Sunday (3/6)

Lent is a season of forty days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter. The United Methodist Book of Worship reminds us that, “Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians” (page 320). You are encouraged to set this season apart. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with the Lord (Exodus 34), and Jesus spend 40 days fasting in the wilderness as the Spirit of God guided him (Luke 4). What will you leave behind or give up during these 40 days to be with the Lord? What faith practices/spiritual disciplines/holy habits will you utilize during this season to be shaped and formed more and more into the likeness of Christ?

 

In regards to this Your Faith Journey devotional, you will be guided to read the entire Gospel According to Luke during this season, beginning on Monday, March 7th, then concluding on April 20th. Luke’s Gospel is one of four gospels within the New Testament of the Bible. Before you begin the Luke reading plan for Lent, you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube that was created by the Bible Project which is about the Gospels:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. In regards to the verses you read, what do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. How do I see myself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

6. What do these verses reveal about God and Jesus?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible…

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more.

The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (3/7)

Memory Verse: John 14:27

*You are encouraged to memorize a verse or verses each week of this season of Lent. The verse for this week is Jesus’ message from John 14:27. You can memorize the version listed below or from some other translation:

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

You are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about the first nine chapters of Luke before you begin this Lent reading plan. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Luke: 1-9 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray the following words from the song “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe:

Word of God speak,

Would you pour down like rain,

washing my eyes to see your majesty?

To be still and know that you’re in this place,

please let me stay and rest in your holiness?

Word of God speak.

 

Read Luke 1:1-25. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already

done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with, then conclude your prayer time with the prayer Jesus taught from Matthew 6:9-13 (NRSV):

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us to the time of trial,

but rescue us from the evil one.

 

 

Tuesday (3/8)

Memory Verse: John 14:27

*Read the Memory Verse a few times before you pray.

 

Pray the following words from the hymn “I Surrender All” by J. W. Van Deventer:

All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,

all to thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you seek to be with Jesus using a physical posture that is helpful. Consider focusing on each breath, knowing that the Lord has provided the air you breathe and He is as close to you as the breath in your lungs.

 

Read Luke 1:26-56. Use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick,

imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

Conclude your time of prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer the way you have memorized it.

 

 

Wednesday (3/9)

Memory Verse: John 14:27

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it before you pray.

 

Pray the following words from the song “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe:

Word of God speak,

Would you pour down like rain,

washing my eyes to see your majesty?

To be still and know that you’re in this place,

please let me stay and rest in your holiness?

Word of God speak.

 

Read Luke 1:57-80. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray however you feel led to pray, then conclude your prayer time with the prayer Jesus taught from Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT):

 

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,

and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptations,

but rescue us from the evil one.

 

 

Thursday (3/10)

Memory Verse: John 14:27

*Read the Memory Verse a few times before you pray.

 

Pray the following words from the hymn “I Surrender All” by J. W. Van Deventer:

All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,

all to thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine being alone with Jesus and surrendering fully to his authority and glory. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, or kneel in awe of Christ our King.

 

Read Luke 2:1-20. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

Conclude your time of prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it.

 

 

Friday (3/11)

Memory Verse: John 14:27

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it before you pray.

 

Pray the following words from the song “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe:

Word of God speak,

Would you pour down like rain,

washing my eyes to see your majesty?

To be still and know that you’re in this place,

please let me stay and rest in your holiness?

Word of God speak.

 

Read Luke 2:21–52. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray that the Lord helps you and our congregation to live the AUMC virtues revealed in Christ, which includes humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love. Afterwards, conclude your prayer time with the prayer Jesus taught from Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB):

 

Our Father, who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 

 

Saturday (3/12)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and be refreshed. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to

incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship and rest an entire day each week.

 

Read John 14:27, the memory verse for this past week.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with the Lord, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. Focus on the memory verse as if you are hearing Jesus speak it directly to you. Allow Jesus’ words to roll around in your mind and transform your heart.

 

Read Luke 3:1-20. Use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time.

 

Pray in response to the Lord, then conclude your time of prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer the way you have memorized it.

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced God working in your life this past week. What did you learn about yourself, God, or others? Consider writing your answers in a journal or spending some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend.