Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Kicking Off Lent and Celebrating Forgiveness
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. -Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. Enjoy!
Lent Begins: Celebrate Forgiveness!
This week I’m not going to re-invent the wheel. We kicked off the Lent season on Ash Wednesday with this great idea from Anne Voskamp’s blog, aholyexperience.com. Just follow the link to read Anne’s idea for yourself.
Here’s the basic idea:
Lent is the time of year when we focus on Christ’s journey to the cross. It’s a time of celebrating the forgiveness His incredible sacrifice offers us. It’s also, historically, a time of repentance when we acknowledge our ongoing need for the cross.
In an effort to launch our family into a mindset of confession and repentance, I passed around a bowl filled with flour during dinner time. (The flour reminds us that we were made from the dust by God’s hand. It also reminds us that we are weak and He is strong, fully able to forgive and redeem us).
I invited the kids to think of one thing they needed forgiveness for and then to write that word or draw a picture symbolizing that need in the flour. As they drew in the flour, they confessed that sin to Jesus in prayer. Then, they shook the bowl and watched the drawing disappear as the flour shuffled in the pan– a a beautiful reminder of how forgiveness washes us clean and gives us a fresh slate.
After this little activity, I suggested that the kids use the flour to draw a cross on their foreheads (or cheeks) as a tangible reminder (until bath time) of the atoning work of Christ on the cross.
Josh was sad that his flour fell off on his pillow, but I assured him that he was welcome to create another flour tattoo the next morning! After all, through Christ, grace is given anew each morning!
The Overflow: Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
Anne gets all the credit for this idea 🙂 I love the way moms can borrow great ideas from each other. Makes the journey so much more fun.
Great idea. Love visuals to complement teaching points!
Wonderful faith building idea!
I love the flour cross faces! 🙂