b'Facilitate a Weekly Lenten Challenge The six-plus weeks of Lent can be a long time to engage in a spiritual discipline, for children and adults alike. For children, giving up something for that long can seem impossible. And, once the Lenten discipline is broken, children often feel like they have failed and give up the exercise entirely. Offer a fresh start and variety with a weekly Lenten challenge.Invite all the children to write down a Lenten practice that would be appropriate for the entire group. Make sure that the practices are varied each week. Collect the papers and put them in a basket. Draw four papers, write the Lenten practices in the front of the room, and challenge each child to commit to one of the listed practices for the week. Remind the children of their chosen Lenten challenge throughout the week if possible, or send a note home to families explaining the challenge activity. Conclude the challenge week by asking the children to refl ect on how they did, what they learned, and what they want to do differently the following week. Continue this practice for each week, emphasizing the importance and role of Lenten practices. Lent can be a time of spiritual growth and awareness if we are intentional in our Lenten journey. Take the time to bring Lent to life for both yourself and the children. As you do, keep an eye toward Easter. Implement Lenten practices that can also be modifi ed for Easter, thus bringing your group through the complete journey to new life in Christ.n12'