Your Faith Journey 75

Sometimes we do not recognize God’s presence and work in our lives. When two disciples were walking and talking with the resurrected Jesus as they traveled to the village of Emmaus, eventually Christ was “at the table with them,” yet they did not know it was Jesus (Luke 24:30). While they were with him for a meal, Jesus “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Luke 24:30-31 NIV). Look for ways that Christ is present with you this week. As you search for the Lord’s presence and work in your life, you are invited to use this Your Faith Journey Guide as a weekly checklist to help you love God, yourself, and others daily (Mark 12:29-31). You can download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website:

www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:


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Your Faith Journey 74

The journey for Jesus’ first-century disciples wasn’t over when they encountered their resurrection Savior. It ushered in a new beginning. Discipleship is a life-long journey of walking with Christ towards maturity and unity with other believers for the sake of the world. “Maturity” means becoming more like Christ. During the coming weeks as we continue walking by faith as we follow the resurrected Jesus, we’re leaving our fears behind as we take daily steps to love God, self, and others. You are invited to use this Your Faith Journey Guide as a weekly checklist to help you remain on the path of the abundant life Christ offers (John 10:10).
The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

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Your Faith Journey 73

Just as the journey wasn’t over for Jesus’ first-century disciples after Resurrection Sunday, our faith journey is far from over. Discipleship is a life-long journey of walking with Christ towards maturity and unity with other believers for the sake of the world. “Maturity” means becoming more like Christ. To do that, we have to know what Jesus taught, did, and commanded. Christ explained that of the 613 commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures, that loving God with our Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength is most important. But he also included the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” along with it (Mark 12:31). During the coming weeks as we continue walking by faith as we follow the resurrected Jesus, we’re leaving our fears behind as we take daily steps to love God, self, and others. You are invited to use the Your Faith Journey section of the Worship Guide as a weekly checklist to help you remain on the path of the abundant life Christ offers (John 10:10). You can download the April 19th Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website:

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Your Faith Journey 72

Develop as a Disciple – You are invited to walk closely with Jesus during the final week of the Lenten season as we continue the journey with Christ focusing on the final week of his life. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
4/5 – Pray. Read Mark 11:1-11, then pray in response to what you read.
4/6 – Mark 11:12-19
4/7 – Mark 11:20-12:44
4/8 – Mark 13:1-14:11
4/9 – Mark 14:12-72
4/10 – Mark 15
4/11 – Seek a quiet place to sit and “Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him,” as you reflect upon the journey with Christ through the past week and Lenten season (Psalm 37:7 NRSV). Let your heart and mind anticipate the celebration of his resurrection tomorrow morning.
For a complete version of the Gospel of Mark reading plan for Lent 2020 visit the church website www.AvonUMC.com.


Your Faith Journey 71

Develop as a Disciple – Lent is a season of 40 days of focus on Christ and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. The season begins on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and ends on the Saturday (4/11) before Easter. You are encouraged to observe the Lenten season through Worship and Prayer, Giving Something Up, Spending Time with God, Serving, or Practicing Lent Together. As you “Give Time to God” each day, consider reading through Mark’s account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection using the weekly Bible reading plan below. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
3/30 – Pray. Read Mark 9:14-32, then pray in response to what you read.
3/31 – Mark 9:33-50
4/1 – Mark 10:1-12
4/2 – Mark 10:13-16
4/3 – Mark 10:17-31
4/4 – Read Mark 10:32-45 in the morning. Read Mark 10:46-52 in the evening.
For a complete version of the Gospel of Mark reading plan for Lent 2020 visit the church website www.AvonUMC.com.
If you do not own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 70

Develop as a Disciple – Lent is a season of 40 days of focus on Christ and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. The season begins on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and ends on the Saturday (4/11) before Easter. You are encouraged to observe the Lenten season through Worship and Prayer, Giving Something Up, Spending Time with God, Serving, or Practicing Lent Together. As you “Give Time to God” each day, consider reading through Mark’s account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection using the weekly Bible reading plan below. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
3/23 – Pray. Read Mark 8:1-13, then pray in response to what you read.
3/24 – Mark 8:14-21
3/25 – Mark 8:22-26
3/26 – Mark 8:27-30
3/27 – Mark 8:31-9:1
3/28 – Mark 9:2-13
For a complete version of the Gospel of Mark reading plan for Lent 2020 visit the church website www.AvonUMC.com.
If you do not own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 69

Develop as a Disciple – Lent is a season of 40 days of focus on Christ and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. The season begins on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and ends on the Saturday (4/11) before Easter. You are encouraged to observe the Lenten season through Worship and Prayer, Giving Something Up, Spending Time with God, Serving, or Practicing Lent Together with your spouse, friends, or small group. As you “Give Time to God” each day, consider reading through Mark’s account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection using the weekly Bible reading plan below. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
3/16 – Pray. Read Mark 6:14-29, then pray in response to what you read.
3/17 – Mark 6:30-44
3/18 – Mark 6:45-56
3/19 – Mark 7:1-23
3/20 – Mark 7:24-30
3/21 – Mark 7:31-37
For a complete version of the Gospel of Mark reading plan for Lent 2020 visit the church website.
If you do not own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 68

Develop as a Disciple – Lent is a season of 40 days of focus on Christ and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. The season begins on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and ends on the Saturday (4/11) before Easter. You are encouraged to observe the Lenten season through Worship and Prayer, Giving Something Up, Spending Time with God, Serving, or Practicing Lent Together with your spouse, friends, or small group. As you “Give Time to God” each day, consider reading through Mark’s account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection using the weekly Bible reading plan below. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
3/9 – Pray. Read Mark 4:21-34, then pray in response to what you read.
3/10 – Mark 4:35-41
3/11 – Mark 5:1-20
3/12 – Mark 5:21-43
3/13 – Mark 6:1-6
3/14 – Mark 6:7-13
If you do not own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 67

Develop as a Disciple – Lent is a season of 40 days of focus on Christ and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. The season begins on Ash Wednesday (2/26) and ends on the Saturday (4/11) before Easter. You are encouraged to observe the Lenten season through Worship and Prayer, Giving Something Up, Spending Time with God, Serving, or Practicing Lent Together with your spouse, friends, or small group. As you “Give Time to God” each day, consider reading through Mark’s account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection using the weekly Bible reading plan below. During your daily time with the Lord, you are encouraged to pray before and after you read the Bible verses.
3/2 – Pray. Read Mark 1:1-13, then pray in response to what you read.
3/3 – Mark 1:14-45
3/4 – Mark 2:1-12
3/5 – Mark 2:13-3:6
3/6 – Mark 3:7-35
3/7 – Mark 4:1-20
If you do not own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 66

Develop as a Disciple – Discipleship is a life-long journey of walking with Christ towards maturity and unity with other believers for the sake of the world. Thankfully, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us throughout the journey (Matthew 28:20). Continue seeking the Lord and his will each day as you study scripture and pray.
Monday – Read Matthew 4:23-5:12 and pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Tuesday – Read Matthew 6:5-15 and use Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 as your own prayer.
Wednesday – Read Matthew 6:16-18 and pray for God to reveal what you are supposed to Give Up today, and during the Lenten season, as a way of fasting.
Thursday – Read Matthew 7:7-14; 24-29 and ask God, seek His will, and knock on a door that God guides you to today.
Friday – Read Matthew 9:35-38 and ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field.
Saturday – Read Matthew 11:28-30 and give your burdens to Christ because he cares for you. Rest and enjoy recreation.
If you don’t own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone or tablet, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.