These cards are used in the same way as a Jesse Tree during Advent, but reflecting on the parallels in scriptures about Jesus for Lent. The verses are listed below. If you would like to have cards with colorful images to show your children or hang up in your home, they are available in my Etsy Shop's Lent Journey for Families digital file.
I’ve seen a few blog posts about having a Jesus Tree for Lent that is similar to the Jesse Tree of Advent. It uses a tree with bare branches, made out of twigs, felt, paper, or a wall decal like we have for Our Forever Tree. I decided to make some paper ornaments I (and others like you) could print out and cut to hang on our Jesus Tree. Each image has the Bible verses underneath, and you can laminate them to use year after year. I printed these and hung them on the tree all at once, so the kids can see the images longer. I will take one down each day when it’s time to read the scripture. Hang up one each day (except Sundays) from Ash Wednesday until Easter.
YOU CAN FIND THIS FILE along with a large pack of Lent Activities for the family in my shop:
1. Even Now Joel 2:12-13
2. Original Sin Genesis 3:1-20
3. Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-12
4. Noah's Ark Genesis 6:5-13, 9:8-11
5. Abraham and Isaac Genesis 22:1-18
6. Jesus Freed Us of Slavery john 8:31-40
7. Moses & the 10 Commandments Exodus 20:1-21
8. Covenant with Abraham and Moses Jeremiah 31:31-33
9. A New Covenant Luke 22:15-20
10. 2 Great Commandments Matthew 22:34-40
11. 40 Years in the Desert Numbers 14:2-4, 10-12, 17-19, 33-34
12. 40 Days in the Desert Luke 4:1-13
13. The Day of the Lord Joel 2:10-16
14. Jonah and the Whale Jonah 1:1, 4:11
15. Whom shall I send? Isaiah 6:8-10
16. Trust and Rescue Psalm 22
17. Prophetic Role of Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:4-8, 3:12-15
18. Story of Elijah 2 Kings 2:9-12
19. Story of Elisha 2 Kings 4:38-44
20. Loaves and Fishes Mark:6:34-44
21. The Anointed One Daniel 9:15-24
22. Anointing of David 1 Samuel 16:1-13
23. Anointing at Bethany Matthew 26:6-13
24. John the Baptist Luke 1:13-17, 80
25. Prophecy of New Order Micah 4:1-7
26. Fulfillment of all Prophecies Luke 24:44-48
27. Transfiguration Luke 9:28-36
28. Entrance into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-9
29. Enduring Trials Psalms 69:6-25
30. Destroys Market in the Temple John 2:13-25
31. Judas' Betrayal Matthew 26:14-25
32. The Innocent Victim Isaiah 53:1-12
33. The Last Supper Luke 22:14-20
34. Agony in the Garden Matthew 26:36-46
35. Denial of Jesus Mark 14:29-31, 66-72
36. Crown of Thorns Matthew 27:27-31
37. Scourging at the Pillar Mark 15:1-20, Isaiah 53:5
38. The Two Thieves Luke 23:32-43
39. On the Cross Matthew 27:32-44
40. Death of Jesus Matthew 27:45-54
Free Jesus Tree Ornaments – black and white to color, good for older kids.
Alternate uses include flashcards or a Lenten Path as seen below.
Dining room table draped with white cloth. Cut Jesus Tree ornaments and staggered in a path around the table. Added colored popsicle sticks for crosses, one red cross near the images that are about The Passion of Jesus. Then covered it with clear vinyl (found at fabric store). This would also make a great idea for a table rosary, using pictures of the mysteries in the shape of a rosary!
I had this idea to add cutouts of the kids that I would move to each spot each day of Lent. Ended up cutting out all four kids, which looked too cute to separate! So they mark the beginning of the Lenten Journey, with other special stops along the way.
