How to Practice Lent with Your Grandchildren

Lent begins February 18^th. If your only familiarity with Lent is Mardi Gras, you may have a few questions. 

What is Lent? 

How did it start? 

And why practice it? 

Lent commemorates Jesus’s 40-day period of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Historians point to the practice after the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D, but church fathers like Irenaeus mention a pre-Easter fast as early as the second century. Just as Advent precedes Christmas, Lent prepares us for Easter. 

But why you, why now, and what does this have to do with the grandkids?

Lent adds depth to our Easter. Together time deepens any relationship. When we give God extra time, He can reveal new truths. 

About Himself. 

About others. 

About us. 

Because Jesus’s temptations don’t differ much from those we face today, a period of our own fasting can help us stand firm in the personal battles unique to us. Here’s how.

Reason #1 for Lent: The Flesh 

Matthew 4:1-4 NIV reads: 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Nothing exposes the grip our flesh has on our spirit quicker than fasting. Give up chocolate, caffeine, or carbs and the flesh pitches a fit worthy of a toddler in the terrible twos. 

This should concern us a lot more than it does. 

God wants us to rule our appetites, not the other way around. Fasting helps us practice. I don’t recommend a 40-day food fast like Jesus, but I encourage you to try a Daniel fast (Quick version: no meats, no sweets, no dairy). You won’t go hungry, and you might just kick those sugar cravings. As an added bonus, your taste buds will change for the better as they pick up more flavor. 

Note, too, the word “alone” in the verses above. (Reread.) Turn from whatever you are fasting and devote that time to God instead: prayer, Bible reading, podcasts, or books that help you grow. Even fiction and film can speak to your heart. 

But guess what? Our grandchildren struggle with the flesh too. Ask them where they battle indulgence versus self-control. Candy? Soda? Junk food? Ask them to join your fast. Perhaps you may choose to Daniel fast or to give up caffeine. Maybe they can choose soda. 

Whatever fits the need, but team up to conquer the flesh and prepare for Easter. 

Next, what will you both turn toward? Away from ______ and to ________. Prayer? Worship? Perhaps they can fast screen time in favor of Bible stories or a family game night. Hold each other accountable. 

Reason #2 for Lent: Shortcuts 

Matthew 4:5-7 reads: 

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

We Americans admire those with discipline and fortitude. Special ops like Navy SEALs. Olympic athletes. High achievers. We cheer them on—from the sidelines. 

Not everyone, of course. I’ve rubbed shoulders with many of you at marathons, 5:00 am CrossFit classes, and while traversing the Grand Canyon. Yet most prefer to be comfortable. If there’s a shortcut, we’ll take it. 

Satan offered Jesus a shortcut. He tried to talk Jesus into doing things his own way, not God’s.

But Jesus opted out, and so should we. 

Why take the long road? Because that’s where relationship and character are built. Following Jesus is hard. I like to know where I’m going before I get there. God asks me to simply trust. For the next forty days, join God instead of requesting that He join you and your agenda. See what He has in store. 

In what area are you tempted to shortcut the process? How about the grandkids?

Can you both commit to the long haul? Perhaps working up to a mile run or a 5K? Maybe learning an instrument or a skill like drawing or painting? Or it could be just learning to be still before God—without your phone. Team up and hold each other accountable. 

It’s like hiking Pikes Peak or the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. The only way to see the really cool stuff is to put in the effort. Journal what happens. Stretch your spiritual muscles.

Reason #3 for Lent: Idolatry 

Matthew 4:8-11 says: 

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

An idol is anything that takes top priority over God in our lives. So, think on it. 

List your top 5 most precious things. 

Could you give them up? 

Who or what gets your best time, energy, and attention?

Now, ask your grandkids the same questions. 

If Jesus isn’t hitting the number one spot, use Lent to make adjustments. 

Satan will offer the moon to get your worship, but only One is worthy. Don’t waste your time on a cheap substitute. 

Use the period of Lent to concentrate on Jesus. Savor that last week of Jesus’s life or read through the gospels. Laser-focus on Him. Easter means so much more when you soak in its events. Our faith differs from every major world religion and Easter is why.

Let’s go to the Father: 

Father God, Your Word says that if we seek You, we will find You. We commit to Lent and seeking You. Guide us as to how to encourage our grandchildren to seek You too. You have something special for all of us. We don’t want to miss it. In Jesus’s name. Amen. 

Give the practice of Lent a try this year and include your grandkids. 

Feed on the Bread of Life as you fast. 

Exercise your spiritual muscles as you seek God. 

Worship the only One who is worthy.

And enjoy your best, most meaningful Easter ever. 

Are you ready for the challenge? Nervous? Scared? I’ve created a Lent Bundle with Bible readings, journal pages, Daniel fasting tips, and resources, fiction, non-fiction as well as film, to help you and your family grow over the next forty days. 

Next week: Intercessory Prayer: How to Build Faith in Future Generations