Lenten
Resources (2018)
Lent
is a season when many people make a special focus on enhancing their
ever-growing and loving relationship with God.
You may do this through prayer, worship, reading the Bible, helping
others, or something else. Anything that connects you to God is a great
practice. Even walking the dog, seeing the beauty of God’s creation, or hearing
chirping birds can be a way to commune with God.
“Lent in a
bag”
is a resource to help you make new connections with God.
• Choose one night of the week and invite
those around your table to pick one of the symbols as a starting point for
conversation for the whole group, including children.
•
For your own devotion, daily or weekly, choose one of the symbols for
reflection as you make your way through the season of Lent.
Also
included are the daily readings throughout the season of Lent. You are invited to “pray the scriptures”,
using this format:
1) Read the scripture (out
loud is preferable)
2) What word or phrase caught you attention
3) Read it again (try another
translation – you can find multiple translations at: https://www.biblegateway.com/ )
4) Was there a different
word/phrase or the same one?
5) What might God be saying
to you and your life in that phrase?
6) Pray to God about what you
heard.
Finally, there are additional online
resources that are listed at the end of this booklet for you to use.
Lent in a
Bag
Sand
Between
his baptism and the beginning of his adult ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness
for 40 days ‘to be tested’. The desert is a dangerous place and Jesus was
hungry, cold, and tired. He was also tempted and tormented, but he didn’t give
up. When things get tough, how do we remember God is there for us? What
constitutes wilderness in your life? What have you learned there? What might
you learn there?
Read
the story of Jesus wandering in the desert, then open the sand and touch it.
(Matthew 4, Mark 1, or Luke 4.)
Rock
While
in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil to transform stone into
bread. He knew he was not called to do this by God. He didn’t change the rock
into food. Later, Jesus became known for doing amazing things. He fed the hungry,
offered encouragement, and healed people. When you are angry or sad, it may
feel like your heart has become a rock. How does that feel? How can you help
someone who has a “rock” in their heart? How does it feel to help others? Think
about a time where you helped someone.
Read
the story of Zacchaeus. (Luke 19) Jesus transforms Zacchaeus. Jesus transforms
us and helps us make better choices. Is there a place in your life where you
could make better choices, with Jesus’ help?
Human figure
Because Jesus was fully human, he
gets us, understands us from inside our skin, and knows from experience that
we’re each capable of great things, Godly things. No matter what we do, he
keeps on inviting us to join us in his work which has become our own. Jesus
knows that we can do good things on earth, just like he did. In Lent, we are
counting down 40 days until Easter. What can you do to be more like Jesus at
home? At school? Everywhere?
Read
the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. (John 13) How can we live like
Jesus?
Candle
Winter
can be cold and dark. Spring is a time where we think of sunshine and flowers
blooming. Jesus is called the Light of the World. Jesus told his disciples to
be a light in the world too and make a difference. So where do you shine? What
do you think you are good at? What is your talent? How can you encourage
someone to see the good in themselves?
Read
Matthew 5:14-16 and sing the song This Little Light of Mine. How do you
let your light shine?
Shell
Historically,
the season of Lent was when new Christians were prepared for baptism. Jesus
began his ministry after his baptism. As someone who has been (or will be
baptized) what is your ministry? How are you living out the promises made in
the Baptismal Covenant? Read through the Baptismal Covenant on page 304-305 of
the Book of Common Prayer.
Read
the story of Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3, Mark 1, or Luke 3) and look at photos
of baptisms of family members.
Seeds
Watching the growth of flower seeds reminds us
of the miracle of hope and transformation that is coming in the promise of
Easter. The seeds change; they decay as they transform into a new life – a new
life that we can’t really imagine when we plant it. Where is there hope in your
life? Where is there mystery? What transformation do you hope for during the
season of Lent?
Read
the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32 or Luke 13:18-19) and the
Parable of the Leavened Bread (Matthew 13:33 or Luke 13:20-21) and talk about
change. What things can you think of that change?
Source:
Modified
from the idea of Shawn Schreiner and Vicki Garvey.
Devotional
resources
Way to Lead: Committing to
live in relationship with God
This
resource offers a short service that you can use at home as well as coloring
pages to draw you closer in relationship and understanding with God. A few hard copies are available to pick up.
40acts: every day during lent
(except Sundays), wake up to a new generosity challenge and short Bible-based
blog straight to you inbox. Each act is
designed to sharpen your awareness and give you practical ways to stretch your
faith as well as your generosity.
“Keep Watch With Me: is an online discussion community for a
collaborative daily Lenten reader written by peacemakers for peacemakers. Our
contributors are an incredible line-up of folks from around the world: black,
white, LGBTQ, Latinx, Palestinian, incarcerated, Native American, Australian,
Americans, Irish, South African, clergy, laity, activists, authors, organizers,
and more.
Each day of Lent, they’ll share the daily spiritual practice and
a question or two for reflection and dialogue.
You may sign up to receive it in your email and/or go to their Facebook
page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeepingWatchTogether/
Daily readings for Lent
Feb. 14-17
Wednesday
John 10:1-18 The Good Shepherd
Thursday
Luke 15:1-7 Lost Sheep Parable
Friday
John 10:22-30 Conflict over Jesus’s Claims
Saturday
John 10:31-42 Jews Try to Stone Jesus
Feb.18-24
Sunday
John 11:1-44 Following Jesus from Death to Life
Monday
John 11:45-57 Concern About Jesus’ Actions
Tuesday
John 12:1-11 Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Wednesday
John 12:12-29 Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Thursday
John 12:20-36 Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Friday
John 12:37-50 Walk in the Light
Saturday
Isaiah 6:1-10 Isaiah’s Prophecy About the People
Feb.25-March 3
Sunday
John 13:1-17 Following the Servant
Monday
John 13:21-30 Jesus’ Betrayal Foretold
Tuesday
John 13:31-38 Jesus Will Be Glorified
Wednesday
John 14:1-7 “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”
Thursday
John 15:1-7 “I Am the True Vine”
Friday
John 17:1-5 “The Hour Has Come”
Saturday
John 18:1-11 Jesus Arrested
March 4-10
Sunday
John 18:12-27 Challenges of Following: Peter’s Denial
Monday
Psalm 27:1-14 My Enemies Will Stumble and Fall
Tuesday
Isaiah 45:14-19 God Does Not Speak in Secret
Wednesday
John 14:9b-12 Jesus Going to the Father
Thursday
John 14:13-17 Jesus Will Send the Spirit of Truth
Friday
John 14:18-21 Jesus Will not Leave the Disciples Orphans
Saturday
John 14:23b-29 My Peace I Will Leave with You
March 11-17
Sunday
John 18:28-40 A Kingdom Not of This World
Monday
John 15:8-11 You Will Bear Much Fruit
Tuesday
John 15:12-17 I Call You Friend
Wednesday
John 15:18-21 The World Hates the Disciples
Thursday
John 15:22-27 Sins of the People
Friday
John 16-1-4a Stay Strong
Saturday
John 16:4b-7 Jesus Will Send the Advocate
March 18-24
Sunday
John 19:1-16a The Kingdom’s Power from Above
Monday
John 16:8-12 Truth Will Come Forward
Tuesday
John 16:13-16 The Spirit Is Coming
Wednesday
John 16:17-22 The Disciples Do Not Understand
Thursday
John 16:23-28 Ask and You Shall Receive
Friday John
16:29-33 Jesus Has Conquered the World
Saturday
John 17:6-9 Jesus Prays for His Disciples
March 25-April 1
Sunday
John 19:16b-22 [12:12-27] A Different Kind of King
Monday
John 17:10-13 Father Protect Them
Tuesday
John 17:14-19 They Do Not Belong to the World
Wednesday
Psalm 22:1-5 Why Have You Forsaken Me?
Thursday
John 19:23-30 God’s Kingdom Revealed on the Cross
Friday
John 19:31-42 Preparing the King for Burial
Saturday
Psalm 22:6-11 Hated by the People
Sunday
John 20:1-18 Good News in the Garden
