Lent & Easter Resources
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter Sunday.Â
Lent gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the messy depths of our sin and experience the beautiful extravagance of God’s love. We pray, LORD, you have searched me and known me! Continue to search me and know my heart—test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (based on Psalm 139:23-24). God is everywhere and knows all things, so nothing is new to him. But the practice of confession allows us to better know ourselves and acknowledge our desperate need for him. God exposes our sin not to shame but to heal, not to condemn but to forgive and offer freedom. This leads us to reshift our gaze from being stuck on ourselves to adoration of Christ—his gracious and steadfast love, hope, and transforming power.
Lent gives us a special opportunity to move toward our neighbor. We practice making less of ourselves through fasting, refraining from indulgences, and emphasizing simplicity. And in turn, we create space to make more of others through service and generosity.Â
Lent prepares our hearts to celebrate with great joy the wonder and promise of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. We rejoice that Christ has been raised from the dead—the tomb could not keep him. He is alive and we are forgiven and free.
Below are some of our favorite resources that you can use to prepare your heart [and the heart of your family] for the celebration of Easter.
Children's Resources
Lenten Candles Family Activity and Devotion
PDF Printable of Family Devotion (print on 11x17 paper)
FREE Family Easter Devotional Download by Lifeway
Easter Basket Gift Guide(s) from Risen Motherhood (Check out even more resources HERE)
Books & Devotionals
Bitter & Sweet: A Journey into Easter by Tsh Oxenreider
The Daily Grace Co. Lent Collection: Devotional, Kid Cards, Scripture Cards, and more
+ THIS ARTICLE on What is Lent and Why Should I Observe it?
Journey to the Cross by Paul David Tripp
She Reads Truth Lent Collection 2024 (Also read for free online with daily postings HEREÂ + click on "Today's Reading", starting on February 14)Â
Romans (Vol 2): The Gospel-Centered Life A great choice if you're just starting out learning about how the hope of the gospel informs the way that you live.
Every Moment Holy FREE 2023 Lenten Journal Download (includes liturgies, prompts, and additional scripture readings for thought, prayer and practice)
FREEÂ Deeper Still 6 week daily reading plan through the book of Job and reflective scripture study guide by Kristin Vanderlip
Rest: A Journal for Lament  by Kristin Vanderlip (check out her article on 4 Tips to Create a Successful Journal Habit)
Music
Lent to Easter Spotify Playlist