Is Lent Biblical? A Parent-Friendly Answer (No Church Calendar Required)

So… What Is Lent? (A Parent’s Guide to Explaining It Without the Awkwardness)

If your kid has ever asked, “Why does that person have dirt on their forehead?” or “Why is Grandma not eating chocolate?”—congrats, you’ve entered Lent season.

Lent is one of those Christian traditions that can feel mysterious, intense, or oddly vegetable-related if no one explains it well. The good news? It doesn’t have to be weird, scary, or mandatory to be meaningful. Let’s break it down in kid-friendly (and parent-survival-friendly) terms.

First things first: what is Lent?

Lent started in the early church as a season of preparation. New believers would spend this time fasting and learning before being baptized on Easter. Think of it like spiritual training camp, but with less yelling and more prayer.

Today, Lent is a shared season on the Christian calendar when many Christians slow down, reflect, and prepare their hearts for Easter. It’s about remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and looking ahead to the celebration of His resurrection. The big idea isn’t “be miserable for Jesus.” It’s practicing self-discipline so we can focus more clearly on Christ.

Important note for kids (and adults):

Lent is a tradition, not a rule. Lent isn’t commanded in the Bible. No one is earning extra holiness points, and God is not disappointed if you don’t participate. That said, the practices connected to Lent, like fasting, prayer, generosity, and repentance, these are deeply rooted in Scripture.

So a good way to frame it for kids is: “This is something some Christians choose to do to help them pay attention to God in a new way.”

"Why do people give things up?"

This is usually the part kids understand best. Many Christians fast during Lent, often from food or from a habit. Historically it was food; today it might be things like TV, video games, soda, or social media. The point isn’t punishment. It’s space.

Giving something up helps create room to pray, reflect, or remember Jesus during everyday moments. When you miss the thing, you remember why you’re doing it.

You can tell kids: “We’re not giving something up because it’s bad. We’re choosing to pause it so we can focus on something better.” Also important: Lent isn’t only about giving things up. It can include adding things too, like reading Scripture together, praying as a family, or being extra intentional about generosity.

"Okay, but why is it called “Lent”?"

Great question, tiny theologian. The word “Lent” comes from an Old English word, lencten, which means “springtime” or “the lengthening of days.”

That’s actually kind of beautiful. Lent is meant to be about renewal, like the world waking up after winter. So yes, it’s connected to repentance, but also to hope, growth, and new life.

When does Lent happen? In most Western Christian traditions, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. The date changes every year because Easter changes every year (which is a whole other conversation). But Ash Wednesday always lands 40 days, excluding Sundays,efore Easter.

Ash Wednesday is sometimes called the “Day of Ashes.” Some Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead. This symbolizes human mortality (“you are dust”) and reminds us of our need for God. It can look intense, but it’s meant to be humble, not spooky.

Why 40 days? Why not 37… or 52? The number 40 shows up a lot in the Bible during times of preparation and testing. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai. Forty isn’t about perfection; it’s about formation. And no, Sundays don’t count in the 40 days. Sundays are always considered celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection,m mini Easters, so they’re not treated as days of fasting or penitence. Even in Lent, joy still wins once a week.

So how do you explain Lent to kids in one sentence?

Try this: “Lent is a season some Christians choose to use to slow down, practice self-control, and focus on Jesus as we get ready for Easter.” Or, if your kid is younger: “It’s like a countdown to Easter where we practice paying attention to God.” And if you’re wondering whether your family should do Lent… You don’t have to. Really. But if you’re interested, Lent can be a meaningful, age-appropriate way to talk with your kids about Jesus, sacrifice, self-discipline, and grace, without pressure or guilt. Start small. Stay flexible. Keep it grace-filled. And remember: Easter joy is always the destination.

So… How Do You Actually Practice Lent as a Family

(Without Losing Your Mind)?

If Lent sounds meaningful but also a little intimidating, take a deep breath. This is not a 40-day spiritual boot camp. Think experiments, not expectations.

Here are a few simple, doable ways families can try Lent—no church calendar memorization required.

First: keep it small. Like, embarrassingly small.

If your family has never practiced Lent before, this is not the year to give up all sugar, screens, joy, and happiness. Start with one thing. One practice. One conversation.

A good rule of thumb for kids: if it makes everyone grumpy by Day 3, you aimed too high.

Second: choose a fast that actually fits your family.

For younger kids, fasting from food usually isn’t helpful (or peaceful). Instead, think in terms of habits or distractions.

Some family-friendly ideas:– No screens during dinner– One TV-free night a week– Taking a break from video games on weekdays– Putting phones away during car rides

You can explain it simply: “We’re giving this up for a little while to help us pay attention to God.”

And yes—Sundays are still Sundays. Ice cream survives.

Third: replace what you give up with something on purpose.

This part matters. If you just remove something without replacing it, Lent turns into a long, sad countdown to Easter candy.

Instead, pair the fast with something life-giving:– Pray together before school (even if it’s one sentence)– Read a short Gospel story at dinner once a week– Ask one simple question at bedtime: “Where did you notice God today?”– Light a candle and say the Lord’s Prayer together

It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy. Faithfulness beats creativity every time.

Fourth: talk about the “why”… a lot.

Kids are way more likely to participate if they understand the reason behind it.

Try language like:– “Lent helps us practice self-control.”– “Lent reminds us that Jesus gave up a lot for us.”– “This is helping us get ready for Easter.”

And if they ask, “Do we have to do this?”You can honestly say, “Nope. We’re choosing to.” That choice is the lesson.

Fifth: build generosity into the season.

Lent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s also about giving things away.

Easy family ideas:– Put spare change in a jar for someone in need– Let kids help choose a mission or ministry to support– Serve together once during the season– Write encouragement notes or pray for others at dinner

This helps kids see that faith isn’t just personal—it’s outward-focused.

Finally: give yourselves grace. Lots of it.

You will forget.You will skip days.Someone will absolutely sneak the thing they “gave up.”

That’s okay.

Lent is about pointing hearts toward Jesus, not perfect follow-through. If your family talks more about Jesus, Easter, and why His resurrection matters—then Lent did its job.