Before your family devotional time, be sure you have a palm branch (or picture). Hide the Secret Symbol (palm branch) in the Treasure Box.
Display the Seven Stars Poster and review what Lent is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter when we join believers all over the world in getting our hearts ready to celebrate Easter. The 40 days reminds us of the 40 days when Jesus fasted (gave up eating) in the wilderness.
If family members have given up a favorite thing or started a new habit for Lent, share how it’s going. Ask, 'How has it helped your heart and mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done for us?'
Giving up something special for Him brings us closer to Him. It makes us want to praise Him for everything He has given up for us. This week’s star is The Star of Praise.
Child reveals the Secret Symbol (palm branch). This week’s secret symbol is a palm branch. It reminds us that the people waved their palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” to Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-10). Hosanna means “save us.” To save us, Jesus had to take the punishment for our sins, even though He was innocent like a lamb. The Bible promises that one day in heaven we will all hold palm branches and worship Jesus for saving us.
Child or parent reads Revelation 7:9-10 from the Bible.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”
Display the Lent Reminder. Join me in saying our Lent Reminder:
Let’s sing praises to Jesus who is also known as the Lamb of God. Sing Bible Memory Verse Song: “To Him Who Sits on the Throne” or read Revelation 5:13, 19:6-7.
Additional Activities
Talk About: Grab a ball or something soft you can toss. Take turns tossing the ball and naming something for which you can praise God. See how long you can keep it going!
Activity: Seven Stars Mobile: Cut out 7 stars from paper and decorate them with glitter, foil, markers, or crayons. Label each star with the name of one of the Seven Stars of Lent. Hang them from two twigs, straws, or a paper plate with string.
Return to Seven Stars of Lent main page.