Fast from judgment, Feast on compassion 

Fast from greed, Feast on sharing 

Fast from scarcity, Feast on abundance 

Fast from fear, Feast on peace 

Fast from lies, Feast on truth 

Fast from gossip, Feast on praise 

Fast from anxiety, Feast on patience 

Fast from evil, Feast on kindness 

Fast from apathy, Feast on engagement 

Fast from discontent, Feast on gratitude 

Fast from noise, Feast on silence 

Fast from discouragement, Feast on hope 

Fast from hatred, Feast on love 

What will be your fast? What will be your feast?
(Unknown Author, “Ash Wednesday.”)

Psalm 27:1, 4-9

  • This is an opportunity to talk with the children about how the Psalms have inspired many hymns, secular songs, and art.  Spend some time with your hymnal and see how many of your congregation’s “favorite” hymns are based on a psalm.  You could talk to the children about that list.
  • One could have the children help create a prayer based on this psalm. Do a simple word game with the children to create a prayer.  Roll out some paper on the floor.  Ask the children to draw a picture or write a word that they think of when they hear the following phrases:  “One thing I ask of God,”; “The Lord is my light,” and “Teach me your way.”  Create your own words or phrases from Psalm 27.  Post the banner somewhere in the sanctuary or church building.  If you or the preaching minister is a quick thinker, this prayer of words and pictures from the children could be part of the morning’s pastoral prayer.
  • Another option would be to talk with the children about your pastoral prayer time.  Do you ask the congregation to voice concerns or joys?  Do you have a list of names in the bulletin that are a “prayer list”?  Your pastoral prayer probably follows the form of this psalm somewhat (i.e., containing both joys & concerns).  This week, ask the children to list their prayer concerns and have them repeat v 1 after each child’s prayer request.  
  • If you have not introduced the children to the Psalms, this might be the week to do so.  This is a “mixed-type” psalm that represents many human emotions. During the children’s prayers, they may also express many emotions.  Is there anything you can’t say to God in prayer?

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

  • Talk with the children about what a covenant is or what the word “covenant” means.  This story is just one example of God’s many covenants with an individual, nation, or even all creation.  (Think about the Noah story.)  Be ready to give a simple definition for the word covenant, and since it is Lent, invite the children to make a covenant with you and each other to serve at your church in whatever you think is appropriate for them to covenant to do.
  • What does it mean when another covenant is made?  Is the last covenant forgotten, or does it become non-binding?  In children’s speak, you are asking if one promise cancels out another.  In the 1st Testament, this is not how it works. God makes and keeps countless covenants at the same time.

Philippians 3:17-4:1

  • Talk with the children about what it means to be an “example” for someone.  Can the children name someone they think is a good example of living like Jesus did?  You will want to be ready to provide an example or two of such “persons” to get them started. Since it is the Lenten season, one might ask the elders or other adults in your congregation to be an example for the children on the sacred steps by talking with them or allowing them to shadow them if they have specific responsibilities in the congregation.  
  • If you are going to take the “goal” path in this text, be careful.  One could talk to the children about becoming more like Jesus.  How does a person do that?  I would stay away from questions about eternity and heaven.  Please keep it simple with the children but not oversimplified, and have those conversations with your adult peers.

Luke 13:31-35

  • This is an opportunity to introduce the word “lament” to the children.  There will be times when they will lament for someone, themselves, or something.  Sometimes, a lament may be just sharing our feelings, and your congregation is a place where the children can do that.  A lament may help us keep from doing what we know is wrong.  When would the children have heard the word “lament” in church?  How does your congregation lament, and what have you done or left undone based on your lament?
  • Has your congregation “lamented” for someone or something in your community and then decided to do something?  Maybe you lamented the poverty or hunger in your community and worked to help ease that in your community.  Perhaps some have felt sorrow for your congregation’s shut-ins and decided to help by visiting them.
  • For an older group, one might consider talking with the children about how they live “in the name of the Lord.”