Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent
Every Tuesday, from 02/20/2024 to 04/02/2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent
Tuesday Evenings, Feb 20 - Apr 2, In-Person 7:00pm - 8:30pm
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, selfgiving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent we will walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption.
These Seven Adult Forums tie the Easter Vigil readings to the seven practices of the Way of Love. You can learn more about the Way of Love at www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love.
Sessions:
Session One / TURN: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (Romans 6:3-11) As Christians, we are continually called to repent and be renewed in faith. This session introduces the Way of Love and invites participants to reflect on themes of repentance and the new life we have in Christ through baptism. Participants consider spiritual practices of turning away from the spiritual forces of evil and sin, and turn toward Christ.
Session Two / PRAY: Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-15:1) God’s people prayed throughout their Exodus from slavery in Egypt: The Israelites cried out to God; Moses cried out on behalf of the people; Miriam gave thanks with tambourines and dance. This session invites participants to learn and practice varieties of prayer.
Session Three / LEARN: Learn Wisdom and Live (Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6) As wisdom says: “My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.” This session will take a careful look at the gift of wisdom through the practice of reading Scripture. Participants will leave with a model for “holy reading.”
Session Four / BLESS: A New Heart and a New Spirit (Ezekiel 36:24-28) Blessed by God, we can bless others and bear new life in the world. This session examines the scriptural call to be freed from idols and given a new heart. Participants explore their ties to modern day “idols” (work, money, power, etc.) to see what practices can be transformed into blessings for the sake of the world.
Session Five / REST: The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) True sabbath time will help to restore us – body, mind, and soul – like the dry bones into which God breathes new life. This session explores the meaning of sabbath and the variety of ways to keep it. Participants commit to their own specific sabbath practice.
Session Six / WORSHIP: The Gathering of God’s People (Zephaniah 3:12-20) This session includes a clear call to worship God and give thanks for all God’s blessings. Participants try out practices designed to help them see the glory of God in all things, turning life itself into an act of worship.
Session Seven / GO: The Empty Tomb (Luke 24:1-12) On Easter morning, we go from the tomb into the world, ready to take up Jesus’ life and mission, and to share resurrection hope in our words and actions. This session invites participants to craft an action plan based on the Baptismal Covenant, and to discern how they could “GO” to join God’s mission of border-crossing, transformation, and healing.