The Lenten and Easter season is coming once again. Last year during this time, I wrote and told you about my fast food addiction. That year for Lent I gave up fast food for 40 days. It was great. My waist line shrank, and my appreciation for God’s provision increased. But like anything in life, Lent just wasn’t that great because I was mostly doing it alone. In our tradition here at Peru First Baptist, we haven’t always placed a large emphasis on Lent.
But this year is going to be different! Don’t worry, though, your fast food is safe. Instead of asking you (the congregation) to fast for Lent, we’ll be encouraging you to do some different things. We’ll be worshipping differently, studying differently, and doing special devotions. We want to emphasize this time in the life of our congregation as a time to prepare for Easter. We have to remind ourselves again of how desperately we need Christ in order to truly understand and celebrate the hope that Easter brings.
So here’s the plan: For our classes in the Lenten season, we’ll be doing special Lenten studies. These studies will have three parts –
1.) Personal Study – It will be important during Lent that you find time to study Scripture alone or with a friend/family. Lent is an intensely personal time for self-reflection, prayer, and listening to God. Because of this, Kelly has developed a great calendar of daily readings for Lent. These readings will shape the back-bone of the Lenten studies. Reading through these in your personal time will enrich your discussions in class, as well as the depth of meaning you’ll experience in worship.
2.) Group Discussion – The Lenten study guide will be designed to generate group discussion flowing out of the Personal Study. This discussion is fruitful as it helps us see Scripture in ways we might have missed otherwise. The Bible says that Christians sharpen each other like “iron sharpens iron.” That’s what discussion is about. If you want to get everything you can out of this time and study, please make sure to connect with a class or study group.
3.) Living Lent – Now here’s the fun part! After a week of study, and then discussion, you’ll be given specific, practical, and enjoyable activities to do together with your family or friends. These activities will be designed to: help reinforce the theme of the week, drive interaction between generations, and help you invite non-Christian friends in to discussions of faith. These activities will make Lent memorable, meaningful, and deeply enriching for friends and family alike.
1.) Personal Study – It will be important during Lent that you find time to study Scripture alone or with a friend/family. Lent is an intensely personal time for self-reflection, prayer, and listening to God. Because of this, Kelly has developed a great calendar of daily readings for Lent. These readings will shape the back-bone of the Lenten studies. Reading through these in your personal time will enrich your discussions in class, as well as the depth of meaning you’ll experience in worship.
2.) Group Discussion – The Lenten study guide will be designed to generate group discussion flowing out of the Personal Study. This discussion is fruitful as it helps us see Scripture in ways we might have missed otherwise. The Bible says that Christians sharpen each other like “iron sharpens iron.” That’s what discussion is about. If you want to get everything you can out of this time and study, please make sure to connect with a class or study group.
3.) Living Lent – Now here’s the fun part! After a week of study, and then discussion, you’ll be given specific, practical, and enjoyable activities to do together with your family or friends. These activities will be designed to: help reinforce the theme of the week, drive interaction between generations, and help you invite non-Christian friends in to discussions of faith. These activities will make Lent memorable, meaningful, and deeply enriching for friends and family alike.
I don’t know if you can tell by how I’m writing this, but I’m REALLY excited about this opportunity for our church to study, serve, and experience Lent together. I’m smiling in a big, goofy, smile even as I write. And here’s why – I believe that when we make space in our lives to encounter God, He shows up!
So this Lenten season, I encourage you (even challenge you!) to participate fully in a Lenten study. Whether this means joining a class, getting together once a week with a few friends in the church, or doing the study with your family – please plan on studying with us.
I am convinced you won’t regret it!
In Christ,
Pastor Aaron
So this Lenten season, I encourage you (even challenge you!) to participate fully in a Lenten study. Whether this means joining a class, getting together once a week with a few friends in the church, or doing the study with your family – please plan on studying with us.
I am convinced you won’t regret it!
In Christ,
Pastor Aaron
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