FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 2018 Lent Guide
LENT: A JOURNEY TO EASTER A guide for all ages
Self-denial during Lent is designed to help make time and space in our daily lives, minds, and spirits for prayer and study.
SUNDAYS IN LENT Consider reading along with the Lenten sermon passages.
FEBRUARY 18 FEBRUARY 25 MARCH 4
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27 GALATIANS 6:1-10 EXODUS 20:1-17
MARCH 11
2 PETER 1:1-11
MARCH 18
EPHESIANS 5:1-20
MARCH 25 MARK 5:18-20 Try www.biblegateway.com for a variety of versions of the Bible readings.
WH AT IS L EN T ? It’s the 40-day period of repentance and renewal preceding Easter. •Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14, and ends with the Easter Service, April 1. •Holy Week remembers Christ’s last week of life on earth. It’s the final, most important part of Lent. •“Lent” comes from the Middle English word “Lente,” meaning “springtime.”
The Lenten period allows us time to recall the Easter story and absorb its meaning. Lent is a special time for •Meditation, prayer, and penitential practices. •Growing understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection. •Renewal of commitment to the Christian life and the responsibilities we take on at our baptisms.
BIB L ICA L B EGI N NI NG S A QUICK HISTORY Fasting and prayer have been important observances since Biblical times. They have often preceded great religious revelations or events.
DAYS
A HISTORY: VISUALLY SPEAKING
40 DAYS
MOSES
40 DAYS
ELIJAH
40 DAYS
JESUS
EXODUS 34:27-28
1 KINGS 19:1-18
MATTHEW 4:1-2 & LUKE 4:1-12
Moses fasted and prayed for 40 days. During this time, God gave him the code of law known as the Ten Commandments.
Elijah fled for his life through the wilderness, fasting 40 days and nights until he came to Mt. Horeb. There God appeared and instructed him on how to overcome his enemies.
After baptism, Jesus withdrew to the desert to fast and pray for 40 days before beginning his public ministry.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY In the early Church, baptism and penance were key Lenten themes. During Lent, candidates prepared for Easter baptism and people did public penance for serious sins. Later, penance became more private and the season became a time of forgiveness and reconciliation for those who acknowledged their sinfulness.
N O M ATTER TH E SP ECIFIC CO M M I TM E NT, OUR S EL F-D ENI A L DURING L ENT S HOULD BE U N DERSTO O D AS GIV ING U P S O METH I NG FOR A G REATER GOOD— A POS I TIVE ACT. A POSITIVE LENT FAMILY FRIENDLY LENT DEVOTIONAL
WWW.D365.ORG
clickable, online devotional for individuals & families IDEA! “Like” us on Facebook for Lenten information. www.facebook.com/firstbaptistgriffinconnexion/
T H E H E A RT O F LE NT The purpose of lent is inner penitence and reconciliation with God.
Through self-examination, God gifts inner healing. Some traditional Lenten practices that encourage reflection and spiritual growth include fasting, special commitments, good deeds and almsgiving, prayer, Christian study, and special worship services.
Some Hints for Getting the Most Out of Lent
01
02
Observe Lent with others.
Plan your Lenten program.
Lent is a time for strengthening family
Be realistic and honest. Choose practices
ties. Everyone, including children, should
that require effort and self-control while
pray, read scripture, and attend services
beginning only what you can accomplish.
together.
03
04
Develop helpful attitudes.
Be fair.
Approach Lent joyfully, thinking of it as a time of opportunity rather than sacrifice.
Incorporate your practices in daily life without making others feel uncomfortable or guilty.
PENI T E NT I A L P RACTI CES Fasting or Special Commitments Fasting can be a way to cleanse the body and mind by imposing self-discipline. For food related fasts, consider giving up one big meal a week and donating the money saved to charity. Other options are giving up snacking between meals, a favorite food or drink, or eliminating wasteful habits and expensive excesses. Fasting can also include decreasing television, gaming, or social media time or limiting our social commitments. Sundays are always feast days, even during Lent. Give yourself grace and time to reflect and reset.
Good Deeds and Almsgiving These practices involve self-sacrifice to serve and benefit others in order to strengthen Christian living, encourage compassion and charity in our daily lives, and ease the emotional and physical pain of those in need. Consider giving time and/or money to alleviate hunger, poverty, and suffering. Look for ways to help your neighbors. Serve with our church family at Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry on March 3 or with our intergenerational mission project on March 17.
Get Involved and Serve our Community this Lent March 3rd and March 17th Community Mission Projects for Individuals or families!
Lenten Practices Calendar Whether you have children in your home or not, this calendar is a great resource for those who have never practiced Lent! Each day emphasizes either fasting, praying, or almsgiving/service, and the practice lasts for that particular day. This helps children and adults exercise discipline while also experiencing success in keeping the commitment. The activities are simple and invite us to try several different practices, allowing us to learn how we might best connect with God.
Other Christian Writings Alary, Laura Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter Brueggemann, Walter A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent Rohr, Richard Wondrous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent Seay, Chris A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor
Opportunities this Lent Season Wednesday, February 14 Satruday, March 3 Saturday, March 17 Sunday, March 25 Wednesday, March 28 Thursday, March 29 Friday, March 30
Ash Wednesday Service 6pm FBC serves at Five Loaves and Two Fish 10am-12pm contact Gail Hammock FBC Mission Project 9-12pm Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt 6pm Maundy Thursday Service 7pm, Bramblett Chapel Good Friday, Chapel open for prayer from 10am-12pm