Weeks of the Great Fast

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to teach the students about the readings of the Sundays of the Great Fast and for them to understand the theme and message of each week. Understanding the concepts behind the Church's readings will help them in their preparation and journey through Lent.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Before class, place the following items in a box (servant may make 2-3 identical sets depending on class size):

  • Fabric flower
  • Sand
  • Plastic/toy ring
  • Small bucket or mini water bottle
  • Small piece of felt wrapped across 2 popsicle sticks (to look like a mat)
  • Candle
  • Small toy crown

Pass the box/bag around to the kids and have them take turns pulling out one object at a time (so that each student has 1 object.

Ask the students to brainstorm if they have any idea what the objects mean (this should be difficult for the students). After, explain to the students that we will use each of the objects to represent one of the weeks of the Great Fast (which is also known as Great Lent). Consider asking the children why the Great Lent is called "Great". Why is no other fast considered "Great?" There are two main reasons:

  • It is the longest fast, lasting fifty-five days
  • It is greatest in its holiness as it is based on Christ's fast and leads to the celebration of His Resurrection.

Reinforce that Great Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the Resurrection Feast. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse - "But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Gospel readings of the weeks of the Great Fast:

  • Preparation week - Matthew 6:1-18
  • Treasures in Heaven - Matthew 6:19-33
  • Temptation Sunday - Matthew 4:1-13
  • The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32
  • The Samaritan Woman - John 4:10-42
  • The Paralyzed Man - John 5:1-18
  • The Man Born Blind - John 9:1-41
  • Palm Sunday - John 12:12-19

CONTENT (Key Points) - 20 Minutes

Suggestion to servants: As you explain each week, hold up the corresponding visual object to help them keep track of each week. Although the students may not fully understand the symbolism of each object, using physical items throughout the lesson will help the students relate to what is being taught and reinforce their learning.

  • Fabric flower - representing the "lilies of the field"
  • Sand - representing Jesus' time in the wilderness
  • Plastic/toy ring - representing the ring given to the Prodigal son by his father
  • Small bucket or mini water bottle - representing the well/living water
  • Small piece of felt wrapped across 2 popsicle sticks (to look like a mat) - representing the paralyzed man's bed
  • Candle - representing illumination and how the blind man was made to see
  • Small toy crown - representing receiving Christ as our King on Palm Sunday

First Sunday of Lent: Treasures in Heaven/ Do Not Worry

Theme: Focusing on the Kingdom of God and preparing for our journey

Our souls should not be concerned with earthly things like food, drinks, clothes etc. Some of the examples our Lord uses are birds or the "lilies of the field" and how God takes care of them. God will take even more care of us if we allow Him. Our primary focus should be on the Lord through prayer, reading the Bible, and attending Church. We should focus on heavenly belongings, not earthly items/possessions since he promised us a place in heaven that is greater than anything we could ever want on earth

Second Sunday of Lent: Christ's Temptation on the Mount

Theme: Victory over temptation

This reading focuses on when Our Lord was tempted by the devil 3 times when He was in the wilderness. ​​ We must always remember that the devil attacks us on both our body and soul, as he did with Jesus. We are taught to ignore the devil, for he is always trying to lead us away from God. This passage reminds us that Our Lord has already defeated the enemy for us and that we have the power to overcome any temptation through His Cross.

Third Sunday of Lent: The Prodigal Son

Theme: Repentance

In this reading, we hear the parable of the prodigal son who asked for his father's inheritance, wasted it, and then returned to his father who forgave him and rejoiced at his return. This Gospel reading reminds us of our own journey of repentance and the joy in heaven when one sinner repents. Even when we wander away from God and turn to sin, He is always waiting for us with open arms to return to Him.

Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Samaritan Woman

Theme: Salvation for All

This week's Gospel tells us about the Samaritan Woman who met Jesus when she was getting water from the well. Samaritans and Jews historically did not get along and it seemed strange that Jesus would be talking to a woman who was Samaritan and a sinner. He did not accuse her of all the sins she committed and was very gentle with her. During their conversation, He offered to her the "Living Water" after which her soul would never thirst. After meeting Jesus, the woman preached to the whole city about Him. From this story, we learn that Jesus came for everyone in the world, not only for the Jews.

Fifth Sunday of Lent: The Paralyzed Man

Theme: Joy of Healing

In this Sunday's reading, we hear the story of the man who was paralyzed for 38 years. He was waiting by the pool of Bethesda for the angel to come and stir the water (the first one in the water would then be healed). Jesus came and asked the man if he wanted to be healed and the man told Jesus that he had been waiting for years, but he never had anyone to help him into the pool, so someone would always go in before him. Right away, Jesus told the man to rise, take up his bed and walk, and the man was healed. ​​This story teaches us about patience and never to lose hope in God, no matter how bad the situation is.

Sixth Sunday of Lent: The Man Born Blind

Theme: Joy of Illumination

This reading focuses on the man who was born blind. No one paid attention to the man, and people judged him and thought that he or his parents must have sinned for him to have been born blind. Jesus came and spat on the ground to make mud, which He put over his eyes. He told the man to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. This must mean that the blind man had faith in Jesus, as this pool was far away, and the man had never seen Jesus before. The fact that the man saw again emphasizes the point that Jesus is the "light of the world." The blind man being made to see represents our soul being purified by repentance and that faith and trusting in Him illuminates our lives.

Seventh Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday (Entry into Jerusalem)

Theme: Joy of Receiving Christ as our King

With this reading, we rejoice just as the multitudes did when Jesus entered Jerusalem, just as He enters our hearts. The palm branches the people waved represent victory. Palm sunday also marks the beginning Holy Week

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

  • Consider asking the children how they think they should behave during the Great Fast.
  • What are some temptations that we may face during the Great Fast? (not praying due to laziness, breaking the fast, etc.)
  • Ask the students what they will give up during the Great Fast to bring themselves closer to God.
  • Ask the students which story from the 7 weeks is their favorite and why? Help them to reflect on key aspects.

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Each Gospel reading during the Great fast reflect the importance of developing a relationship with Christ. Each account reflects the fact that God wants us to repent and gives us the choice. We must seek Him, and place all of our trust in Him so that He can guide us through temptation or difficult situations, just like in each of the stories we hear.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Review the following song with the students to help them memorize the weeks of the Great Fast

After, collect the items from the hook activity back into a box so they are in no particular order, and have the students race to line them up in the correct order according to the weeks of Lent.

SERVANT RESOURCES

Reflections on the Sundays of Great Lent by HG Bishop Angaelos

Sunday Readings of Lent Chart

Getting Ready for the Great Lent in a Practical Way - Slides

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Have students outline their spiritual plan for the Great Fast in a journal or on a chart.