Lent, the season before Easter that commemorates the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness before his ministry began, invites us to contemplate our own Christian journey and consider the disciplines that we need to become whole. How can we deepen our relationship to God as we represent and meet with Christ through our words and action?
Many of us are unfamiliar with the practice of Lent, though its observance is gaining popularity in all kinds of churches from Baptist to Pentecostal. Those of us who do acknowledge it tend to think of Lent as a time to give up a non-essential food item, like chocolate, or activities such as watching TV. Some of us fast for a day or two and get a warm glow of satisfaction because of our sacrifice, but these observances make little if any difference to the ongoing journey of our lives.
Lent is not really about sacrifice or deprivation. In the early church, this was a time of preparation for those about to be baptized. Today it is more often regarded as a season of soul-searching and repentance for all Christians as a preparation for the joy and celebration of Easter. Unfortunately for many of us, our soul searching is as perfunctory as our sacrifices. We spend a little more time reading the bible and praying. Some of us spend a few hours working with a local mission, but otherwise our lives are unchanged. And after Easter, there is very little to show for our commitment.
This year during Lent, we would like to invite you to join us on a journey with Jesus toward the Cross, a journey that we hope will change our lives forever. We want to challenge you to set aside time to deepen your relationship with God by entering the brokenness of our world. Allow yourself to encounter Christ as you reflect on all the aspects of your life and our world that distort your ability to live as effective representatives of God and God’s kingdom.
(from the introduction)
A Journey Into Wholeness – Lenten Series
Although the Lenten Guide is free, if used for a group we suggest a $5/person donation.
Thank you!
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