REPENTANCE – Week 1: 3/10 – 3/16

Lent is a time to identify with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Each week you will go through a rhythm of looking to Christ, thinking about Christ, living like Christ, and worshipping Christ. Spend the week reading, reflecting, praying, and going to do likewise. Then come and celebrate together.

Look to Christ: Confession (Monday)

Read Hebrews 10:19-23

Lord, I need to be forgiven. I have tried to heal myself of sin. Instead of trusting in the death of Jesus Christ, I have tried to work off my shame. Instead of trusting in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have tried to change through my own efforts. I have tried to change my heart through sheer willpower. Forgive me for relying on myself to rid my sin. Forgive me for neglecting your grace. Forgive me and heal me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Think about Christ: Contemplation (Tuesday)

Read Mark 9:14-29

Christ never needed to repent but he speaks to how authentic and humble prayer is required to overcome our sinfulness. a) Is your repentance starting from humility? b) What are you trying to fix on your own without prayer?

Live as Christ: Commission (Wednesday – Saturday)

• Admit to God specific sins in your life and ask for help from the Spirit to turn from this sin.

• Share a struggle/sin with an accountability partner. Ask for help and support.

• Make amends with a strained relationship and ask for forgiveness

Worship Christ: Celebration (Sunday)

HUMILITY – Week 2: 3/17 – 3/23

Lent is a time to identify with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Each week you will go through a rhythm of looking to Christ, thinking about Christ, living like Christ, and worshipping Christ. Spend the week reading, reflecting, praying, and going to do likewise. Then come and celebrate together.

Look to Christ: Confession (Monday)

Read Isaiah 53:1-3

Jesus, help me to be as humble as you. You did not draw attention to yourself except to point people to God. You did not boast about your position or your abilities or your accomplishments. Forgive me for my pride, arrogance, and selfishness. I am sorry I put myself above you and my vain treatment of others. Jesus, not only were you humble in spirit but in your humility you lifted and encouraged others. You did not come as a king but as a servant; not to be served but to serve others. Help me to be like you and do as you do.

Think about Christ (Contemplation)

Read Philippians 2:1-11

Submission expressed Jesus’ humility. He yielded to authority with wilingness and approval. He volunteered. He was not forced. Jesus submitted to God’s plan of salvation, surrendering his equality in obedience, and took on the appearance of men. And even beyond just having this form, Jesus submitted to the point of death. 1) Do you insist on your way, hence revealing your pride? 2) What is your attitude when given orders or instruction? Do you absorb injustice so that God may exalt you in his time?

Live as Christ (Commission)

• Change your communication this week; season it with grace. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

• Do something, or give up doing something, that doesn’t elevate your pride, ego or status.

• Serve someone so he/she may be elevated or restored.

• Give up something you may feel entitled to so others may be blessed.

• Obey the instructions of your parents or others in legitimate authority.

Worship Christ: Celebration (Sunday)

SUFFERING – Week 3: 3/24 – 3/30

Lent is a time to identify with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Each week you will go through a rhythm of looking to Christ, thinking about Christ, living like Christ, and worshiping Christ. Spend the week reading, reflecting, praying, and going to do likewise. Then come and celebrate together.

Look to Christ (Confession)

Read Isaiah 53:4-12

Lord, You come to me, but I do not recognize You; You call, but I do not follow; You command, but I do not obey, You bless me, but I do not thank you. Lord, You accept me, but I do not accept others; do not love my neighbors. Lord, You showed me how to carry out Your mission, but I still insist on my own; You identified with the poor and needy, but I seek my own wants and desires; You suffered and died for all, but I turn to my own comfort. In the midst of my lack of faith, You are always faithful! Please forgive and help me, You are the faithful one! Amen!

Think about Christ (Contemplation)

Read Mark 10:23-34

In our comfortable lives, suffering is strange to us. Suffering actually makes no sense apart from Christ. We are prone to avoid hardship, even less willing to take on pain. But in Christ, suffering has a purpose and is even for our good. Suffering moves us to identify with our suffering Savior, Jesus, and allows us to share in his blessings and glory. To the world, suffering is to be weak and last. But to Christ, the last will be first and those suffering in his name will receive blessings a hundred times more.

Live as Christ (Commission)

• Visit or call someone who is sick and pray for them. How can you serve them and bear their burdens?

• If you are suffering, what is God showing you about himself, and about you in light of him? Reach out to a brother or sister.

• In what areas are you quitting too early and not growing from perseverance?

• Surrender some of your comforts or privilege so as to identify with Christ. Where must you be last instead of first? How must you stop striving for the values of the world (riches, acclaim, comfort, luxuries, influencer, etc)?

Worship Christ: Celebration (Sunday)