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.
 


Your Faith Journey 65

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 Romans 1:1-17 and pray for those closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Tuesday – Read Romans 5 and pray for those who point you towards God (pastors, teachers, small group hosts, mentors, Sunday School teachers, singers/musicians, devotional writers, authors, filmmakers, etc.)
Wednesday – Read Romans 6:1-14 and pray for those who serve as leaders within our community, state, nation, and world.
Thursday – Read Romans 8:1-17 and pray for those in need locally, nationally, and globally.
Friday – Read Romans 8:18-27 and pray for yourself.
Saturday – Read Romans 8:28-39 and rest, enjoy recreation, and reflect upon the past week.
If you don’t own a Bible, or you want the convenience of having the Bible on your smart phone, download the YouVersion Bible App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
 


Your Faith Journey 64

Your Faith Journey

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 Joshua 1:1-11, then listen to a favorite song or sing as a way to help you worship the Lord as you pray adoring, honoring, and praising God.

Tuesday – Read Joshua 2 and confess your sins to the Lord.

Wednesday – Read Joshua 3 and offer thanks to God Almighty, the source of our lives and blessings.

Thursday – Read Joshua 4 and lift up prayers and petitions to God on behalf of others and yourself. Consider praying for those in need around the world, brothers and sisters in Christ, our denomination, the community, neighbors, family members, and friends.

Friday – Read Joshua 24:1-15 and sit, kneel, stand, walk, or drive in silence as you wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you. In other words, listen.

SaturdayRest, enjoy recreation, and reflect upon the past week. Re-read verses or phrases that the Holy Spirit draws your attention towards. Share a prayer based on the ACTS acronym that includes, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (praying for the needs of others and yourself).