Catechists of all age groups are always looking for creative lenten activities. With Lent only 2 days away (Ash Wednesday is February 25!), I’m pleased to offer the first of FORTY lenten activities that I hope will be of use to you. Be sure to check back here each day to find another lenten activity that you can adapt for your own setting. And, if you have a lenten activity of your own that you would like to share, send it to me at joe@catechistsjourney.com and I’ll include it as one of the 40 ideas! So, without further adieu, here’s lenten activity #1:
Avoiding Temptations
- Arrange the young people in pairs and invite them to brainstorm a list of temptations that young people their age can try to avoid during Lent
- examples: gossiping, calling people names, being lazy, and so on.
- Then, have them identify strategies for resisting temptation.
- examples: praying, doing another activity to avoid thinking about the temptation, talking to a parent, teacher, or older friend/relative, and so on.
- Have each pair report their ideas to the whole group.
- Encourage the young people to make an effort to resist these temptations during Lent.
- Invite volunteers to read aloud Mark 1: 12-15 (Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness).
- Emphasize that during Lent, we can go to Jesus to ask for help in resisting temptations because he understands and can help us to be strong.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Nancy Polacek 02.24.09 at 5:13 pm
Joe, thank you for the video clip answering questions about Lent. I’ll share this site with catechists so that they can have a concise and age-appropriate way to explain some of our Lenten rituals and traditions to children.
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Joe Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Great, Nancy. I’m glad you found the video helpful. I hope you and all those associated with your RE program have a blessed Lenten season.
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Sharon 02.25.09 at 7:28 am
The video was great. I have recommended it to my Catechists and used it with our 7-9 grades. You are a great resource to us all. Thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge.
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Joe Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Sharon, thanks for the great feedback. It’s my pleasure and a privilege to be a resource to the catechetical community in this way. Have a blessed Lent.
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Melissa 02.25.09 at 11:24 am
I was directed here by Nancy Polacek at St John of the Cross. What a great resource. I teach YC and am always looking for ways to engage the kids.
Thanks!
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Joe Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Hi Melissa! Any friend of Nancy Polacek is a friend of mine! What a great lady she is. I’m glad you found my site and I hope you find resources that can help you in your youth ministry. Have a blessed Lent.
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Vin 02.25.09 at 7:15 pm
This site was sent to me by our Director of Religious Education, form St. Thomas Becket. My wife and I really enjoyed listening to this video and we will be using in our next class for the 7th graders. Thank you so much!
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Joe Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Hi Vin! Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad that I can be a resource for you and your wife and your 7th graders. I look forward to hearing more from you about your experiences as catechists!
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