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708 W. Summit Ave, San Antonio, Texas

All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the NASB Bible

unless otherwise noted.

www.theparksa.org
 Introduction to Lent
The season of Lent finds its roots in the early 2nd-century church. The Lenten
season is 40 days in which the church reflects on the life and death of Jesus. The 40
days of Lent reflect the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan
(Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13). 

Lent is a season where we put our distractions on airplane mode to better focus
on the way of Jesus. While we walk through this season of Lent, let us be quick to
confess our sins and our shortcomings. Let us pray more. Let us read the Word of
God more. Let us mourn our brokenness and sinful nature, for which Jesus died
on a cross. But let us hold fast to the truth that He has defeated death through his
resurrection.

All of Lent points toward Easter Sunday, in which we celebrate Jesus’ victory over
death. This Lenten journey is one of sacrifice and sober mindedness, but it is also
one of certainty and joy. We worship a God who is victorious. While we live in
the tension of the “now and not yet,” we commit to a season of forgoing our own
personal comforts to seek the love and edification of the church.

In this guide, you will find devotionals, prayers, and other supplements for your
personal time with the Lord. 

It is our prayer that this Lenten season draws us into a closer walk with the Father.
We pray that the Spirit moves to enables us to act boldly and speak authoritatively.
We pray that we can experience the presence of the Son. We pray that the kingdom
will come on earth as it is in heaven.

Find a digital copy of this devotional guide

as well as additional resources at:

theparksa.org/lent
 Ash Wednesday
February 17th

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19

Ash Wednesday traditionally marks the beginning of the Lenten

season. From the ashes of the previous year’s Palm Sunday
branches, Christians over the centuries have been marked with
a cross on their foreheads. As we receive this mark, we hear
the words spoken over us, “you are dust, and to dust you shall
return” (Gen 3:19). In this act, we are reminded of the frailty and
mortality of our bodies; that our days are numbered in this world
(Ps 90:12). This body that God has given us, through which our
spirit experiences Him, through which we share His love with
those around us, came from the earth, and will return to it one
day. It is in this place of humility, we move toward Him again, and
open up space for His love to transform us.

Ash Wednesday Services

We will have online services this year for

Ash Wednesday.

Join us on Facebook, YouTube or

theparksa.org
8:00 am & 12:00 pm
DAILY OFFICE INTRO
The Daily Office is a practice that has been a part of Christian life since the
beginning, and it continues to this day. It grew out of a Jewish tradition of prayer
rooted in Psalm 119:164 (“I praise you seven times a day…”), and the book of
Acts notes that “their prayers” were an important part of the early church’s
practice: “The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the
community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.” Acts 2:42 (CEB). So
when we pray these prayers, we are joining our voices with the Church around
the world as well as the Church throughout history.

The Daily Office provides us with a way to meditate on scripture in our daily
lives. We all agree that we need to pray, but many of us struggle to be consistent
in our prayer lives. Some of us find that we run out of things to say, others of us
have been limited in our understanding of what prayer is. We may have been
taught that prayer is just “talking to God,” and it is that, but it is not *only* that.
Prayer is so much more.

In this Daily Office, we incorporate several types of prayer: Psalms, written

prayers given to us by the Church, contemplative prayer, and extemporaneous
prayer. The driving desire behind praying in this way is the recognition that
prayer is formational. Our prayers and our worship are not just expressions of
beliefs that we already hold. They actually inform and shape our beliefs. This
means we should pray not just what we can think of (that will only make us
more of who we already are!), but we should pray things given to us in scripture
and by the Church. Praying the same prayers that Jesus himself prayed (the
Psalms), will help form us into the image of Christ.

HOW DO I PRAY THE DAILY OFFICE?

The Daily Office is set up so that there’s no “catching up” to do. This is not a
reading plan, it’s a form of prayer, so if you miss a day, just pick up on the next
one! There are just two things you’ll need. The first is in your hand, and the
second is a Bible or The Park App. The Daily Office is on the following page of
this guide. The Psalm of the Day, scripture reading for the day, and the prayer
for the week are listed on the third page for each week and can also be found
on The Park App.

There’s no “wrong” way to pray the Daily Office, so jump in and get started!
Establish a regular time and place to help you get into a prayerful state of mind
more consistently. When praying individually, you will say everything listed in
the Office. When praying in community, only the leader says all the written text.
Everyone will say only the bold text.

Listen to an audio example guiding you through the first day’s Daily Office on
our website, theparksa.org/lent
Daily Office
a prayer liturgy for every day
For an audio example of how to pray the Daily Office, visit theparksa.org/lent

PREPARATION
Holy One, in whom we live and move and breathe,
—open our lips, and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Draw us into your love, Christ Jesus — and deliver us from fear.

Psalm 95:1-7

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Draw us into your love, Christ Jesus — and deliver us from fear.

THE WORD OF GOD

Psalm of the Day {listed in each week’s devotional}

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Draw us into your love, Christ Jesus — and deliver us from fear.

Scripture Reading of the Day {listed in each week’s devotional}

Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, for we have sinned.
—Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, for we have sinned.
You have redeemed us, God of truth;
—have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us for we have sinned.

GOSPEL DECLARATION
Luke 1:46-55 | The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

THE PRAYERS
—For family
—For the church
—For the world and its needs
—What else would you like to pray for today?
—What are you grateful for today?

Sacred Silence
—Spend just a couple of minutes in silence, listening for God.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Week {listed in each week’s devotional}

CONCLUSION
May the peace of Christ go with you,
—wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness
—protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing
—at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing
—once again into our doors.
Week One | Died with Christ
February 21st - 27th

Reading
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know
that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized
into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism
into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the
Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united
with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of
His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order
that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be
slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again;
death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to
sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider
yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,
and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments
of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be
master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:1-14

“When Christ calls a man, he bids

him come and die”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 week 1
Devotional
by Chris Nikkel

We often read the language of life and death as we do other words and phrases.
They are just moments and events that happen with little fanfare. We can lose
sight of just how amazing living life is while also acknowledging the pain and loss
in death.

The scriptures tell us in 2 Corinthians 5 that we are new creations in Christ. This
is the wonderful news of the gospel when we turn to Jesus by faith and ask for
forgiveness of our sins. What we don’t often reflect on in this new creation we
experience is that it comes by way of death. Yes, you read that right: death. We are
alive today in Christ because of His death on the cross and resurrection from the
dead. However, here is the part we can often miss: when Jesus died, those who have
later placed their faith in Him died with Him.

Paul describes it like this in Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who
have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried
therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from
the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

We have died with Christ and now live with Him. The sin that once entangled
and enslaved humanity now has been defeated for those who are in Christ. The
implications of this are incredible. Paul goes on to elaborate that we don’t have to
present ourselves, or simply give in to, sin but rather can now in freedom and joy
present ourselves to God. He emphatically states to the church in Romans 6:12-
13: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present
yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your
members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

We have died and been buried with Christ and by faith now live in Him. What a
truth to remember today!
week 1

Discussion
As we enter the season of Lent, would you consider and act upon how
the Lord would lead you to present yourself to Him?

In what areas does sin attempt to reign in you though you are dead to it
and alive to Christ?

Where in your life do you need something to die in order to live in Christ?

The following prayer and scripture readings are provided for use using the Daily Office
found in the beginning of this guide. You may also use them as stand alone readings
and prayer.

Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with
all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and
the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we
probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know
you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your
eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture
Day Psalm Gospel

Sunday Psalm 103 John 12:44-50

Monday Psalm 44 Mark 1:1-13
Tuesday Psalm 47, 48 Mark 1:14-28
Wednesday Psalm 49 Mark 1:29-45
Thursday Psalm 50 Mark 2:1-12
Friday Psalm 51 Mark 2:13-22
Saturday Psalm 55 Mark 2:23--3:6
 week 1

Praxis
Fast from something this week. Choose something simple and use the void
that fasting creates remind you of life in Christ.

Reflection
As you read and pray this week, journal what you have heard from God.
Week Two | Inwardly Being Renewed
February 28th - March 6th

Reading
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but
we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or
adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves
to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled
to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds
of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of
Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord,
and ourselves as your bond-servants [d]for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall
shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the
power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but
not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered
over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I
spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord
Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your
sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the
giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner
man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us
an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are
temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4
 week 2

Devotional
by Mike DeFrees

As the years pass by, the more these verses become a reality. Bodily decay is ever
on display through shortened endurance, greater difficulty in shedding those
pesky extra pounds, and hair loss/graying. Paul says this is the unnatural order of
things as a result of the fall, which occurred way back in Genesis.

But, thanks be to God! While we still suffer physically from the fall, God in His
wisdom, sent His Son to reverse the curse on humanity through His life, death,
resurrection and ascension. Spiritual renewal is not like physical decay as it does
not come naturally or without great effort, practice and discipline.

Placing faith in Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit are the starting point for
inward renewal, not the completion. Scripture calls this process sanctification.
Sanctification is the slow and steady renewing work of God in our lives. If we allow
Him, He will methodically and consistently whittle away the remnants of our sin
nature and replace it with the fruit of His Spirit.

In another sense, spiritual and physical renewal are similar in that they both
require a plan, time commitment and accountability. You cannot decide one day
to run a marathon and then go run it that evening, just as you cannot decide
to perfectly bear Christ’s image one day and accomplish it the next. Living into
eternal transformation and renewal is a continuous, life-long work.

Though our outer person is

decaying, yet our inner person is
being renewed day by day.
week 2

Discussion

What practices will you engage this season to allow the Holy Spirit
to renew your inner being?

Who will you invite along on your journey for encouragement and
accountability?

Is there a physical activity or goal you need to commit to for

renewal as well?

The following prayer and scripture readings are provided for use using the Daily
Office found in the beginning of this guide. You may also use them as stand alone
readings and prayer.

Prayer
Journey with us, O holy God,
as we continue our way to the cross.
Sharpen our focus, that our attention
may center more on you than ourselves.
Lead us through the shadows of darkness and prepare our hearts,
that we might be a people of prayer,
ready to perceive and respond to your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
In his name we pray. Amen.

Scripture
Day Psalm Gospel
Sunday Psalm 24, 29 John 5:19-24
Monday Psalm 56, 57 Mark 3:7-19a
Tuesday Psalm 61, 62 Mark 3:19b-35
Wednesday Psalm 72 Mark 4:1-20
Thursday Psalm 70, 71 Mark 4:21-34
Friday Psalm 73 Mark 4:35-41
Saturday Psalm 75, 76 Mark 5:1-20
 week 2

Praxis
Lectio Divina is a practice of praying scripture. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. In-
stead of trying to study of exegete the passage, listen to what the Holy Spirit is
saying through God’s Word. Meditate or wonder about the Word in a time of
silence where you think of nothing but what you read. Read the passage again
as a prayer. Read it a last time and then speak to God about what it is you read
that impacted your heart and mind. Journal about what stood out, what you
want to say to God, and what His response is.

Reflection
As you read and pray this week, journal what you have heard from God.
Week Three | Live by the Spirit
March 7th - 13th

Reading
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into
an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole
Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not
consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things
that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now
the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,
dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,
of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice
such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-
control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful,
challenging one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:13-26

IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, LET

US ALSO WALK BY THE SPIRIT.
 week 3

Devotional
by Des Leiloglou

What does it mean to “Live by the Spirit and not by our flesh”? First of all, the fact is that
if you have received Jesus’ free gift of eternal life by putting your full and complete
trust in Him, then you have the Holy Spirit living in you. You cannot help but be open
and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s influence. This means that you are living your life
actively patterning yourself with the Holy Spirit’s influence.

How do we know if we are living by the Holy Spirit’s influence? We can tell because
we start to look, to act, and to love a lot like Jesus. We will never reach perfection or
sinlessness., but we will surprise even ourselves at how we will love, how we will gain
courage, and how we will serve and so, so, much more. When we walk in the Holy
Spirit we begin to listen to what He is saying and where He is guiding us, this path is
the path and nature of Jesus.

If we are living by the Spirit then we cannot fulfill the lust of the flesh. These two things
cannot coexist. “The Holy Spirit doesn’t move in us to gratify our fallen desires and
passions, but to teach us about Jesus and to guide us in the path of Jesus.” (David Guzik)
The way we live righteously is to walk in the Spirit, not live under the domination of
laws that we or others want to put upon us. Its true that there are many things of this
world that tempt our flesh, and I do not just mean sexual desires. There are many
desires that want to deceive you into thinking that “they aren’t so bad”…like pride,
hatred, covetousness, being impatient (just to name a few). If we are walking with the
Spirit, we can see a little bit more clearly those sins in us and we can quickly access His
help to fight. Because of the New Covenant that is Jesus Christ we have instant access
to power, help, renewal and forgiveness.

As Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The fruit of the Spirit can
always conquer the works of the flesh; this fruit cannot be gained by working rather
they are developed by our obedience in abiding. If our lives look like a stumbling, hot
mess of a person taking a few steps only to fall down and allow the Spirit to pick them
back up, to ask for forgiveness and allow course correction…this is what God desires
and is the raw materials used in each of us to produce that precious fruit that is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
week 3

Discussion
Do you believe that the Spirit is living in you? If you don’t know or
are unsure, would consider taking some time right now to bring that
thought to the Lord? Ask Him to help you with your uncertainty and
doubt.

The fruit of the Spirit is not something that we must manufacture,

instead it is produced in us by the Spirit when we are abiding in Christ.
Read though the fruits of the Spirit and ask yourself if you see those
fruits being produced in yourself. If not, pray and ask the Spirit to work
in you to produce those fruits.

The following prayer and scipture readings are provided for use using the Daily
Office found in the beginning of this guide. You may also use them as stand alone
readings and prayer.

Prayer
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture
Day Psalm Gospel

Sunday Psalm 93, 96 John 5:25-29

Monday Psalm 80 Mark 5:21-43
Tuesday Psalm 78:1-39 Mark 6:1-13
Wednesday Psalm 119:97-120 Mark 6:13-29
Thursday Psalm 42, 43 Mark 6:30-46
Friday Psalm 88 Mark 6:47-56
Saturday Psalm 87, 90 Mark 7:1-23
 week 3

Praxis
As part of your Lenten journey, would you take a moment each day to look for
the fruit of the Spirit in a brother or sister in Christ around you? Speak or write
a word of encouragement to them.

Reflection
As you read and pray this week, journal what you have heard from God.
Week Four | Saved by Grace
March 14th - 20th

Reading
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power
of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the
desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath,
even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with
which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us
alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up
with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so
that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace
in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result
of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we
would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

We need to be saved by grace and not

by our own merit, because we would fall
short every single time.
 week 4

Devotional
by Lindsey Frey

How does the term “saved by grace” make you feel? It’s a beautiful concept, and an
even more beautiful truth. That God being “rich in mercy” as Ephesians 2 tells us,
made us alive in Him purely by His grace. We know it’s true, and yet, we still try to
earn it ourselves. Why?

Well the truth is, it feels really good to be able to feel responsible for our righteousness
in Christ. When we fully accept that it is not by our works, but by faith, which is a
“gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8) we have to also accept that we were hopeless and
dead in our sin without Him, and that’s a bitter pill for most of us. Read through
Ephesians 2:1-3 and pause for a moment to consider the reality that outside of the
work of Christ on the cross we are “objects of wrath”.That’s not a fun term to relate
to is it?

Our love of feeling like we earned it is precisely why we aren’t saved by our works -
“so that no one can boast” as Ephesians 2:9 says. God knows us! He knows our hearts.
He knows our inclinations. And He knows we need a Savior. We need to be saved
by grace and not by our own merit, because we would fall short every single time.

So here’s the question… Do we live like we are saved because of good works, or to
do those good works? We all know the right answer, it’s spelled out in scripture.
But what do our lives say? We are made alive in Christ TO pray, serve, worship, fast,
give… not BECAUSE we do all those things.

Live into this Lenten season because you are already fully alive in Christ by the
beautiful gift of His grace; because His goodness and the “kindness to us in Christ
Jesus” compells you to. Rest in knowing the saving work has been done, and let your
good works simply show the love of Christ to the world around you, not try to earn
it.
week 4

Discussion
We are saved by grace to do good works. How does the fact that we are
saved before ever doing good influence the way we act?

It is a difficult balance to be about doing good works and never boasting

in your own goodness. In what ways can you continue in good works
while also remaining humble and thankful for God’s saving grace?

You are God’s workmanship created for good works! What ways have
you been uniquely created to do good? What talents and gifts do you
have that you should give to the Lord?

The following prayer and scipture readings are provided for use using the Daily Office
found in the beginning of this guide. You may also use them as stand alone readings
and prayer.

Prayer
Everlasting God,
fountain of all life and the true home of every heart:
our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
Yet we confess that our hearts have been enslaved
by selfish passion and base desire.
We have sought after many things
and have neglected the one thing needful.
We have not loved you with our whole hearts;
help us to turn to you and find forgiveness.
Lead us home, that we may again find in you
our life and joy and peace. Amen.

Scripture
Day Psalm Gospel

Sunday Psalm 66, 67 John 6:27-40

Monday Psalm 89:1-18 Mark 7:24-37
Tuesday Psalm 97, 99 Mark 8:1-10
Wednesday Psalm 101 Mark 8:11-26
Thursday Psalm 69 Mark 8:27--9:1
Friday Psalm 102 Mark 9:2-13
Saturday Psalm 107:33-43 Mark 9:14-29
 week 4
Praxis
Consider the ways you have been uniquely created to do good works. Make
a plan to actively serve others this week with the gifts you have been given.

Reflection
As you read and pray this week, journal what you have heard from God.
Week Five | Fullness in Christ
March 21st - 27th

Reading
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having
been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith,
just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of
the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity
dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the
head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a
circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by
the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which
you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who
raised Him from the dead.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of

your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our
transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees
against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having
nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He
made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Colossians 2:6-15

For in Him all the

fullness of Deity dwells
in bodily form
 week 5

Devotional
by Kinsey Smith

Do you see your life through the lens of the cross?

Our Father in Heaven has given us a gift unmatchable - perfect love; Jesus Christ. He
is a love that see us and knows us (in all our imperfection), and has FORGIVEN us.
What a love it is!

“He erased the certificate of debt...that was against us... and has taken it away by nailing
it to the cross.”

If we read a bit further, we see that Paul asks why we live as if the world still had power
over us. It is easy to move from day to day, keeping our eyes on the business that too
often consumes our thoughts. It is far more difficult to live, daily “overflowing with
gratitude” that we have been made ALIVE in Christ. We are children of the Most High!
Fullness in Him is our eternal promise.

This shepherd King is singing over us, reminding us of who we are and whose we are.
In John 12, He tells us “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes
in me would not remain in darkness.” Let us live in the light of His glory and grace,
lifting our eyes to the One who has raised us from the dead.

Christ has overcome the world, and even more so, Christ has forgiven the world. That
truth is one worth sharing. We are being called into deeper waters - to live as Jesus
lived, to forgive as He forgave, and to love as He loved. It sounds simple, but the
answer is always Jesus. This Lenten season, let us turn our attention to the cross, and
step into the freedom God has so graciously given us. And let us sing, together as one:

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus
You can have all of this world
But give me Jesus

May that be the cry of our hearts. May we live knowing that we are made new and
whole in our sweet Savior. And may we fully believe that the same Spirit that raised
Christ from the dead is within us, giving us purpose, promise and abundant life.
week 5

Discussion

How do you view God the father? This passage says it clearly that Jesus
is what God looks like. Do you get a fuller picture of God when you see
Him revealed in Jesus?

Jesus has “diarmed the rulers and authorities” which means evil and
sin and death. They no longer have any power over believers, despite
how we might feel sometimes. How does Jesus’ power of “the powers”
change your daily life?

The following prayer and scipture readings are provided for use using the Daily Office
found in the beginning of this guide. You may also use them as stand alone readings
and prayer.

Prayer
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
you gave us your Son,
the beloved one who was rejected,
the Savior who appeared defeated.
Yet the mystery of his kingship illumines our lives.
Show us in his death the victory that crowns the ages,
and in his broken body the love that unites heaven and earth.
We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture
Day Psalm Gospel

Sunday Psalm 118 John 8:46-59

Monday Psalm 31 Mark 9:30-41
Tuesday Psalm 121-123 Mark 9:42-50
Wednesday Psalm 119:145-176 Mark 10:1-16
Thursday Psalm 131, 132 Mark 10:17-31
Friday Psalm 22 Mark 10:32-45
Saturday Psalm 144 Mark 10:46-52
 week 5

Praxis
Practice the Examen every day this week. The Examen is a practice for paying
attention to God’s presence in your life: reflect on God’s presence; review
your day in a spirit of gratitude; become aware of your emotions before God;
pray over one feature of your day; and then intentionally look forward to
tomorrow. This practice can become a healthy rhythm for your spiritual life
and relationship with God. 

At the end of your day, take some time to reflect on the things that you did
and said throughout your daily routines. What were your attitudes, behaviors,
and character weaknesses? Where did you notice God’s presence? How did
you you interact with other people? Pray over a part of your day and ask God
to prepare you in new ways for tomorrow.

Reflection
As you read and pray this week, journal what you have heard from God.
Week Six | Holy Week
March 28th - April 4th

Introduction
Holy Week is the most significant week of the year for those of us who
follow Jesus. During this week we remember the events of Christ’s passion
and death. We trace the daily steps of Jesus during the final days before his
death and burial. This week is set aside as a sacred time where each day leads
toward Easter Sunday morning.

In the early church, each day of Holy Week consisted of reenactments of

events, continual prayers, hymns, and readings. The Church body gathered
together daily, with gatherings sometimes spanning the entire day. On the
day of Judas’ betrayal, for instance, worshipers would groan and mourn in
tears. There was such an experience of walking with Christ during this week
that their hearts were wholly prepared for Easter Sunday morning.

During this week we will continue in the Daily Office rhythm while reading
and reflecting each day on the events that took place on that particular day.
We want to prepare our hearts uniquely to long for Resurrection Sunday.

During this week consider fasting.

We invite you to join us on Good Friday at noon for a live streamed service
of scripture reading, singing, and prayer.

Jesus Curses Temple Plot to Betray

Fig Tree Controversies and Arrest
Mark 11:12-14 Mark 11:27 - 12:44 Mark 14:1-2, 10-11

Palm Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Triumphal Entry Clears the Fig Tree Olivet Discourse Woman

Mark 11:1-11 Temple Withered Mark 13:1-37 Anoints Jesus
Mark 11:15-19 Mark 11:20-25 Mark 14:3-9
 Holy Week

March 28th | Palm Sunday

Psalm 24, 29 | Mark 11:1-11
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the
Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the
village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied,
on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why
are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here
immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in
the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them,
“What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had
said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their
cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and
others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who
went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our
father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

The “Triumphal Entry” is somewhat of an ironic name when you think about
it. The adoring crowds waved palm branches and were whipped into a frenzy
of excitement because they believed that Jesus was entering Jerusalem
to become their king who would overthrow the Roman government and
restore their land. Less than a week later this same crowd would once again
be whipped into a frenzy calling for him to be crucified. The irony is that the
crucifixion is the enthronement Jesus intended all along. “And I, when I am
lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)
Prayer Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Last Supper Betrayal & Arrest Crucifixion Silence Resurrection

Mark 14:12-31 Mark 14:43-50 Mark 15:16-39 Mark 16:1-8

Thursday Friday Saturday Easter Sunday

Garden of Trials
Gethsemane Mark 14:53 Burial
Mark 14:32-42 -15:15 Mark 15:40-47
Holy Week
Monday, March 29th | Cursing of the Fig Tree
Psalm 51 | Mark 11:12-25
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And
seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything
on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the
season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
And his disciples heard it.

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive
out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned
the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And
he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall
be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den
of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a
way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished
at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its
roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that
you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly,
I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into
the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will
come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in
prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever
you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your
Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark sandwiches the cleansing of the temple with the story of the cursing of
the fig tree. It is no accident that he does this. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple
was an indictment on the ineffective ministry in the temple. It was no longer
a “house of prayer for all nations” but was a place more concerned with
money. The work of tired and worn out religion was not producing fruit,
and so it was cursed so that no one would eat fruit from it again. Instead of
considering yourself in the position of Jesus or the disciples, consider that
you are of the established religion.

What are you concerned with. Are you producing fruit?

 Holy Week
Tuesday, March 30th | Olivet Discourse
Psalm 6, 12 | Mark 13:1-37
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher,
what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do
you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that
will not be thrown down.”

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John
and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will
be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to
say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors
of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation
will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in
various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be
beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake,
to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand
what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who
speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the
father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the
end will be saved.

From the Mount of Olives, the temple is a prominent spectacle located directly
across from Jesus and his disciples. Jesus is prophesying both about the destruction
of the temple in 70 AD and also the future day when he will return again. Both
of these concepts would have been strange and foreign to the disciples listening
there on the mountain top.

What we know now is that not only was the Temple destroyed but that according
to historian Josephus, 1.1 million Jewish people were killed during this conflict
against the Roman Empire. To the Hebrew people, this seemed to be the end of
the world.

The warnings given by Jesus are graphic and disturbing. Put yourself in the shoes
of the disciples. How would you react to being told the world you know is about
to be destroyed? Not only that, but that the man who is leading you and that you
love dearly is going to leave you? This is not what they were hoping for.
Holy Week
Wednesday, March 31st | Betrayal
Psalm 55 | Mark 14:1-11

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the
chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for
they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at
table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and
she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves
indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have
been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded
her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful
thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can
do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she
has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gos-
pel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to
betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him
money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Mark presents us with a stark contrast of narratives. On the one hand, we have Judas,
and on the other, we have the woman who anoints his head with precious oil. Judas is
the disciple who was put in charge of the money. This extravagant act of love that was
broken and spilled out on Jesus was the impetus for Judas finally deciding to betray
Jesus.

As strange as it may sound, in practical terms Judas wasn’t wrong. This money would
certainly have helped the poor. Jesus was on his way to a violent death at the hands
of the government. Now was indeed an excellent time to find a way out and to make
some money out of it at the same time.

But we know that Judas chose wrong. The heart of Jesus isn’t about practicality, but
about love and sacrifice for others.

We are often more like Judas than like the woman who poured out an extravagant
gift of love on Jesus. Today contemplate how you are prone to react like Judas.
 Holy Week
Thursday, April 1st | The Last Supper
Psalm 102 | Mark 14:17-25

And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table
and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating
with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He
said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.
For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son
of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to
them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given
thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my
blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink
again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

This Last Supper was also the first Eucharist.

Only one day before his death, Jesus took the time to institute an act that, when
combined with his death and resurrection, has become an act of worship that has
been carried throughout church history.

As Jesus shared this meal with his disciples, he was not only speaking to them. He was
speaking to you. The Son of God was declaring his love for you. He knew the death he
was about to die, and still, he marched towards the cross.

On this Thursday, as you eat dinner, do so in remembrance of Him.

Jesus never slept this evening. Instead, he went and prayed in the Garden of
Gethsemane. Before you go to bed remember read Mark 14:32-42 and then pray the
following prayer:

Father in heaven,
your son, Jesus, prayed in the garden of Gethsemane,
seeking to understand what you were asking him to do.
Help us to pray,
to persevere in discovering the thing you call us to do with our lives.
Give us the strength and courage to follow your calling
whatever the cost,
when we feel alone or betrayed,
afraid or helpless.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Week
Friday, April 2nd | Good Friday Join us for noon service online.
Psalm 22 | Mark 14:32 - 15:45

Father in heaven,
today we look on Jesus your son,
stripped and humiliated,
scourged and crowned with thorns,
mocked and spat upon,
betrayed and led out to be nailed to a tree.
Yet this man
takes upon himself our sins,
our faults,
our failings,
and gives us new life
in his resurrection.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Saturday, April 3rd | Holy Saturday

Psalm 88 | Romans 8:1-11
There are no accounts of anything that happened on Saturday. Imagine what it
must have felt like to be a disciple of Jesus. You are in shock. All hope is lost. Jesus
is dead. What will you do now? Where will you go?
Father in heaven,
when we cannot find you,
and are not sure that you are there,
give us faith.
Let us understand that you are always faithful,
always present,
holding us and sustaining us,
even in the darkest moments when all seems hopeless and lost,
and death surrounds us.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Sunday, April 4th | Resurrection Sunday

Join us in person or online at 10 am to celebrate Jesus’
resurrection from the dead. He has defeated sin and death and
has been raised victoriously. He is risen!
theparksa.org