LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN eason S LENTEN GUIDEBOOK LENTEN A 4-WEEK JOURNEY AS WE STUDY THROUGH A SEASON OF SELF EXAMINATION, SABATH, REST, AND PREPARATION FOR THE RESURRECTION
FEB14-MAR 31
LENT 2024
is upon us! The Lenten season is the 40-day period starting on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Resurrection Sunday (also known as Easter Sunday) . During this period, Christians all over the world engage in prayer, fasting, sacrificial giving, acts of service, and overall reflection on their spiritual journey. This year, our Lenten focus is “Expansion,” in keeping with our theme for this year. As a church, our goal during lent is to expand our spiritual, physical, and financial territory. Each day will have a different focus; however, collectively, over the course of the weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday, your territory will be enlarged. Please see the Lenten instructions below.
“Share-the-Word” Sundays “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature…’” –Matthew 16:15 Action: Commit to inviting 5 people per week to worship with you in person. Additionally, share the Word on your social media platforms or share your sermon notes with family, friends, co-workers, etc. Fast: It’s SUNDAY! Enjoy your day!
Meditation Mondays “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your prosperous, and then you will have good success.” -Joshua 1:8 Action: Commit to meditating on 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 in the mornings and evenings. Make a list of the ways in which God is enlarging your territory and begin to pray about what God needs you to do to prepare for the enlarged responsibilities that come with expansion Fast: Abstain from food between the hours of 6AM-6PM. Drink water and allow meditation on the Word to fill you spiritually. For health reasons, if you must eat, please try to eat fruits and vegetables only.
“Trust God” Tuiesdays “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” –Proverbs 3:5 Action: Trusting God is an important component of expansion. Step out on faith and take the first step toward a goal you have not achieved because of fear i.e. school application, business license, becoming active in a ministry, etc. Fast: No fried foods.
“Work on Me” Wednesdays “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” -2 Peter 3:18 Action: It’s time to grow. It’s time to develop. It’s time to be better. Grab a book, invest in a class, exercise, learn financial growth strategies, etc. Commit to making Wednesdays YOUR day to become the best you! Fast: No artificial/added sugars (no candy, coffee creamers, sodas, juice, etc.)
Thankful Thursdays “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18 Action: Begin your day by simply thanking God for all God’s blessings from the smallest to the biggest. Express your gratitude to God by committing to one generous act for someone else i.e. buying a cup of coffee for a stranger, assisting an elderly person with household duties, etc. Fast: No meat.
Fasting Fridays “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” –Ezra 8:23 Action: See the fast instructions below. Replace the time you would normally spend engaged in the activity you’re fasting from and commit that time to prayer. Fast: Choose a non-food item to fast from for 24 hours. This can include social media, television, games, etc.
Stewardship Saturdays “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” -1 Peter 4:10 Action: As you end one week and prepare to start a new week, take inventory of your financial decisions over the week and plan your spending for the next week. Set a budget. Don’t forget to tithe. Prepare for the increase. Fast: No unnecessary spending. Only essential items such as food, gas, medicine, etc.
THIS LENTEN GUIDE WAS WRITTEN BY REV. WILLIE N. BARNES, JR. , PH.D.