Wallace SC&W                     Reflection Booklet for Lent               The Season of Lent (the 40 days, excluding Sundays before Easter) have traditionally been a time of reflection and spiritual growth for Christians.  Although spiritual growth needs to be a daily endeavor, Lent encourages us to give it extra attention as we prepare for the celebration of Easter.             This Reflection Booklet has been prepared to help with your spiritual growth during this special time of year.  It contains a scripture passage for each week (except for Holy Week which has more passages) which is to be read each day of that week.  There are also questions to stir your thoughts and lead you to action.  Hopefully these questions will be just the beginning of your reflection on what these passages have to say to you.                                                                Rev. Stephen Wallace   (If you would like the free printable word document of this booklet email me at swallacegs@aol.com)                                                     Week One: March 1-7, 2009               Week’s Theme: The Foundation to Build On                      Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-21                               Questions for Reflection   Sunday-What is dangerous about doing “acts of righteousness” before             others? Are you guilty of doing things for show?  If so what reward             were you looking for by doing these actions and what did you do?   Monday- At what times and in what ways do we need to be an example and let             others see our actions?  How does that need to be a “light” for others fit with this passage?   Tuesday- In verses 3 and 4 we are told to do things quietly to help others.             What actions have you quietly done this week to help others?   Wednesday- Read the Lord’s Prayer again line by line.  What do you think             about this prayer?  What does it reveal as the foundation of life? Is             there any part of it that is harder for you or that catches your             attention?   Thursday- In this prayer we ask for God’s will to be done.  What do you think             of when you hear of God’s will?  What do you feel? Are you             comfortable with what you perceive as God’s will for your life? Why?   Friday- In this passage we are caution against looking somber when we pray,             fast, or practice our faith.  Do you find your faith a burden or a joy?             Why? What would make it more joy filled?   Saturday- Where is your heart? What is the most precious thing in your life?             How does that fit with your faith?                     Week Two: March 8-14                 Week’s Theme: The Attitude of Trust                    Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13                         Questions for Reflection   Sunday-The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  What do you             need God to teach you?   Monday- To learn we have to be willing to listen. Are you listening to God?             Do you have time set aside to wait for the Lord to speak to you?   Tuesday- In this prayer we ask for our daily bread.  Do you trust God to be             around day in and day out to provide your daily “bread”? Are you             wanting not just today’s bread but a couple of week’s supply?   Wednesday- The story in verse 5 and following talks about how a friend             will not ignore a person’s for help.  Do you trust that God will not             tell you to just “go away” when you need help?   Thursday- “Do not bother me!”  Luke states that God does not feel that             way about us.  Do you feel like you are a nuisance to God?  Or do             you feel like God enjoys you and longs to be with you?   Friday- “Ask and it will be given you.”  What do you think this means?  Is it             alright to expect God to give anything that you desire?  Are you             asking for something that God  should say no to? If so why are you             asking for it?   Saturday- “Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door will be opened.”              What are you seeking for  in life right now?  What doors are you             knocking on? What door do you want or need God to open?                  Week Three: March 15-21, 2009                    Week’s Theme: The Attitude of Service                        Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:3-11                               Questions for Reflection   Sunday- In verse 3 Isaiah tells how the people raised questions about why             God had not paid attention to their fasting. Have you ever felt that             God was not paying attention?  Why might the Lord have felt far             away?   Monday- Isaiah warns against doing the “right” thing in some places but             then not living out God’s will in other ways.  Do you sometime say             one thing in place but  do another elsewhere? Where? Why?  How             does that affect your connection with God and your feelings about yourself?   Tuesday- Verse 5 questions what we believe God desires.  What do you think             God desires?  Do your actions and thoughts reflect that belief?   Wednesday- God desires that we “loose the chains of injustice”.  What             injustice do you see?  How do you hear God calling you to deal             with this situation?   Thursday- Isaiah tells us to care for the physical needs of others (vs.7).             What needs do you work to meet?  Is there anywhere else that you             feel God is calling you to help?   Friday- How have you seen your light “break forth like the dawn” and             healing quickly appear?  What past successes (or failures) help (or hurt)  you in dealing with present challenges?  How?   Saturday- Verse 11 promises that God will satisfy your needs even in a sun             scorched land.  Does knowing that help is available make it easier to             follow God’s call?  How?                               Week Four: March 22-28, 2009                       Week’s Theme: The Attitude of Growth                           Scripture Reading: Mark 4:1-20                              Questions for Reflection   Sunday- The parable talks about seed falling along the path and birds eating             it.  What is “eating” the seeds of opportunity in your life (e.g. spending too much time with the TV or video games)?  How can you deal with these problem “birds”?   Monday- Sometimes seeds are planted in rocky land where there is little soil             to nurture it.  It grows quickly at first but doesn’t last long.  Where are you on rocky land?  How can you find deeper soil to nourish you?   Tuesday- Thorns can kill plants in various ways (e.g. stealing nourishment,             choking its roots).  What thorns are next to you?  How are they             threatening your growth?  How can they be weeded out or protect             against?   Wednesday- Seeds can produce 30, 60, or even 100 times more than the             initial seed.  What seed(s) are bearing fruit in your life?  What seeds             have you planted which produced many times the initial investment?   Thursday- In verse 10 the disciples ask Jesus what he meant by this parable. Have you ever been confused by Scripture or something God wants from you?  Who can help answer the question(s) for you or where can you get help?   Friday- There is described by Mark people who see but never perceive, hear             but do not understand.  How do you respond when others hear but do             not understand Christ’s message or will?  How can you grow in             those situations?  Where might you not be understanding?   Saturday- As sowers of God’s seed it is easy to become discouraged when our             efforts do not produce fruit.  How does this passage give you encouragement for those times?  What does it say about why             some of our efforts fail?                                  Week Five: March 29-April 4               Week’s Theme: The Attitude of Obedience                         Scripture Reading: Romans 12                            Questions for Reflection   Sunday- Romans 12:1 calls for us to offer our body as a living sacrifice.             What does that mean to you? How might God want that to be done             this week?  Are you willing to offer yourself for God’s work? Why?   Monday- There is a tension between what God calls us to be and do and what the world encourages.  How do you conform to the world? What areas do you need to shift in order to be obedient to Christ instead of to the world? (vs.2)   Tuesday- We walk a tight rope between seeking a good self image and  encouraging a destructive false pride.  Paul tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than is right but to see ourselves honestly.  What strengths do you have?  Weaknesses?   Wednesday- Christ’s Body (e.g. his followers) has many members each with             special tasks it is called to do. At times we ignore what we are called             to do.  At other times we work to do things outside of our abilities and             skills.  It is vital to find our calling. What part of Christ’s Body are             you?  What talents and skills do you have to offer?   Thursday- Love is one of the most talked about subjects of our time.  Yet in             many situations it is a confused idea of love that is proclaimed.  In             your relationship with God and others do you find the kind of love             Paul describes?  How can you nurture it or develop it?   Friday- An attitude of obedience calls us to respond with love and mercy even             in times of persecution.  How do you feel put down? Are you treated             harshly because of your faith?  How can you respond in ways that             show love even in trying times?   Saturday- Paul tells us to rely upon God.  Our obedience depends upon             trusting the Lord with control of our life.  Are you willing to let God have charge of your life?  What needs to happen in order for that to be a reality?                     Holy Week: April 5-11, 2009                Week’s Theme: Christ’s Sacrifice and Hope   Palm Sunday-Read Luke 19: 28-40             How do you celebrate Jesus’ Lordship?  Is it something you get             excited about or is it something that feels heavy and unpleasant?             Why? What would lead you to shout praises and wave branches in             celebration of Jesus?   Monday- Read Luke 19:28-40 Jesus says that even if the crowd was silent the stones would  cry out.  How do you see nature pointing to God’s love for you?  How does that knowledge strengthen you?   Tuesday- Read Luke 20: 1-2             Jesus was questioned as to what authority he had to teach. In what             ways are you questioned about your faith?  How do you respond?              How do you question Christ’s authority?   Wednesday- Read Exodus 12: 1-4             When the Jews were in slavery in Egypt God sent Moses to bring             them freedom.  How does God bring you/us freedom?   Thursday- Read Luke 22: 7-23             Jesus gave us something to remember him by, to be strengthened by,             and to be guided by, in the Lord’s Supper. How does his sacrifice,             remembered in this ceremony, impact your life?  How can it bring             you strength, guidance, and joy?   Friday- Read Luke 23: 26-46             What feelings or thoughts does this passage raise for you? How             does knowing of the suffering and death of Jesus affect your view of             God, God’s hopes for us, and of life?   Saturday- Read Luke 23: 44-55             Jesus was dead and buried this day.  What feelings does that stir in             you?  What does it say about the hopeless situations you face in life?