The Season of Lent

Lent is the forty days leading up to Easter, a season in which we look to disrupt our normal rhythms and deny ourselves normal comforts to turn our attention toward Jesus with greater frequency and focus. During this season, we remember the days that led up to Jesus’ death and resurrection and re-prioritize the practices that make us more mindful and grateful of what He did for us. As disciples of Jesus, seeking to abide daily and live intentionally, we see Lent as an opportunity to prioritize Scripture reading, prayer, and fasting.

The Bible is God’s primary way of revealing His truth to us and reading it is essential to abiding daily with Jesus. It’s especially valuable to read a Gospel during Lent because it helps us see the whole story of Jesus’ life leading up to His death and resurrection, which we remember on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Study Scripture

We invite you to use the following guide to read through the Gospel of John. As you read, pay special attention to the relationship Jesus had with God the Father, which becomes an example of how we are to abide in Jesus. We recommend using the S.O.A.P. Bible Reading Method detailed at the bottom of this page when reading Scripture.

The Gospel of John – 30 day reading plan

Use this schedule to read through the book of John in 30 days. You can read Monday through Friday and use the weekend to catch up on any days you may have missed, or use the weekend to work on Scripture memorization.

Week 1

• Day 1:  John 1:1-28

• Day 2:  John 1:29-51

• Day 3:  John 2:1-25

• Day 4:  John 3:1-21

• Day 5:  John 3:22-36

Week 2

• Day 6:  John 4:1-26

• Day 7:  John 4:27-54

• Day 8:  John 5:1-30

• Day 9:  John 5:31-6:14

• Day 10:  John 6:15-50

Week 3

• Day 11: John 6:60-7:9

• Day 12: John 7:10-44

• Day 13: John 7:45-8:20

• Day 14: John 8:21-47

• Day 15: John 8:48-9:12

Memorize Scripture

Memorizing Scripture helps us keep God’s Word on our minds and in our hearts. It does not come easily, but the work is worth it to have Scripture with you wherever you go. John 15:1-10 describes the kind of relationship we need to have with Jesus—He is the vine, we are the branches, and we must abide in Him.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that  it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands,
you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

John 15:1-10

Do whatever works best for you to commit this Scripture to memory. Maybe it’s taking it one verse at a time, writing out short parts of it each day, or putting it somewhere that you’ll see each day. Find the technique that works for you. Make a commitment and follow through. We know you can do it!

Additional Reading

As you’re studying John and memorizing “The Vine and Branches” passage, we recommend reading one of these books that can help you live in an abiding relationship with Jesus.

-  The True Vine by Andrew Murray

-  Pray Like Monks, Live Like Fools by Tyler Statton

Prayer is the other side of how we abide daily with Jesus. It is an amazing gift that the God of the Universe wants us to talk with Him, and yet most of us don’t give prayer much of a place in our lives. Prioritizing prayer during Lent can create a rhythm of prayer that lasts long after the season is over.

Morning Prayer

Begin your day with prayer. You can do this bedside on your knees, at your table with a cup of coffee, or wherever you can focus best. You can pray through the themes of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), or over your daily schedule, or for the people closest to you. However you practice this, you’ll notice that giving your first moments to God will change every other part of your day.

Evening Prayer

The end of the day, over dinner or right before bed, is a great time to express gratitude to God. God’s mercy is new every day for those with eyes to see it. This rhythm will prompt you to see God’s goodness and mercy in ways that you would otherwise take for granted. Whenever and wherever you do this, slow down and sit in silence and give God thanks for the good He has done for you each day.

Fasting is a Christian practice in which we choose to abstain from food or something else for a specific period of time in order to concentrate on God. We live in a culture of desires, excess, and luxury. Fasting denies those desires and redirects them to God, who fills us up. Choose one of the fasting approaches below and committing to it through the season of Lent.

Fast from comforts

Give up something you enjoy—alcohol, social media, watching TV shows, chocolate or desserts, retail therapy, etc.—for the season of Lent. When you feel a craving for what you gave up, turn your attention to Jesus and thank Him for what He means to you. You might also use the time you would have spent for Scripture reading and prayer.

Fast from food

Fasting is a way for us to turn from our physical appetites and recognize our greater hunger and need for God. You can skip one meal for your fast, or try a 24 hour fast (from Tuesday dinner until Wednesday dinner). Here are some other helpful suggestions while fasting:

• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. If you need to, drink juices or other liquids. Remember that keeping a strict fast is not the goal.

• Don’t give up too quickly. Press through, and let your body feel the hunger.

• Decide ahead of time when you will begin and break the fast, and commit to wait.

• Be careful to not fill up your time with activities that keep you from praying.

• Use Scripture reading to fuel your prayer time.

• Journal what you believe God is saying to you during this time.

Fasting Prayer Focus

Fasting is especially impactful when it is accompanied by a specific focus in prayer. The desires left unsatisfied by fasting prompt us to pray more often. Praying for those around us who are not yet committed to Jesus will be the focus of our fasting this season. Begin by identifying at least 3-5 people close to you who aren’t committed to Jesus. Then, choose an approach to fasting that will prompt you to pray earnestly for their salvation.

Prayerfuly make a list of people close to you but far from God. Commit to praying for them daily during Lent.

1. __________________________

2. ___________________________

3. ___________________________

4. ___________________________

5. ___________________________

BRIDGEPOINTE’S APPROACH TO SCRIPTURE READING

S.O.A.P. is an acronym for silence, observation, application and prayer. It’s a powerful tool that moves you from the text into the reality of your life. Using this method consistently will make it a habit and something you are familiar with. Use a journal or notebook and apply this method to work through any passage of Scripture.

Silence

When you read Scripture, it is necessary to slow down and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Take a moment to be silent, pray and listen to the Spirit before you start.

Observation

Read the text and ask the following questions:

• What does this reveal about Jesus?

• How does this challenge the reader to believe in Jesus or become like Him?

Application

Write down how the passage applies to your life today.

• How should this change the way that I think?

• What does this challenge me to do?

Prayer

• Talk to God about what you have heard from this text

• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond to the application of this Scripture in your life.