Curriculum for Lent 2021
The Season of Lent within the church is a time of introspection, repentance, forgiveness, and the steps we take towards new birth. Studies during this time are often focused upon reconnecting to God in faith or in understanding what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.
During Lent 2021, the pastors at Bluff Park UMC will be using a wonderful daily devotional by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann as a guide for a weekly podcast as well as for Lenten sermons in worship. You can find Brueggemann’s devotional, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent at Cokesbury.com.
A Way Other Than Our Own by Walter Brueggemann
Sunday School Classes and Groups
You might want to think about a new study from Rev. Adam Hamilton: Words of Life: Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today. It can be tailored into a ten-week study, a six-week study, or even a five-week study. It can include a DVD if your group is interested using video clips for the lessons.
Words of Life by Adam Hamilton
Another option that you might consider is by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine called Entering the Passion of Jesus. This study is a “beginner’s guide to Holy Week” and brings together the robust scholarship of author/professor/Bible scholar Levine with the important texts in the Gospels covering the moments and encounters with Jesus during the final week leading up to the cross. This study is meant to be six weeks long and it also comes with a DVD.
Entering the Passion of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine
Another option for groups this Lent is On The Road to the Cross by Rob Burkhart. This 8-week study covers many different characters from the Bible and their interactions with Jesus. This exploration helps us see Jesus from various perspectives and helps us to understand the meaning of the Cross.
On the Road to the Cross by Rob Burkhart
Forgiveness is an important aspect of cleansing our hearts during the season of Lent. Marjorie J. Thompson shares a six-week Lenten study that is the perfect resource for examining both our ability to forgive and our own need for forgiveness. Forgiveness: A Lenten Study also includes an optional study guide.
Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie J. Thompson
Lent can also be a time of focusing upon the love of God for us. Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry’s book The Power of Love is an uplifting and inspiring study based upon five of his sermons including the sermon from the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. This can be a great option for a five-week study for classes wanting to know more about God’s love for each and every one of us as well as what it means for us to truly love all of our neighbors.
The Power of Love by Bishop Michael Curry
Easter is often understood to be a “mountaintop moment” for Christians as we understand that death has been defeated in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. A mountaintop moment is often a place where we encounter God’s love and grace in a powerful or memorable way. Ed Robb’s book, Mountaintop Moments: Meeting God in the High Places, covers many memorable mountaintop experiences in the Scripture and shows us how their lessons can be woven into our everyday lives. This is usually a six-week study and is great for groups.