Great Children's Books for the Season of Lent

I found this comprehensive list of books on aslanslibrary.wordpress.com and I hope that they will be helpful to all of you! I will write more extensively about a few of them in the February/ March Newsletter. Each blue text title is a hyper link to original blog. 

p.s. the First Sunday of Lent is March 9th. 

Topic: Jesus at the Forefront!

• The Jesus Storybook Bible
• At Jerusalem’s Gate
• Miracles of Jesus

Topic: Sin, Judgment, and Grace

• Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
• The Book of Jonah
• Exodus
• Noah’s Ark
• Passover: Celebrating Now, Remembering Then

Topic: Humility

• Just the Way You Are
• Psalms for Young Children
• Sidney and Norman

Topic: Spiritual Disciplines and Holy Living

• Come Worship with Me
• Dangerous Journey
• The Divine Hours

Food for Thought about Lent (and Easter)

• Don’t Skip Lent!
• An Easter Discipline
• Lent as a Gift
• Our Greatest Celebration
• Playlists for Lent and Easter
• Reading Through the Events of Holy Week
• Sights and Sounds of Lent
• Walking Through Lent with Children

Jesus is Baptized (Jan. 26th)

Season of the Church Year: Great Green Growing Season/ Common Time (Liturgical Color: green)  
Story in Scripture: Mark 1: 9-11

This incredible story provides some insight into the powerful way that Jesus entered in to his ministry. Along the banks of the Jordan River, Jesus’ cousin John is causing quite a stir and many are waiting eagerly for his proclamations to come true. He is already baptizing and teaching about how people must change their ways and get ready for Jesus. We paraphrase his prophecy in this way: “John said, ‘Get ready! God is sending someone special. The special Son of God is coming!’” When Jesus approaches John to be baptized, we see a beautiful example of humility and servant-hood. Most importantly, when Jesus is baptized, John’s prophecy’s are solidified by God’s acknowledgement of Jesus as his Son. What a fantastic illustration of God’s love a pleasure in us- even before Christ’s first miracle, before he walked on water, or fed 5,000.... God claimed him as his own and demonstrated his pleasure. We talked as a group about how God loves us- no matter what- he loves us from the very beginning! 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder if it was hard for the to change the way they lived? 
I wonder how they felt when they went through the waters and went under the water to be baptized? 
I wonder how they felt when they came out of the water? 
I wonder is it was hard to wait for the special Son of God? 
I wonder if they felt ready to be close to the special Son of God? 

Prayer: 

“Dear God, thank you for loving us from the very beginning. You sent your son Jesus to be with us and to show us how to live and love each other.  Help us to make good choices and to treat others well. Amen.” 

Boy Jesus in the Temple (Jan. 19th)

Season of the Church Year: Great Green Growing Season/ Common Time (Liturgical color: green)  

Story in Scripture: Luke 2:22- 38

As we continue to celebrate the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem, it is a special time to consider what Jesus’s first years were like. Although Mary and Joseph were beginning to understand just how important Jesus is, they were probably frequently surprised by him. In this story, we learn about how Anna and Simeon proclaim the good news of who Jesus is. Both of these wise prophets acknowledge the divinity of Jesus- surely causing quite a stir in the temple. Mary and Joseph have arrived to follow Jewish custom in presenting their child to God. They have waited patiently for the right time and have journeyed from Bethlehem as a family. Both Simeon and Anna are there, waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Imagine Mary’s astonishment when these strangers approach her and her baby- confirming what they have been told by the Angels. This is a significant story in that Anna is also written in to God’s story as a prophet. As a woman, she provides a unique perspective on God’s promise, especially because women had a very different role during this historical time than they do now. Isn’t it amazing that God chose to share the good news of Jesus in such unexpected ways? I have included more questions than usual below because it is important to take into consideration all the varying points of view in this incredible story. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder how it feels to hold this baby? 
I wonder how Simeon feels as he looks at the baby? I wonder how Simeon knows this baby is the Christ? 
I wonder how Mary feels about what Simeon said to God? 
I wonder how Anna feels when she looks at the baby? I wonder how Anna knows that Jesus is the Christ? 
I wonder how Anna feels telling people that Christ has come? 
I wonder why Anna is the first to go and tell that God has given the promised gift of Jesus the Christ? 

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for Mary, Joseph, Anna, and Simeon. This story helps us to understand that you include all people in your story. You love all people and want them to learn about Jesus. Help us to share your good news with our friends. You have given us such a wonderful gift, we want to share it! Amen.” 

Presentation of the Baby Jesus (Jan. 12th)

Season of the Church Year: Great Green Growing Season/ Common Time (Liturgical color: green)  
Story in Scripture: Luke 2:22- 38

As we continue to celebrate the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem, it is a special time to consider what Jesus’s first years were like. Although Mary and Joseph were beginning to understand just how important Jesus is, they were probably frequently surprised by him. In this story, we learn about how Anna and Simeon proclaim the good news of who Jesus is. Both of these wise prophets acknowledge the divinity of Jesus- surely causing quite a stir in the temple. Mary and Joseph have arrived to follow Jewish custom in presenting their child to God. They have waited patiently for the right time and have journeyed from Bethlehem as a family. Both Simeon and Anna are there, waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Imagine Mary’s astonishment when these strangers approach her and her baby- confirming what they have been told by the Angels. This is a significant story in that Anna is also written in to God’s story as a prophet. As a woman, she provides a unique perspective on God’s promise, especially because women had a very different role during this historical time than they do now. Isn’t it amazing that God chose to share the good news of Jesus in such unexpected ways? I have included more questions than usual below because it is important to take into consideration all the varying points of view in this incredible story. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 
Now I wonder how it feels to hold this baby? 
I wonder how Simeon feels as he looks at the baby? I wonder how Simeon knows this baby is the Christ? 
I wonder how Mary feels about what Simeon said to God? 
I wonder how Anna feels when she looks at the baby? I wonder how Anna knows that Jesus is the Christ? 
I wonder how Anna feels telling people that Christ has come? 
I wonder why Anna is the first to go and tell that God has given the promised gift of Jesus the Christ? 

Prayer: 

“Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for Mary, Joseph, Anna, and Simeon. This story helps us to understand that you include all people in your story. You love all people and want them to learn about Jesus. Help us to share your good news with our friends. You have given us such a wonderful gift, we want to share it! Amen.” 

Epiphany & Christmas Celebration (Jan. 5th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2 

Epiphany Sunday was a day for celebrating, feasting, and enjoying the excitement of the Christmas season. The children reflected on their time with family and friends, and the entire Christmas story was read again (until now, the story has been only read in parts, as connected with the Advent seasons’ weekly focus). Also, the children discussed the coming year and the ways in which we can glorify God in our work.... in our play... in our rest.... in our celebrations... and in our response to challenges. Ephesians 5: 1-2 was used as a connecting verse, helping the children to consider ways in which their life might be a “fragrant sacrifice” for God. You will notice that they created an orange studded with cloves as a reminder of the commitment to bring our sweet and beautiful offering to God each day. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how I might show God that I love him? 

I wonder what things God wants me to do this year so that I can be my very best me?  

I wonder what things I might sacrifice/ give up in order to please God? (i.e. anger, jealousy, laziness, exclusion)  

I wonder what things I might begin to do that will please God and bring glory to him? (i.e. helping others, patience, prayer, sharing, inclusion)

Prayer: 

“Father, thank you for bringing us safely to another year! You have loved us well and we hope to love you well too. Teach us to give up things that are not best for us and to begin things that help us to glorify you. Amen.”