Activities for the Third Week of Lent for Children
- Conduct a Bible study during the third week of Lent as an activity for children. The Online Ministries website of Creighton University, a Jesuit Catholic organization, advises that certain Old and New Testament readings have a traditional designation for each day of the third week of Lent. For example, Exodus chapter 17: 3-7, Psalm chapter 95: 1-2 and John chapter 4: 5-42 are readings that you can assign for Sunday.
- Prepare special prayers for the children to say each day within the third week of Lent. This activity helps children learn the prayers that are designated to each day of this week. According to the Catholic Culture website, there's also a special prayer for the faithful to say in front of a crucifix during this time. Start the prayer yourself or have a child start it, followed by everyone joining in.
- Catholic Canon 1251 directs adults and children to refrain from eating meat of any kind on Fridays year-round. While many Catholics no longer follow this rule -- and there is a misconception that it has been abolished -- many do make the effort to observe it on every Friday during the entire Lenten season, as well as Ash Wednesday. The tradition is to substitute red meat and pork with fish.
- Fasting is not only associated with abstaining from food, but from non-essentials, as well. Guide children in abstaining from the non-essentials in their life during the third week of Lent, including television, Internet access, computers and cell phones. Abstaining from watching their favorite TV shows and texting friends on their cell phones will help children understand that these things are not as important as they may sometimes seem and that they can use the freed-up time for more valuable activities. Regarding food abstinence, don't restrict a child's diet without a physician's approval. Instead, encourage your child to abstain from treats such as candy and soft drinks.