also make your own Easter lilies with some paper and your handprints! Check it out here: Page 9

10 THE STAR OF THE CROSS Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a small cross or picture of a cross, your Bible turned to Colossians 2:13b-15, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song Search Me, O God (Psalm 139:23-24). Hide the Secret Symbol (cross) in the Treasure Box. Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? This week is called Holy Week, the week before we celebrate Easter. During Holy Week, take time to think about what Jesus did for us on the cross. This week s star is The Star of the Cross. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (cross). This week s secret symbol is a cross. It stands for the place where Jesus died for us to take the punishment for our sin. Sin is doing wrong in God s eyes. Jesus died so we could be forgiven; it is as if He nailed our sins to the cross. Three days later, God raised Jesus back to life. By winning over death, Jesus brings us life forever close to God. Child or parent reads Colossians 2:13b-15 from the Bible. God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: Each time you see a cross, remember that Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Everyone sins, but the Bible promises if we admit our sins to Him, Jesus is faithful and just and He will forgive us. Let s ask Him to search our hearts to show us our sin and to lead us to do things His way. Sing: Bible Memory Verse Song: Search Me, O God (lyrics in the back) or read Psalm 139: Additional Activities Talk About: Discuss the meaning of each of the special days of Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). See page 3 for summaries of each Holy Day. Activity: Holy Week Decide if your family will participate in any services your church may have on these days or consider inviting another family to your home and sharing the Easter story with them. Page 10

11 THE STAR OF LIFE Before your family devotional time, be sure you have an Easter egg, your Bible turned to John 11:25-26, the Lent Reminder Poster, the Seven Stars Poster, and Bible Memory Verse Song For God So Loved the World (John 3:16). Hide the Secret Symbol (Easter egg) in the Treasure Box. If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it s going. How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us? Display the Seven Stars Poster. Today, we celebrate the last of the seven stars. During Lent, we focused our hearts on who Jesus is and what He has done for us. At the end of Lent, believers celebrate because after Jesus died for us, God raised Him from the dead. Jesus is alive forever! That s why our final star is named The Star of Life. Child reveals the Secret Symbol (Easter egg). Our secret symbol for Easter is an egg. It stands for new life. On the first Easter, God the Father raised His Son Jesus from death to life! He is alive forever! The egg reminds us that just as a baby chick begins its life from an egg, our new life with God begins when we first believe in Jesus. Child or parent reads John 11:25-26 from the Bible. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder: Each time you see an Easter egg, celebrate the forever life Jesus gives to all believers. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). That s something to celebrate! Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: For God So Loved the World (lyrics in the back) or read John 3:16. Additional Activities Talk About: Discuss how doing this study for Lent helped you focus on Jesus. How have you changed or how have you shared what you have learned with others? Activity: Easter Create a new family tradition to remember Jesus resurrection on Easter. See below for some ideas. Make Resurrection Rolls using marshmallows, butter, cinnamon, sugar, and refrigerated crescent rolls ( Share the resurrection story with Resurrection Eggs. Purchase or make your own (lifeyourway.net/diy-ressurection-eggs-easter-story-book-printables). Preschool version available at Read an Easter storybook together such as The Easter Story by Pingry, God Gave Us Easter by Bergren, or The Very First Easter by Maier. Color Easter eggs. Choose a way your family can focus your hearts of Jesus year-round such as beginning a daily or weekly family devotional, committing to attend church weekly, or finding a place where your family can serve together. Page 11

12 Bible Memory Verse Songs Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (2 Corinthians 3:17b-18) Oh, oh glory, oh glory of the Lord. (2x.) Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, oh freedom, And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord. Oh glory, glory of the Lord. Oh glory, oh glory of the Lord. We re being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord, the glory of the Lord. (2x.) Oh, oh glory, oh glory of the Lord. (Repeat.) Oh, oh glory, oh glory of the Lord. (3x.) To Him Who Sits on the Throne (Revelation 5:13, 19:6-7) To Him who sits on the throne, To Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, And to the Lamb, Be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (3x.) Our Lord God Almighty reigns. (Repeat.) Our Lord God Almighty reigns. Well Done (Matthew 25:21) Well done, good and faithful servant! You ve been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come, share your master's happiness. Well done! I want to hear Him say, Well done! Good and faithful one. I want to hear Him say, Well done! Come, share your master's happiness. Well done! Well done, good and faithful servant! I want to hear Him say, Well done! You ve been faithful with a few things; Good and faithful one. I will put you in charge of many things. I want to hear Him say, Well done! Come, share your master's happiness. Well done! Well done! (2x.) Praise the Lord, O My Soul (Psalm 103:1-5) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Praise the Lord. Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Praise the Lord. (Repeat.) Page 12

13 Praise the Lord. Neither Death nor Life (Romans 8:38-39) Neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons. Neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers. Neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will separate us from the love, the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Repeat.) Search Me, O God (Psalm 139:23-24) Search me, O God, and know my heart. (3x.) Search me, O God. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. (3x.) Test me, O God. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way, lead me in the way everlasting, everlasting. (Repeat.) Everlasting. Come search my heart. (3x.) For God So Loved the World (John 3:16) English Chorus For God so loved the world That He gave His one and only Son, That whoever believes in Him Shall not perish but have eternal life. I believe! Yo creo! For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son. Spanish Chorus Tanto amó Dios al mundo, Que dio a su Hijo unigénito, Para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, Sino que tenga vida eterna. I believe! Yo creo! For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son. Scripture Reading Tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna. Spanish and English Chorus Tanto amó Dios al mundo, God so loved the world, Que dio a su Hijo unigénito, He gave His only Son, Para que todo el que cree en él, That whoever believes in Him, no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna. Shall not perish but have eternal life. Page 13

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