You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me …
John 5:39 (NIV)
Three Opportunities to Study the Scriptures During Lent (2020)
During this Lenten season (2020), I’d like to invite you to come and study the Scriptures in three different ways …
- “Forty Day Journey with Jesus” (online devotional during Lent)
- “eXPlain it” (an online learning portal)
- “Saturdays in the Scripture” (study at East Bethlehem Church)
Invitation One: “Forty Day Journey with Jesus” (online Lenten devotional)
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)
This year, the penitential season of Lent begins the last week of February. Starting on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, I’d like to invite you to join me for a 40 day online Lenten journey. Here’s what I’d like to offer.
On each day of the Lenten Journey I’ll post the following:
- a link to a Gospel reading
- a brief meditation
- a prayer and a few questions for reflection
- on the Sundays of Lent, I’ll post something brief so that we can “sabbath”, cease from our work and receive all of the works of Jesus
If you journey forty days with the posted meditations (not counting Sundays), they will lead you through Holy Week and bring you to the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
40 Days of Devotions (beginning on Ash Wednesday)
Each day of the Lenten Journey begins with a selected portion from one of the Gospels.
Following the Scripture reference is a brief, written meditation centered on the Gospel for the day. Read the meditation with a receptive heart, asking Christ to reveal himself through the words. The words aren’t perfect. Neither are the thoughts behind them. Together, though, they just might be a means by which the Holy Spirit may choose to reveal the person and work of Jesus.
After each reading is a prayer. Use the prayer to focus, direct, and capture the desire of your heart on that day. Apply it to your situation in life. Let it guide and shape your understanding of who Christ is. Come back to it throughout the day and allow it to do whatever work Christ may choose.
Finally, there is a section for reflection.
Seven Sabbaths
Scattered throughout the forty days are seven “Sabbaths”. Each provides a shelter of rest and is built on one of the phrases and promises from the twenty-third Psalm.
- a shelter of provision
- a place of peace
- a new beginning
- safe and never alone
- a moment of celebration
- lavish goodness and love
- the certainty of an eternal dwelling
A link to the first meditation is in the button below.
Delivered to Your Inbox
If you have already signed up for updates you’ll receive all of these posts and devotionals directly to your inbox. They should arrive by 5 am (EST) each day. If you haven’t signed up you can click the blue button below.
Invitation Two: “eXPlain it” (online discipleship portal)
“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”
Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:31-32, 35 (NIV)
The “eXPlain it” portal is an online discipleship resource created to help you understand the person and work of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in all of the Scriptures.
If you’d like to help …
I need a number of individuals who would be willing to work their way through the online classes as they are being developed and give feedback along the way. You can start with one class and add more as your time allows.
If interested, could you do the following …
- Go to the “eXPlain it” portal (click here)
- Enroll in the “Receptive Life” class (click here)
- Enroll in the “eXPlain it” class (click here)
I’ll be posting more videos and developing this discipleship portal over the next couple of weeks. It will be a work in process. In advance, thanks for your patience, feedback and encouragement. Maybe the Lord will use this to help “eXPlain” Jesus to your friends and family.
Below are two video blogs (“vlogs”) to give you an idea of what I’d like to accomplish.
the “eXPlain it” online experience
Here’s a little video blog (“vlog”) that gives you some more information about the “eXPlain it” teaching model and the “the Receptive Life” discipleship process.
“the Receptive Life” online class
In the video post below you’ll hear a broad overview of “The Receptive Life”. I’ll also introduce you to a tactile tool I’ve developed to help you daily and weekly get to all of the places where the Triune God has promised to give all of His gifts. I’ve called the tool “The Psalm 119 Prayer Cycle”.
The video was a bit difficult to light and shoot (still learning the technology). In addition, the print on the diagrams was a bit small. But to make up the difference I’ve provided a link to the diagrams.
Here’s the video.
Invitation Three: “Saturdays in the Scripture” on site study at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 (NIV)
Right Teaching, Righteous Living and Hope in Jesus
Benjamin Mayes, in his article The Useful Applications of Scripture,
noted that the study of the Scriptures should have a two-fold aim: the correct interpretation of the text and then the “salutary” application of the text.
Using the example of the Scriptures themselves (and the Lutheran the fathers of 17th century), Mayes makes mention of five “salutary uses” of the study of the Word of God:
The Useful Applications of Scripture
- teaching the truth
- refuting false doctrine
- rebuking sin and the reproof of an immoral life
- training in righteousness and an exhortation towards a godly life
- consolation and encouragement for the heart centered in the person and work of Jesus
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-16 (NIV)
Location
We’ll meet at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit
3510 E. Outer Drive Detroit, Michigan 48234
Phone: 313-892-2670
Dates and Time
Our days and times of study will be …
- from 10 am – 12/noon
- on the following Saturday mornings …
February 22 and 29th
March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
Topics of Study
We’ll begin with the ABC’s of the Christian faith …
- The Ten Commandments (the Triune God’s will)
- The Creed (the Triune God’s work)
- Lord’s Prayer (the Triune God’s instruction and invitation to pray)
- Sacrament of Baptism (drown the devil)
- Confession (silence the devil)
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (starve the devil)
- Table of Duties (living the Christian life)
Resources Used
We’ll use and reference the following resources …
- the Word of God
- Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms
- a discipleship tool I have developed called The Receptive Life.
Lord, help us hear, read, mark, learn and meditate on Your Word
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
The Lord Jesus has given us the Scriptures so that we may learn, know and trust in Him. The prayer of the church spoken before the study of the Scriptures beautifully summarizes the promise of Jesus and the hope of the human heart.
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (The Collect of the Word, The Lutheran Hymnal, p. 14)
The Lord bless you with all of His gifts,
Paul