Lent Questions & Answers
What is Lent? Lent is the 40-day season of reflecting and re-focusing on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ leading up to and preparing for the celebration of Christ’s glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Where does Lent come from? The word “Lent” had an original meaning of “spring” or “lengthen” (as in the lengthening of the days in springtime). In Greek and Latin, the words used to refer to the Christian holiday season of Lent mean “forty/fortieth” (referring to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before starting His public ministry that was characterized by sacrificial service; see Matthew 4 and Luke 4).
Do we have to observe Lent? No. It isn’t commanded in Scripture and it doesn’t necessarily make one more spiritual or holy to observe it.
Should some people refrain from observing Lent? Yes. Those who would observe Lent in a sinful way or out of sinful motivations should refrain from observing it.
Why observe Lent? Since it isn’t commanded, isn’t necessary, and can even be observed sinfully, the only reason why someone should observe Lent is as an act of worship to God, desiring spiritual benefits from their observance.
How can we observe Lent in the most God-honoring and spiritually beneficial way? As with any special day or season on the Christian calendar, the point is to increase and intensify our worship of Christ. There are nearly innumerable ways to do this. Whatever stretches our minds, stirs our affections, strengthens our faith, and solidifies our commitment to Christ is a worthy practice during Lent. But again, the primary focus of Lent is upon the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. In addition to the many ways we can observe Lent (e.g., Prayer; Fasting; Bible reading, studying, & memorizing; Books; Service; Family Worship focus on Holy Week; Worship Gatherings; Evangelism; Apologetics; Giving; Seeking conviction, confession, & repentance), this year we are encouraging all of our covenant members to read the Gospel of Matthew together as a church. Here is the reading schedule:
Scripture Readings:
- Day 1 – Matt. 1
- Day 2 – Matt. 2
- Day 3 – Matt. 3
- Day 4 – Matt. 4
- Day 5 – Matt. 5:1-20
- Day 6 – Matt. 5:21-48
- Day 7 – Matt. 6:1-18
- Day 8 – Matt. 6:19-34
- Day 9 – Matt. 7
- Day 10 – Matt. 8
- Day 11 – Matt. 9:1-17
- Day 12 – Matt. 9:18-38
- Day 13 – Matt. 10
- Day 14 – Matt. 11:1-24
- Day 15 – Matt. 11:25-12:14
- Day 16 – Matt. 12:15-50
- Day 17 – Matt. 13:1-35
- Day 18 – Matt. 13:36-58
- Day 19 – Matt. 14
- Day 20 – Matt. 15:1-20
- Day 21 – Matt. 15:21-39
- Day 22 – Matt. 16:1-12
- Day 23 – Matt. 16:13-28
- Day 24 – Matt. 17:1-13
- Day 25 – Matt. 17:14-27
- Day 26 – Matt. 18
- Day 27 – Matt. 19:1-12
- Day 28 – Matt. 19:13-30
- Day 29 – Matt. 20
- Day 30 – Matt. 21:1-22
- Day 31 – Matt. 21:23-22:14
- Day 32 – Matt. 22:15-46
- Day 33 – Matt. 23
- Day 34 – Matt. 24
- Day 35 – Matt. 25
- Day 36 – Matt. 26:1-46
- Day 37 – Matt. 26:47-75
- Day 38 – Matt. 27:1-54
- Day 39 – Matt. 27:55-28:15
- Day 40 – Matt. 28:16-20