As we walk through the season of Lent, we will craft and practice experiments in living a Jesus-shaped life. We live in the influence of a world teaching us to put ourselves first and seek our own safety, comfort, wealth above all else, but the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 teaches the way of Jesus is one of self-emptying, self-giving love. How can we engage the traditional practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as a way of opening ourselves to be formed by Jesus to be like Jesus for the sake of the world?
Week 1: Crafting our experiments
This week, we explored Philippians 2:1-11 and Paul’s instruction to have the same mind as Jesus, living a life of self-emptying, self-giving love. Then, we crafted experiments to practice this Lenten season.
Kingdom Practice
This week, let’s begin practicing our experiments. If you couldn’t be with us, we would encourage you to watch or listen to our time and craft an experiment. You can find the handout here. We also want to experiment together in community. You can form your own group for this experiment, or we would be happy to help you get connected. Whether you form a group or would like help, will you let us know here? This will allow us to send some reminders and help support you along the way.
Week 2: Fasting
This week, we considered the practice of fasting and how it softens our hearts to experience the hidden hunger and thirst for God in our lives.
Kingdom Practice
This week, let’s continue practicing our experiments. If you have not yet crafted an experiment, it is not too late to start. You may find it helpful to watch or listen to our first week as you plan your experiment. You can find the handout here. We also want to experiment together in community. You can form your own group for this experiment, or we would be happy to help you get connected. Whether you form a group or would like help, will you let us know here? This will allow us to send some reminders and help support you along the way.
Week 3: Almsgiving
This week, we considered the practice of almsgiving. The way of Jesus draws us into a life of practical, embodied love that doesn’t focus on our own gain but the good of those on the margins.
Kingdom Practice
This week, in addition to continuing our experiments, Casey invited us into two specific practices. Let’s together pray for an awareness of the suffering, poverty, and injustice in the world around us, and let’s intentionally set aside some of our time and/or resources for giving alms. If you are unsure about ways to do that, we have some possibilities below.
If you have not yet crafted an experiment, it is not too late to start. You may find it helpful to watch or listen to our first week as you plan your experiment. You can find the handout here. We also want to experiment together in community. You can form your own group for this experiment, or we would be happy to help you get connected. Whether you form a group or would like help, will you let us know here? This will allow us to send some reminders and help support you along the way.
Almsgiving Possibilities
If you have been unsure how you might give or serve as a part of your experiment, you might consider one of these worthy organizations.
Giving
Exodus World Service If you are interested in learning more about Exodus, consider checking out their banquet, Celebration of Hope April 3rd.
Feed My Starving Children
Fellowship Housing
Food for Greater Elgin
Refuge for Women
Royal Family
Serving
Exodus World Service (Heidi House)
Feed My Starving Children
Food for Greater Elgin
Royal Family Kids Camp
Royal Family Teen Camp
Week 4: Prayer
This week, we considered the practice of prayer. Rebecca invited us to consider the space from which we pray. How can we pray from a secure place of belonging, a place of resting in God’s love and delight in us? And how might this prayer free us to put others first and follow the way of Jesus in self-emptying, self-giving love?
Kingdom Practice
This week, let’s continue to practice our experiments. We are on the home stretch. I would encourage you to stay committed to your practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Pay attention to where you notice the Spirit at work and where you notice resistance. What are you learning about God, yourself, and your willingness to walk in the way of self-emptying, self-giving love?
If you have not crafted an experiment, make time in your schedule each day for prayer and pay particular attention to praying from a space of being one in whom God dwells and delights.
Additional Resources
Books
A More Christlike God by Brad Jersak
The Way Up Is Down by Marlena Graves
The Selfless Way of Christ by Henri Nouwen
Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
Lent by Esau McCaulley
Pauses for Lent by Trevor Hudson
The New Testament in Color edited by Esau McCaulley
Podcasts
A Conversation and Q&A on Prayer with Richard Foster
The Way Up is Down a Renovaré podcast with Marlena Graves
Fasting Is Feasting on God a Renovaré podcast with Mimi Dixon
Practices
The Baptism of Christ an imaginative prayer
The Two Standards an Ignatian Meditation with Father Michael
If you have a story to share about how you have been encountering God in this season, we would love to hear it!
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