Lent is a time to slow down and create space to reflect and engage the death and resurrection of Jesus through fasting, prayer, and repentance.

Transcription

1 LENT

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3 Dear Parents, Lent is a time to slow down and create space to reflect and engage the death and resurrection of Jesus through fasting, prayer, and repentance. During the season of Lent we are invited to subtract something so that God can add something new. It s a time to reorient our lives around Jesus, recognizing and denying the things that fill our hearts, minds, and time. Together, we follow Jesus model of spending 40 days in the wilderness. Through fasting and praying we can intentionally create space to reconnect with Jesus, reflect on the cross, and embrace repentance. When it comes to the formation of our kids, a parent s influence is greater than anything else. Our prayer is that this season of Lent would provide space for your family to pray and reconnect with Jesus and each other in new and profound ways. To help you in this pursuit, we ve created a resource that s full of unique and encouraging ways to fast, pray, and reflect as a family on the meaning of Easter, Jesus, and your lives. We hope it will be helpful. May this season of Lent bring renewal to you and yours. Grace + Peace, The Family LIfe Team Kristi Chapin, Stacy DeJonge, Angie Douglass, Nikki Grasmeyer, Kyle Lake, David McGovern, Jaime Powell, Kortlyn Shoemaker 1

4 Fasting We encourage each family to choose something to fast from, either individually or collectively. We fast during Lent not to gain approval from God or others, but rather by denying ourselves we can intentionally replace whatever we re longing for with something new [prayer, reflection, repentance, or other experiences] that points us back to Jesus. This process helps us reorder and center our lives and family around Jesus as we journey toward Easter. During the season of Lent there are 40 days of fasting and 6 Sundays of feasting/celebrating. Every Sunday during Lent your family will celebrate the resurrection by partaking in what you fasted from during the week. Have fun with this time and plan something together! Choose one thing individually or as a family to fast from for the duration of Lent, or mix it up by choosing something different each week. Here are some examples of a rotating fast: [Monday-Saturday] Week 1: One Food item Week 2: Social Networking Week 3: TV/Movies/Media on Phones/Tablets/Video Games Week 4: Caffeine or Sweets Week 5: Music/Podcasts/Radio Week 6: Drinks [Water Only] [Sunday] Feast + Celebrate as a family on Sunday, partaking in whatever you choose to deny yourself during the week. Prayer + Reflection As we give something up, we also must replace it. During the week as you crave or long for the thing you gave up, may you recognize that feeling, pause, listen and redirect it toward Jesus in prayer and reflection. Furthermore, we have provided morning and evening prayers that you can say and learn together as a family. Experiences/Almsgiving Along with prayer, we can also replace our fast with new experiences. As a family, be creative and generous with your time and resources by investing into areas of need within your family, friends, city, and world. For a list of experiences and examples see Appendix A. 2

5 WEEK 1 Scripture: Mark 1v1-13, Psalm 47 [Optional] Think about the Scripture throughout the week, and talk about it during family dinner night after preparing a meal together. Prayer + Blessing [Morning, Bedtime, or Both] Morning Prayer: Almighty God, whose Son was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who face many temptations; and, as you know the weakness of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer Evening Prayer: Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our friend in the way, light our hearts, and awake hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer Table Time Choose a night during the week to cook and eat dinner together. Dinner time is formational to our kids and families. We hope you take some time to enjoy the process as a family. If you need inspiration we have included dinner ideas/recipes in Appendix B [Dinner Recipes]. Discussion questions for Dinner Time: What weird food have you eaten in your life? Would you rather have to eat locusts for food or wear clothes made out of camel s hair? What would it be like to be in the wilderness for 40 days? If you could take one person into the wilderness for a while, who would you take? When did you feel close to God this week? When did you feel far away from God? Experience Choose an experience from Appendix A or come up with your own activity for Week 1 to engage the season of Lent through giving and service. 3

6 WEEK 2 Scripture: Mark 4v1-20, Psalm 62 [Optional] Think about the Scripture throughout the week, and talk about it during family dinner night after preparing a meal together. Prayer + Blessing [Morning, Bedtime, or Both] Morning Prayer: I give thanks before your face, O living and eternal King, for you have returned my life breath to me this morning with warmth and love. Great is your faithfulness. Ancient Jewish Blessing Evening Prayer: O God, you give life to all who live. We thank you for the gift of the day that is past, and ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer Table Time Choose a night during the week to cook and eat dinner together. Dinner time is formational to our kids and families. We hope you take some time to enjoy the process as a family. If you need inspiration we have included dinner ideas/recipes in Appendix B [Dinner Recipes]. Discussion questions for Dinner Time: Why do you think a large crowd was following Jesus? Why do you think Jesus told a parable about a sower and not something else? Which path do you identify with in your faith right now? Why? If you were to tell this parable another way, how would you tell it? When did you feel close to God this week? When did you feel far away from God? Experience Choose an experience from Appendix A, or come up with your own activity for Week 2 to engage the season of Lent through giving and service. 4

7 WEEK 3 Scripture: Psalm 51 [Families with young children, read Psalm 51v10], Mark 5v21-43 [Optional] Think about the Scripture throughout the week, and talk about it during family dinner night after preparing a meal together. Prayer + Blessing [Morning, Bedtime, or Both] Morning Prayer: Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to the beginning of this day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by the difficulties of this life; and in all I do, direct me to live in your path; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen. Adapted from the Divine Hours Evening Prayer: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Book of Common Prayer Table Time Choose a night during the week to cook and eat dinner together. Dinner time is formational to our kids and families. We hope you take some time to enjoy the process as a family. If you need inspiration we have included dinner ideas/recipes in Appendix B [Dinner Recipes]. Discussion questions for Dinner Time: Why do you think the Psalmist wrote a song about his sin? Steadfast means true or constant. What does it mean to have a steadfast spirit? What do you think it means for God to create a pure heart in you and renew a steadfast spirit in you [v.10]? What does it look like to have a pure heart? When did you feel close to God this week? When did you feel far away from God? Experience Choose an experience from Appendix A, or come up with your own activity for Week 3 to engage the season of Lent through giving and service. 5

8 WEEK 4 Scripture: John 3v1-21 [Families with young children, read John 3v16-17], Psalm 103 [Optional] Think about the Scripture throughout the week, and talk about it during family dinner night after preparing a meal together. Prayer + Blessing [Morning, Bedtime, or Both] Morning Prayer: Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103v1-3, 22b Evening Prayer: I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let our foot slip he who watches over us will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over his people will neither slumber nor sleep. As we rest this evening, O Lord, watch over us and sustain us to the morning s light. Based on Psalm 121v1-4 Table Time Choose a night during the week to cook and eat dinner together. Dinner time is formational to our kids and families. We hope you take some time to enjoy the process as a family. If you need inspiration we have included dinner ideas/recipes in Appendix B [Dinner Recipes]. Discussion questions for Dinner Time: What word, phrase, or idea stood out to you from this passage? What do you think it means to be born of the Spirit? Perish means to die or pass away. Eternal means forever/always. How do we have eternal life? Condemn means to punish or get into trouble. How did Jesus save the world? What do you think it means to have eternal life? When did you feel close to God this week? When did you feel far away from God? Experience Choose an experience from Appendix A, or come up with your own activity for Week 4 to engage the season of Lent through giving and service. 6

9 WEEK 5 Scripture: Mark 15, Psalm 22 [Optional] [Families with young children: Use a Storybook Bible to read about the death + burial of Jesus] Think about the Scripture throughout the week, and talk about it during family dinner night after preparing a meal together. Prayer + Blessing [Morning, Bedtime, or Both] Almighty God, you alone can bring order to the unruly wills and affection of sinners: grant your people grace to love what you have commanded and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changed of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen. The Book of Common Prayer Table Time Choose a night during the week to cook and eat dinner together. Dinner time is formational to our kids and families. We hope you take some time to enjoy the process as a family. If you need inspiration we have included dinner ideas/recipes in Appendix B [Dinner Recipes]. Discussion questions for Dinner Time: Have you ever been accused of something in front of other people? How did it make you feel? Have you ever gotten in trouble for something you did not do? How did it make you feel? Why do you think Mark writes about the story of Jesus death? Why do you think Jesus had to die? How does hearing this story make you feel? When did you feel close to God this week? When did you feel far away from God? Experience Choose an experience from Appendix A, or come up with your own activity for Week 5 to engage the season of Lent through giving and service. 7

10 APPENDIX A As we provide space for God to form and move us, we can also take this time to pray and give towards others. Part of the tradition of Lent is Almsgiving, where we give our time and resources in ways we might not normally think to do. Serving and giving as a family can form our kids in profound ways, so during this season of Lent take time to engage new experiences together. Come up with experiences on your own or choose from the ideas below. Visit 20liters.org to read information and watch videos about our world s water crisis. Talk about how you might be able to donate and help during this season of Lent. Neighborhood Walk Take a walk and pray for your neighbors. Consider baking cookies and delivering them. Write a note of encouragement or color a picture for someone you know. Go to a local coffee shop and buy someone a cup of coffee. Talk about being generous and selfless as a family. Take extra change and bottle returns and donate it to a local or global cause. Sabbath Saturday Regardless of what you fast from, plan intentional rest and family time each Saturday through Lent. Cook dinner for another family and invite them into your home. Take time to plan a family vacation for the summer. Color a picture for someone in your school. Create a journal and write encouraging notes to each person in your family. On Easter Sunday take turns reading your notes to each person in the family. Throughout the season of Lent, write small notes of what God is teaching you and put it in a Memory Jar. Read all the memories and things God has taught you on Easter Sunday. Take a walk in nature and pray the selected prayers provided in this guide. Create and write your own prayer as a family. Wake up 20 minutes early to pray and listen to God. 8

11 APPENDIX B Dinner time is important for every family. Throughout Lent, you re invited to carve out some time each week to prepare and eat a meal together. During this time, you can recap your day, read the Scripture for the week and discuss it as a family. The recipes you ll find below are all modern takes on biblical food and/or utilize ingredients mentioned in the Bible. They were also selected as items for you and your family to cook together. Here are some tips on how your children can assist in this process [with adult supervision, of course]: Toddlers Preschoolers Elementary Students Can help measure, mix, and spread ingredients All of the above, plus grating ingredients, tearing the leaves off of herbs, and setting the table All of the above, plus chopping and slicing ingredients All of the above, plus operating kitchen appliances, and grocery shopping 9

12 RECIPE 1 MEDITERRANEAN PITA PIZZA q Homemade Hummus [see recipe] q Pita q Shredded chicken breast q Canned artichoke hearts, chopped q Fire-roasted diced tomatoes q Olives [any kind] q Feta cheese q Grated Pecorino or parmesan cheese q Oregano q Aleppo or crushed red pepper q Chopped parsley q Salt Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees Spread hummus liberally on each piece of pita Top with chicken, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, feta and pecorino Place pizzas on baking sheet for 8-10 minutes until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and top with dried oregano, Aleppo pepper, grated lemon zest, parsley, sea salt and drizzle with olive oil. HOMEMADE HUMMUS q 2 cups drained well-cooked or canned chickpeas, liquid reserved q 1/2 cup tahini [sesame paste], optional, with some of its oil q 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus oil for drizzling q 2 cloves garlic, peeled, or to taste q Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste q 1 tablespoon ground cumin or paprika, or to taste, plus a sprinkling for garnish q Juice of 1 lemon, plus more as needed Directions Add all ingredients to food processor or blender. Add chickpea liquid or water as needed. 10

13 RECIPE 2 LENTIL SOUP q 2 tablespoons olive oil q 1 cup finely chopped onion q 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot q 1/2 cup finely chopped celery q 2 teaspoons kosher salt q 1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed q 1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes q 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth q 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coriander q 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground toasted cumin q 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground grains of paradise Directions Place the olive oil into a large pot and set over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, carrot, celery, and salt and sweat until the onions are translucent, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, coriander, cumin, and grains of paradise and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Using a stick blender, puree to your preferred consistency. Serve immediately. 11

14 RECIPE 3 FISH TACOS + MEDITERRANEAN SALAD Tacos: q 2 lbs Tilapia or Salmon, skinned and deboned q Mediterranean seasoning mix q 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for searing Mediterranean Salad: q 4 medium tomatoes, diced q 2 cucumbers q 1 white onion diced q 4 sprigs oregano, minced q 3 medium lemons, juiced, saving one for the blended dressing q 3 sprigs parsley q 2 cloves of garlic q 3 tablespoons of wine vinegar q 4 tablespoons of olive oil q salt and pepper q 1/2 cup of feta cheese Remaining : q Hummus q Tortilla q 1 small head of red cabbage q Greek yogurt Directions In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, oregano, and lemon juice. Whisk together the juice of one lemon, parsley, garlic, wine vinegar, olive oil and salt. Add the dressing to the salad and sprinkle with feta cheese. Line two cookie sheets with foil. Generously salt fish and cut into evenly sized pieces that can be easily flipped with a spatula. Place on cookie sheet. Coat with seasoning on both sides. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a frying pan and sear each piece for 5-7 minutes on each side until blackened, and place on the other cookie sheet. The inside should be light pink but not raw. If the inside is too undercooked you can finish them in the oven for a few minutes at 350 degrees. Break fish apart with fork. Warm tortillas on a hot skillet. To build your taco, smear with hummus, top with fish, shredded cabbage, Mediterranean salad, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. 12

15 RECIPE 4 GRILLED KEBABS q 2 lbs beef [or veal], cut in cubes q 6 small onions or leeks q 1 large eggplant, sliced q 2 yellow squash, sliced q 20oz container of cherry tomatoes q Garlic cloves [to taste] q Salt and pepper q Allspice q Yogurt and apricot sauce or peach jam sauce [optional] q Thick-crusted bread Directions Alternately slide a beef cube, a small portion of onion, a slice of eggplant, a slice of squash, and two cherry tomatoes onto a skewer until the skewer is full. Put several garlic cloves through a fine press and into a small bowl. Use a small brush or rub the garlic by hand over portions of the meat and vegetables. Mix together the salt, pepper, and allspice in a cup; sprinkle over each skewer. Grill over charcoal, turning several times to prevent overcooking. If desired for added flavor, baste with a yogurt and apricot or peach jam sauce while cooking. Remove the skewers and serve in a piece of hollowed-out, thickcrusted bread. Optional: sprinkle with 1 or 2 Tbsp. sumac garnish. SUMAC GARNISH q 1 onion, chopped very fine q 1/2 cup minced parsley q 1 tsp sumac Yields: 8 12 servings 13

16 RECIPE 5 LEMON CHICKEN + TABBOULEH SALAD LEMON CHICKEN q 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves q 4 teaspoons flour q 2 teaspoons oil q 1/2 cup of chicken broth q 1 teaspoon minced garlic q 2 teaspoons lemon juice q 1 teaspoon butter q salt and pepper Directions Flatten chicken slightly. Dust with flour. Salt and pepper chicken. Fry in hot oil, 5 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan. Add broth, garlic, lemon juice and butter to pan. Cook 2 minutes. Pour over chicken. TABBOULEH SALAD q 1/4 cup olive oil q 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice q 3 large garlic cloves, minced q 1 cup bulgur [cracked wheat] q 1 cup boiling water q 1 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes q 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley q 2 large green onions, chopped q 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint Directions Whisk oil, lemon juice, and garlic in small bowl to blend; set aside. Place bulgur in large bowl. Mix in 1 cup boiling water. Let stand until bulgur is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomatoes, parsley, green onions, and mint. Add oil mixture; toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. [Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.] 14

17 RECIPE 6 BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD + POTATO LATKES BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD q 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil q 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil q 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar q 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard q 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest q 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice q 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds q 1 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese [2 ounces] q salt q freshly ground pepper Directions Preheat the oven to 350. In a pie plate, toast the hazelnuts until the skins blister, about 15 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a clean kitchen towel and let cool, then rub to remove the skins. Coarsely chop the nuts. In a bowl, whisk the hazelnut oil with the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, lemon zest and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds and shaved cheese and toss well. Sprinkle the chopped hazelnuts on top and serve right away. 15

18 CLASSIC POTATO LATKES q 2 large Russet potatoes [about 1 pound], scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters q 1 large onion [8 ounces], peeled and cut into quarters q 2 large eggs q 1/2 cup all purpose flour q 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt [or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt], plus more for sprinkling q 1 teaspoon baking powder q 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper q Safflower or other oil, for frying Directions Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dish towel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible. Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed. In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot [a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle], use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter. 16

19 Mars Hill Bible Church