This year we are going to journey through Lent together as a church family. Lent is an opportunity for all believers to ask God to search their heart and go to Him in repentance. The mark of a mature believer is not perfection, but rather a life of repentance.
Find a weekly devotional for Lent, along with weekly memory verses in the pdf below.
Find a weekly devotional for Lent, along with weekly memory verses in the pdf below.
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Week 1: Feb. 4
Week 2: Feb. 11 Week 3: Feb. 18 Week 4: Feb. 24 |
Week 5: Mar. 4
Week 6: Mar. 11 Week 7: Mar. 18 Week 8: Mar. 24 |
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Week One | The Plain Truth
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Sometimes in life, less is more. Whether it’s the amount of seasoning in your dinner, or the number of stickers on your car, it is definitely possible to add too much to the mix.
The same can be said when we present the Word of God. Sometimes we think we need to know the answers to every possible question before we present the Word. But Paul reminds the church here that “setting forth the truth plainly” is the best way.
There is so much power in the plain truth contained in the Word of God. What do you know about God? What is plain to you? Present the truth that is clear to you. Don’t hide or distort the truth of God to make it sound nice. Set forth the truth plainly for everyone to hear.
Reflect:
What are some fears or obstacles that you face when given a chance to share the Word with someone?
What truths about God are plain to you?
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Sometimes in life, less is more. Whether it’s the amount of seasoning in your dinner, or the number of stickers on your car, it is definitely possible to add too much to the mix.
The same can be said when we present the Word of God. Sometimes we think we need to know the answers to every possible question before we present the Word. But Paul reminds the church here that “setting forth the truth plainly” is the best way.
There is so much power in the plain truth contained in the Word of God. What do you know about God? What is plain to you? Present the truth that is clear to you. Don’t hide or distort the truth of God to make it sound nice. Set forth the truth plainly for everyone to hear.
Reflect:
What are some fears or obstacles that you face when given a chance to share the Word with someone?
What truths about God are plain to you?
Week Two | The Blind
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Have you ever witnessed a debate where both sides are unable to convince the other to change their mind? Each side believes the other is blind to the truth. When we present the Gospel, sometimes it can feel like we are in one of these debates.
It is important to remember that when we present the gospel, it will be met in different ways. Some will see the truth and receive it, others will respond but it won’t take root. Still others will reject it outright.
Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to be faithful to the truth. In this world there will be people who remain blind to the truth of the Gospel. Let us continue to pray for our friends, family, and communities that remain blind to the truth. As followers of Christ, our job isn’t to convince people to believe in the Gospel. Our calling is to present the truth of the Gospel.
Pray:
Take some time now to pray for your friends and family to hear the Gospel with unveiled eyes.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Have you ever witnessed a debate where both sides are unable to convince the other to change their mind? Each side believes the other is blind to the truth. When we present the Gospel, sometimes it can feel like we are in one of these debates.
It is important to remember that when we present the gospel, it will be met in different ways. Some will see the truth and receive it, others will respond but it won’t take root. Still others will reject it outright.
Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to be faithful to the truth. In this world there will be people who remain blind to the truth of the Gospel. Let us continue to pray for our friends, family, and communities that remain blind to the truth. As followers of Christ, our job isn’t to convince people to believe in the Gospel. Our calling is to present the truth of the Gospel.
Pray:
Take some time now to pray for your friends and family to hear the Gospel with unveiled eyes.
Week Three | The Darkness & The Light
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
"Nyctophobia" means the fear of the dark. Most children (and many adults) are experience this particular phobia. We light up our house at night with lamps and nightlights to make us feel secure. We turn our headlights on when we drive at night.
As followers of Christ what we need to remember is that the God has given us His light. Jesus Christ is the light of God, so if we believe in Him we have the knowledge of God’s light.
It is this light which we present to the world. Our witness is not based out of our own eloquence or winsomeness. The light of Christ in us is what God uses to bring people to Himself. As followers of Christ, we don’t need to fear the darkness around us, for we have been given the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, Jesus Christ.
Reflect:
What holds you back from sharing your faith?
5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
"Nyctophobia" means the fear of the dark. Most children (and many adults) are experience this particular phobia. We light up our house at night with lamps and nightlights to make us feel secure. We turn our headlights on when we drive at night.
As followers of Christ what we need to remember is that the God has given us His light. Jesus Christ is the light of God, so if we believe in Him we have the knowledge of God’s light.
It is this light which we present to the world. Our witness is not based out of our own eloquence or winsomeness. The light of Christ in us is what God uses to bring people to Himself. As followers of Christ, we don’t need to fear the darkness around us, for we have been given the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, Jesus Christ.
Reflect:
What holds you back from sharing your faith?
Week Four | The Struggle and Hope
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
There are many stories of heroism in times of struggle. Often the hero is seen as having something intangible within their character that gives them the strength to face death or insurmountable odds.
For a follower of Christ, the profound truth is that we cannot save ourselves. We can do nothing to save ourselves, so we are not the hero of our own story.
The power to save is from God and not from us. So when the circumstances and relationships of life cause us to be hard pressed, we remember that we have a Hero, a Savior. Our Savior will not abandon us, He will not leave us in despair, He will not let us be crushed, and He will not let us be destroyed.
Reflect:
How have you tried to be the hero of your own story?
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
There are many stories of heroism in times of struggle. Often the hero is seen as having something intangible within their character that gives them the strength to face death or insurmountable odds.
For a follower of Christ, the profound truth is that we cannot save ourselves. We can do nothing to save ourselves, so we are not the hero of our own story.
The power to save is from God and not from us. So when the circumstances and relationships of life cause us to be hard pressed, we remember that we have a Hero, a Savior. Our Savior will not abandon us, He will not leave us in despair, He will not let us be crushed, and He will not let us be destroyed.
Reflect:
How have you tried to be the hero of your own story?
Week Five | Life and Death
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
The Christian faith is often characterized by its upside down nature. The last shall be first. Love your enemies. Blessed are the poor in spirit. One of the hardest for followers of Christ to recognize on a day to day basis is that we are given over to death so that the life of Christ can be revealed.
Parents and counselors understand this intrinsically. A good parent will die to themselves in order to raise their children well. They willingly give up their time and energies so that their children can grow. The nature of our faith is the same. We must die to ourselves so that the life of Christ can grow in us and through us.
Reflect:
How does our culture speak about death and life?
What does the Word of God speak about death and life?
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
The Christian faith is often characterized by its upside down nature. The last shall be first. Love your enemies. Blessed are the poor in spirit. One of the hardest for followers of Christ to recognize on a day to day basis is that we are given over to death so that the life of Christ can be revealed.
Parents and counselors understand this intrinsically. A good parent will die to themselves in order to raise their children well. They willingly give up their time and energies so that their children can grow. The nature of our faith is the same. We must die to ourselves so that the life of Christ can grow in us and through us.
Reflect:
How does our culture speak about death and life?
What does the Word of God speak about death and life?
Week Six | The Gospel
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:13-14
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
The Gospel is that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise those who believe in Him. Jesus came. He lived. He died and He was raised back to life. If we confess Jesus as Lord, we will also be raised to life. We must speak out on this. We must live like we believe this.
Sometimes we neglect to speak and proclaim this Gospel. We get tied up in doing good things, hoping that our love and compassion will speak for us. No doubt there is wisdom in this, but if we neglect to speak and proclaim the Gospel, we will be missing one crucial part of the equation.
The beauty of the Gospel is that it is simple enough for a child to understand, yet it is deep enough to confound the most educated among us. This Gospel is the word of life for us and for our world. Believe and speak.
Reflect:
What is your testimony? How has God worked in your life?
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
The Gospel is that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise those who believe in Him. Jesus came. He lived. He died and He was raised back to life. If we confess Jesus as Lord, we will also be raised to life. We must speak out on this. We must live like we believe this.
Sometimes we neglect to speak and proclaim this Gospel. We get tied up in doing good things, hoping that our love and compassion will speak for us. No doubt there is wisdom in this, but if we neglect to speak and proclaim the Gospel, we will be missing one crucial part of the equation.
The beauty of the Gospel is that it is simple enough for a child to understand, yet it is deep enough to confound the most educated among us. This Gospel is the word of life for us and for our world. Believe and speak.
Reflect:
What is your testimony? How has God worked in your life?
