Following Jesus to the Cross
2010 Lenten Guide
Pantano Christian Church
Follow me!
The most basic invitation and command of Jesus is to follow him. Take some time to look at a few of the verses where Jesus offered the invitation to follow him: Luke 5:27; 9:23, 59; 18:22; John 10:27; 12:19; 21:22; Matthew 4:19; 10:38. The most significant and the most important thing in the entire world is to follow Jesus well. During Lent we’ll focus on what it means to follow Jesus well and some of the things that get in the way of doing that. That’s why we focus on fasting during Lent – removing some of the distractions that keep us from following Jesus well.
Glen Elliott
Lead Pastor
What is Lent?
Lent is an opportunity to practice the key spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading and fasting that help us follow Jesus well. Traditionally Lent is the 40 days of fasting before Easter (Sundays were not traditionally counted in the fasting). Lent is a time of preparation for remembering and celebrating the suffering of Jesus on the cross and his victorious resurrection on Easter.
Lent at Pantano Christian Church
2010 Theme: Following Jesus to the Cross
We invite you to enter and practice the Lent season in the following ways:
1. Begin Lent by coming together for the Ash Wednesday service on Wed. Feb. 17 (7pm – main auditorium) for encouragement, resources and instructions.
2. Continue or start the 2010 Bible Reading Challenge. During Lent we want to be in God’s Word hearing from God.
3. Use this Lenten Guide. Lent begins on Wednesday, so each week of Lent begins on Wednesday. On Wed. of each week read the scriptures that prepare us for that week. Take time to meditate on those scriptures (online use “Meditation” in the keyword box). Each week will have specific suggestions and instructions for the unique fast of the week. Each week we’ll fast from something different – food, entertainment, busyness and things. See the back of this guide for help on how to fast or go online using keyword: “Fasting”
4. Conclude Lent during the Maundy Thursday celebration on April 1st (7pm). The program is called “Christ in the Passover” presented by Jews for Jesus. During this service we’ll remember the Last Supper of Jesus and conclude our fasts with communion.
What is Fasting?
During Lent we decide to fast from something that we consume and consumes us. It can be something that we typically “can’t live without” or it can simply be something we enjoy and would miss. We can fast from food in general or from specific foods like sugar or caffeine. We can also fast from activities or hobbies (like watching TV), or habits (like talking too much) or even from sinful things (like addictions).
We fast for four basic reasons:
1) It reminds us of our selfishness and self-focus. Fasting is an act of self-denial and dying to self is a life-long journey with God.
2) During our fasting, the desire or temptation to partake of the food, activity or habit becomes our reminder or prompting to pray.
3) We use the time we would invest in eating, preparing food or in the activity or habit we are fasting from to use for prayer, Bible reading and reflection.
4) In a small way during our fast we join Jesus in his suffering and dying. We join him in “crucifying our flesh” during this time. To maximize our Lent experience we choose fasts that are truly self-denial by “dying” to things that is a part of our life.
Check out some more ideas on “Fasting” on our website. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you have any serious health issues before fasting from food.
Week 1 – February 17- 23
We choose to follow Jesus.
Read: Luke 14:25-35
Practice: Focus before the fast. We begin Lent not with fasting but focusing on Jesus.
Read the Gospel of Mark this week as if you’ve never read it before. If you are doing the 2010 Bible Reading Plan, you won’t read Mark again until December. To finish it in a week requires reading just over two chapters a day. The focus here is on re-discovering Jesus. Take the time to focus on Jesus – it is a great way to begin Lent.
Week 2 – February 24 – March 2
We find our nourishment in the Bread of Life.
Read: John 6:30-51; Matthew 4:1-4
Practice: Fast from food. In fasting we intend to feel hunger. The hunger and fasting reminds us of our dependence on God and that only he fills. Here are some options:
- Fast from one meal a day. If you have had experience in fasting, you might fast for more than one meal.
- Almost half the planet lives on less than $2 a day. How about joining them? For this week, eat $2 worth of food a day. Additionally, you might consider giving the money you didn’t spend on food to the Food Bank, our benevolence program or help those in Haiti.
- If you can’t fast from one or more meals, choose a significant kind of food to fast from like coffee, any sugar, meat, etc.
Week 3 – March 3 – 9
We must be ready and attentive to the Lord.
Read: Matthew 24:42-44 (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11). Jesus admonishes us “keep watch” and “be ready” for his return.
Practice: Fast from entertainment. We love to be entertained. There is nothing wrong with entertainment! But our entertainment often keeps us from being attentive to God and serving others well. Consider these options to unplug from in order to create space for God:
- TV, videos or movie
- Electronic gaming, computer or smart phone surfing
- Music
- Whatever your source of amusement is
Week 4 – March 10 – March 16
We resist the temptation to fill our lives with too much activity.
Read: Exodus 31:12-19; Luke 6:1-11.
Practice: Fast from work or busyness. God knew we all needed rest (called the Sabbath). Jesus reminds us that it is not a law of time and place, but a need of man. Devote special time to your family, friends and neighbors or time with God. We think we are important when we are busy. But it in fact being busy distracts us from things that are truly vital. Here are some options:
- At sundown each day this week rest, reflect and re-create
- Take a real day off of work – a Sabbath rest
- Take a Sabbath rest from a major project
Week 5 – March 17 – March 23
We are not to own but we are owned.
Read: Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23
Practice: Fast from or avoid unnecessary purchases. Experience freedom from stuff. Notice all the ways you are bombarded with advertisements. Our culture tries to force us to be primarily consumers. The lie of our culture is that we’ll only be happy by what we consume (buy, own and eat). The world promises that if we own or experience this or that, we’ll be really satisfied. Really?
- Rather than consuming, practice giving without the possibility of receiving in return
- Give a joyful and sacrificial gift to bless someone in need
- Make a plan to get out and stay out of debt
Week 6 – March 24 – 31
We follow Jesus to the cross.
Read: Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6-14
Practice: We prepare to remember the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus on the cross (Maundy Thursday – April 1st and Good Friday – April 2nd – services at 7pm).
- Meditate on and memorize Galatians 2:20
- Journal a response to this: To follow Jesus to the cross means…
- Make a list of the things you need to crucify in your life. Offer them to Jesus. Spend significant time in prayer.
