There is a heart that beats at the center of the Lenten Season.

It is the heartbeat of the Father for His Creation. This Lenten Reading is meant to tell the story of how a loving God sent His only, beloved Son, to earth to teach us how to live, and to die as a sacrifice for our sin. The heart of Lent is the love of a God who suffered and died to be near us, and the same powerful love that raised Jesus from the dead to give us victory over sin and death! We have created a reading schedule for the Lenten season, for our families and yours, which chronologically lays out the story of the ministry, and death, and resurrection of Jesus. It includes Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled through the events of Jesus Ministry and Passion; reminding us of the fact that Gods heart was beating for us from the very beginning, before we were born, before we ever had the ability to perform any good deed, or say any prayer. His love and His grace preceded our faith, and it empowers us to continue on in a godly life; following His commands and His will daily, through Jesus Christ. There will be a How-to section to follow, which will lay out the practicalities of participating in this family devotional. But there is really only one request that we make: While reading each day, please take time to reflect on the way that each story, each event, each word, reveals the heart of Father to us. Then, respond. Respond to the truth of His Character and His heart. Leave time for reflection and response--both individually and together, as a family. Lent was instituted as a means to remind us of repentance and reflection. And as we focus on those things, let us remember that repentance, at its heart, is simply a thankful response to the grace of forgiveness that was already given. This Lent, we invite you to read, digest, and receive the truth of Gods love for you and your family..and respond.with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength, to a God who gave you all of His heart, all of the mysteries of His thoughts, and all of His grace, which gives us strength to live for Him. May he Lord bless you with more and more love and grace this Lenten season! Bless you!

On the 42 days leading up to Easter, as outlined in the following chart, you will read a portion of scripture, create a representative symbol, and have discussion and reflection as a family. There are many ways to use this chart and group of symbols. The method you choose is up to you. Remember to keep the main thing the main thing. Its all about preparing our hearts for Easter through reflection and repentance, so dont make it too hard! Just enjoy! Now for the How-To part. You can do just about anything you are creative enough to think of! But here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. Read all or some of the listed scriptures as a family

Younger children may color our included coloring sheets as you read. Younger children may also want to act out some of the scriptures. 2. Create a symbol to represent each scripture reading as well as a way to display your symbols. Some Ideas: Decorate, cut, attach ribbon and use the ornaments included in this document and hang them on a large wooden cross with nails each day. Create salt dough ornaments and paint or Modge Podge symbols and hang the ornaments on a cross or ornament tree. With your children, find items in your home to represent the symbol each day and put them in a basket on display. Put a cross by the basket. At the end of the 40 days you will have a basket filled with items (ex. Sandal, stuffed fish, water pitcher, etc.) Create felt symbols and attach them to a felt cross each day. Attach a paper cross to the refrigerator and put magnets on the backs of your symbols to add them each day. Draw a paper cross and draw or tape the symbols on each day. Any idea you come up with! 3. Discuss, Reflect, Pray

DIY Air Dry clay Recipe

2 cups baking soda 1 cup cornstarch 1 cups water Sauce pan Bowl Spoon Plastic wrap

Instructions
1. Mix all of the ingredients listed above in a sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into stiff dough. 2. Cool for a few minutes (until cool enough to work with your hands). 3. Knead until it becomes smooth. Keep it wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent drying. 4. Roll it out and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, or shape them by hand. (Dont forget to make a hole with a straw or toothpick to thread the ribbon through later!) 5. Place on wax paper and allow to dry for 1-2 days (or bake at 175 degrees, checking it often). 6. Once the ornaments are dry, you can paint them with inexpensive acrylic craft paint 7. It is advisable to spray the dried and finished ornaments with a clear gloss craft spray to seal them. 8. Store in a cool dry place to prevent damage over the years from moisture and excessive exposure to heat.

DIY Salt Dough Recipe

4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup salt 1 cups warm water

Sauce pan Bowl Spoon

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F 2. Mix flour and salt and add warm water slowly, stirring with a large spoon until well mixed. You will need to finish this with your hands. 3. Knead dough until smooth and workable 4. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 in thickness, onto a floured surface and use cookie cutter to cut shapes. (Dont forget to use a straw or toothpick to make a hole to thread your ribbon through once its dry! ) 5. Bake at 325 until hardened, which should take about an hour. 6. Decorate with paint and seal with varnish or clear gloss to preserve. 7. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent damage from moisture or excessive heat.

Day 1. Wednesday March 5th 2. Thursday

Topic Preparing our hearts for the Lenten Season John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus: Repentance and Baptism John the Baptist prophesies about Jesus Baptizing in the Spirit Jesus Baptized by John Anointed by the Holy Spirit Temptation: Forty Days in the Desert/ Forty Years in the Desert John announced Jesus as Lamb of God/ Messiah First disciples: Fishers of Men First Miracle: Water into Wine at Cana Woman at the well: Jesus withdraws from Judea and meets Samaritan woman at Jacobs well. Jesus ministers in Galilee: The kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the good news!

Scripture Reading(s) Joel 2:12-13

Symbol Heart with Ashen cross Mouth

Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3 John 1:33, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7-8 Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23 Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17 Numbers 14:2-4, 10-112, 17-19, 33-34 Luke 4:1-13 John 1:29 John 1:35-44; Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:1822; Luke 5:1-11 John 2:1-23; Isaiah 35 John 4: 1-26 (can also include other Samaritans through verse 42)

3. Friday

Sandals

4. Saturday 5. Monday March 10th 6. Tuesday

Pitcher of Water Dove Manna and bird/ Stone

7. Wednesday 8. Thursday

Lamb Fishing net

9. Friday 10. Saturday

Wine and glass Bucket and well

11. Monday March 17th

Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15; John 4:43-46a

Sunrise

12. Tuesday

Preach good news/Rejected in Nazareth: This scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!

Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:1421

Scroll

13. Wednesday

Jesus preached with authority/delivered people from demons Jesus Heals Many/Healings/ Miracles

Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37 Peters mother in law, Man with Leprosy, Paralytics/Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35 Mark 2:13-17; Matthew 9: 9-13; Luke 5: 27-32 Mark 2:23-28; Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5; Mark3:1-6 Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11 Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 12:15-21 Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6: 12-16 Matthew 5

Power and Authority Band Aid

14. Thursday

15. Friday 16. Saturday

Jesus Eats with sinners Lord of the Sabbath

Plate wheat

17. Monday March 24th 18. Tuesday 19.Wednesday

Jesus Way: withdrew, warned people not to tell Appoints Twelve Apostles Jesus Teaches: Beatitudes, Sermon on Mount, Parables Jesus Calms the Storm

Reed 12 Jesus Teaching

20. Thursday

Mark 4: 35-41

Storm clouds, lightning & rain

21. Friday 22. Saturday 23. Monday March 31st

Jesus Feeds the Five thousand/ Elisha Jesus Walks on Water Jesus is the Bread of Life

Mark 6: 30-44/ 2 Kings 4:38-44 Mark 6:45-56; Matthew 14:22-36; John 6:16-24 John 6:25-59

Loaves and fishes Feet on water Bread

24. Tuesday

25.Wednesday

Peter says Jesus is the Christ/ Church given the keys of kingdom Jesus Predicts His Death (three times)

Mark 8:27-30; Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 9:18-21 1. Mark 8:31-9:1; Matthew 16:2128; Luke 9: 2227 2. Mark 10:32-45; Matthew20:1728; Luke 18:3134 3. John 12:20-50 Mark 9:2-13; Matthew 17: 1-13; Luke 9:28-36/ Luke 10:21-24 Luke 11:1-11

Key

Jerusalem

26. Thursday

Transfiguration/ Jesus Praises Father for eyes that see what prophets longed for Jesus Teaches us how to pray The Cost of being a disciple

mountains

27. Friday 28. Saturday

Praying hands Cross and narrow path

Luke14:25-35

29. Monday April 7th 30. Tuesday 31. Wednesday 32. Thursday 33. Friday 34. Saturday

Jesus goes to the feast of Tabernacles Jesus blesses the little children The Death of Lazarus Zacchaeus the Tax Collector The greatest commandment Would first present Himself as King 173,880 days from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem

John 7:1-52 Mark 10:13-16; Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17 John 11:1-57 Luke 19:1-10 Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 10:25-28 Daniel 9:25; Matthew 21:4-11

Feast table Children Burial clothes tree Love crown

35. Palm Sunday

Triumphant Entry : Would enter Jerusalem as a king on a donkey Cleansing of Temple Anointing at Bethany/ Anointing of David. /anointed one prophecy 1.Would be rejected by the Jews 2. Betrayed by a friend 3.Sold for 30 pieces of silver 1.Preparations for Passover 2.Washes Disciples feet 3.Predicts betrayal 4.Lord's supper/ New covenant/ old Covenant 5.Predicts Peter's denial 6.Comforts Disciples 7.Jesus prays for Himself 1. Gethsemane 2.Arrested/Betrayed by a friend 3.Trial before Sanhedrin/ silent before his accusers 4.Peter's denial/rooster crows 5. Judas hangs himself/ Jesus an Innocent Victim 6. Pilate and Herod/Jesus found to be innocent 7. Jews release Barabas 8. Jesus Beaten 9.Soldier Mock Jesus & spit on him 10.Led away to be crucified/ Simon carries Jesus cross

Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9 Psalms 69:6-25/ Matthew 21:12-22 Daniel 9:15-24; 1 Samuel 16: 1-13/ 1. Psalm 118:22; I Peter 2:7 2. Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18 3. Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26: 1-16 1. Mark 14:12-17 2. John 13:1-20 3. John 13:21-30 4. Luke 22:15-20; Exodus 20:1-21; Jeremiah 31: 31-33 5. Luke 22:31-38 6. John 14:1-15:17 7. John 17:1-25
1. Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42 2. Mark 14:43-52; Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:4753; John 18:1-11 3.Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14 4. John 18:12-27 5.Matthew 27:1-10; Isaiah 53:1-12 6. Luke 23:1-12; Isaiah 53:1-12 7. Luke 23:13-25 8. Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26 9. Psalm, 22:7-8; Isaiah 50:6 Mark 15:16-20a; Matthew 27:27-31 10. Luke 23:26-32

Palms

36. Monday April 14th 37. Tuesday

Table Horn of oil & Alabaster box 30 pieces of silver

38. Wednesday

39. Thursday

Ten commandments, wine and bread

40. Friday

Rooster & Judicial scales

41. Saturday

1. Piercing his hands and feet 2. Being crucified with thieves 3. Praying for his persecutors 4. Piercing His side 5. Giving gall and vinegar to drink 6. No broken bones 7. Buried in a rich mans tomb 8. Casting lots for his garments

1. Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:31 2. Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38 3. Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34 4. Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34 5. Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36 6. Psalm 34:20; John 19:32-36 7. Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:5760 8. Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24

Cross

42. Sunday Easter April 20th

Resurrection: Would rise from the dead

Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31

Empty tomb

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Day 42

Coloring Page Day 1

Heart with Ashen Cross

Coloring Page Day 2

Mouth

Coloring Page Day 3

Sandals

Coloring Page Day 4

Pitcher of Water

Coloring Page Day 5

Dove

Coloring Page Day 6

Manna & Bird with Stone

Coloring Page Day 7

Lamb

Coloring Page Day 8

Fishing Net

Coloring Page Day 9

Wine and Glass

Coloring Page Day 10

Bucket and Well

Coloring Page Day 11

Sunrise

Coloring Page Day 12

Scroll

Coloring Page Day 13

Power and Authority

Coloring Page Day 14

Band Aid

Coloring Page Day 15

Plate

Coloring Page Day 16

Wheat

Coloring Page Day 17

Reed

Coloring Page Day 18

Twelve

Coloring Page Day 19

Jesus Teaching

Coloring Page Day 20

Storm Clouds
with Lightning and Rain

Coloring Page Day 21

Loaves and Fishes

Coloring Page Day 22

Feet on Water

Coloring Page Day 23

Bread

Coloring Page Day 24

Key

Coloring Page Day 25

Jerusalem

Coloring Page Day 26

Mountains

Coloring Page Day 27

Praying Hands

Coloring Page Day 28

Cross & Narrow Path

Coloring Page Day 29

Feast Table

Coloring Page Day 30

Children

Coloring Page Day 31

Burial Clothes

Coloring Page Day 32

Tree

Coloring Page Day 33

Love

Coloring Page Day 34

Crown

Coloring Page Day 35

Palms

Coloring Page Day 36

Table

Coloring Page Day 37

Horn of Oil & Alabaster

Coloring Page Day 38

30 pieces of silver

Coloring Page Day 39

Ten Commandments, Wine & Bread

Coloring Page Day 40

Rooster & Judicial Scales

Coloring Page Day 41

Cross

Coloring Page Day 42

Empty Tomb