2018 Lent bible studies – updated 2023

We have created a facebook group in which to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

What is LENT?
Wikipedia has a very complete explanation for many of the christian denominations that observe LENT. Short and simple, it’s making oneself prepared through humility to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the Christian equivalent to Passover for the Jews.

DEVOTION MENU
I’m putting the WEEKLY outline here, and will add the links as the devotions are written! There will be pages for the weeks, with individual posts for each day. They will all be interlinked so that you can find whatever day you need to see. If you miss a day, don’t worry! just jump in where ever you are! The dates will be for 2018.

  1. Lent 2018 Week One
  2. Lent 2018 Week Two
  3. Lent 2018 Week Three
  4. Lent 2018 Week Four – Upper Room talks
  5. Lent 2018 Week Five – Upper Room and Garden
  6. Lent 2018 Week Six – Trials and Judgement
  7. Lent Week Seven – the final hours
  8. Maundy Thursday(4/6/2023)
  9. Good Friday(4/7/2023)
  10. Holy Saturday(4/8/2023)
  11. Easter
  12. PassOver Week 2023 4/5 to 4/15

CALENDAR
40 days of lent(7 weeks minus Sundays + 4 days from Ash Wed) – or 46 days western, or 53(?) – including passover and Orthodox Easter, I think!
This is harder to figure out than the Advent log!

I accessed the Mirror for information on this year’s Lent Calendar. Not the most Christian of resources, but it worked!

Lent is “40” days. and yet – that doesn’t work out! Why? Because Sunday’s are considered mini-resurrection/easter celebrations, so there is no fasting on those days. This year, the calendar works very nicely, with Passover falling between the two celebrations of Resurrection Sunday. We will be talking about Passover, and the last phrases of Christ on the cross.

2019 Lent begins Wednesday, March 6, and ends Thursday, April 18. Good Friday would be April 17, and Easter Sunday, April 19.
Passover starts Friday, April 19, and ends Saturday, April 27. Orthodox Easter is Sunday, April 28th.

2018 Lent dates – These would apply similarly to each year.
2/13 – Shrove Tuesday – you are on your own! Eat pancakes, do whatever!
2/14 – Ash Wednesday
2/19 – Orthodox Clean Monday
3/25 – Palm Sunday
3/30 – Passover begins
4/1 – Typical Easter
4/6 – Orthodox Good Friday
4/7 – Passover Ends
4/8 – Orthodox Easter

LENTEN SUNDAYS
Those 6 Sundays I’m going to call Lenten Sundays – or the # Sunday in Lent.
In my Advent Devotions, I have an elaborate candle set up. I believe the Lord has given me a Lent equivalent. It’s not a wreath, it’s a cross.

LENTEN Candle Cross Instructions
My husband and I created it, and he will add the detailed instructional photos.
6 candles for each Sunday, and one in the center of the cross for Resurrection.
We will do the reverse of Advent. In Advent, we start with one, and move towards the light coming to us!
In Lent, we will start with the light, and move towards the darkness of the days Jesus was in the Tomb.

Coloring Pages:
I want these to be family activities, therefore, I’m going to list a few free coloring page websites here:

EASTER EGGS OR ROCKS
I do not have any affiliate links, I’m just linking to Family Life for your benefit.
We don’t do easter eggs or bunny rabbits in our house. I do like the idea from Family Life about Resurrection Eggs – but, I still don’t like mixing my Christian beliefs with those of the fertility goddess Eastra. The Ancient Origins explains the Pagan background. History.com has a very good write up about the symbols of Easter.

What I want to do in the future is to take those brightly colored eggs and spray paint them like rocks, and put items inside them for each day. I am adding those item ideas IN THESE DEVOTIONS, so that if you don’t have a problem with resurrection eggs, you can make your own LENTEN eggs to go along with these devotions!

Fasting:
If you choose to food and/or water fast – make sure that you are aware of the situation, and follow wisdom.
There are many thoughts on fasting. Fasting is giving up something that you love in order to focus on Jesus more.

Belief.net has much information about various ways to fast for Lent!

The Purposeful Mom has created a Lent calendar that is great for families.

ASH WEDNESDAY?
Christianity.com has a full explanation, though I have seen things that say it was pagan origins.
Pray.com explains the Christian/Catholic origins of Ash Wednesday with Prayers.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT SAY NO CELEBRATIONS?
Just to give the other side – there is some that say ashes come from pagan beginnings.  I think there are early versions of ashes in the Bible. Sometimes I think that if you dig deeper than the pagan origins, you could find that the pagan origins came from the true believers, and were polluted. Rainbows come to mind! As Christians, let’s choose to glorify God in all we do. If HE convicts us that something we do is sin – then let’s obey that in our life. If another is not convicted likewise, and still is doing something that is not specifically called out as sin in the Bible, let’s practice grace, as Paul discussed in the explanation of eating or not eating of meat. It is my opinion, for what it’s worth, that you can find something that says something about anything is wrong! We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth – and in Love, mercy, grace, peace and all those other fruits.

Let’s Be Like Jesus!

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Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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