sign in sign up
<<
Home , Isaiah 51

Revised Common Lectionary: Lent

1 March to 5 April

This booklet contains the Lectionary Readings for the week, with emphasis on the Gospels.

The daily readings expand the range of biblical readings in worship and personal devotion; they complement the Sunday readings and can help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead or help reflect and digest what was heard in worship.

All congregants are encouraged to make sermon notes on a Sunday and to join a small group for deeper discussion in the week.

Week 1: 1 March tested in the wilderness 2

Week 2: 8 March Jesus teaches Nicodemus 4

Week 3: 15 March Jesus talks with a Samaritan Woman 5

Week 4: 22 March Jesus heals a man born blind 8

Week 5: 29 March The death of Lazarus 10

Week 6: 5 April Jesus coms to as King 12

40 days – 40 ways to make a difference! 15

Readings from NIV(UK)July

1

First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-17 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Week 1: 1 March

Jesus tested in the wilderness First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11

DAILY READINGS: Matthew 4:1-11 New International Monday, March 2: Version - UK (NIVUK) Psalm 32; 1 Kings 19:1-8; Hebrews 2:10-18 Jesus is tested in the wilderness Tuesday, March 3: 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into Psalm 32; Genesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 4:14-5:10 the wilderness to be tempted by the 2 Wednesday, March 4: devil. After fasting for forty days and 3 Psalm 32; Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28; Matthew forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter 18:10-14 came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son Thursday, March 5: of God, tell these stones to become 4 Psalm 121; 51:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:3-7 bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Friday, March 6: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on Psalm 121; Micah 7:18-20; Romans 3:21-31 every word that comes from the mouth 5 Saturday, March 7: of God.” Then the devil took him to the Psalm 121; Isaiah 51:4-8; Luke 7:1-10 holy city and set him on the highest point 6 of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘“He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift 2

you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 7 Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test. 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Key thought: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.

Worship: Here with Me – Tim Hughes

Small Group Questions: 1. Have you ever fasted for Spiritual reasons? If yes, what was the experience like? If not, why not? 2. What does the period of Lent mean to you? 3. Jesus meets his enemy in the wilderness. What are you currently facing that makes you feel that you are alone in the wilderness? 4. Looking at Jesus’ example, what will your next step be? 5. Look up verses in the that will strengthen your resolve and write them out below to support you for the next 6 weeks. Share them with your group.

3

Week 2: 8 March Jesus teaches Nicodemus First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Jesus teaches Nicodemus 3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one DAILY READINGS: could perform the signs you are doing if Monday, March 9: God were not with him.’ 3 Jesus Psalm 128; Numbers 21:4-9; Hebrews 3:1-6 replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can Tuesday, March 10: see the kingdom of God unless they are Psalm 128; :17-25; Romans 4:6-13 born again. 4 ‘How can someone be Wednesday, March 11: born when they are old?’ Nicodemus Psalm 128; Ezekiel 36:22-32; John 7:53-8:11 asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a Thursday, March 12: second time into their mother’s womb Psalm 95; Exodus 16:1-8; Colossians 1:15-23 to be born!’ 5 Jesus answered, ‘Very Friday, March 13: truly I tell you, no one can enter the Psalm 95; Exodus 16:9-21; Ephesians 2:11-22 kingdom of God unless they are born of Saturday, March 14: water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth Psalm 95; Exodus 16:27-35; John 4:1-6 to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’ 9 ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked. 10 ‘You are ’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

4

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Key thought: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Worship: Christ is Risen – Phil Wickham

Small Group Questions: 1. We often struggle to understand our own circumstances, never mind the emotions inside of us. What do you understand “heavenly things” or the “spiritual world” to mean from the Bible passage above? 2. Can you discern good from evil? How do you know something (message /blessing/ person) is from God? 3. How will you ensure that you see and affirm your own and other’s spiritual side this week? 4. Christ bought us with his blood. We have access to him 24/7. How do you make use of this precious gift?

Week 3: 15 March Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42

John 4:5-42 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) 5 So he came to a town in called Sychar, near the plot of ground had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

5

10 Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’ 11 ‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?’ 13 Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ 15 The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.’ DAILY READINGS: 16 He told her, ‘Go, call your husband Monday, March 16: and come back.’ 17 ‘I have no husband,’ Psalm 81; Genesis 24:1-27; 2 John 1:1-13 she replied. Jesus said to her, ‘You are Tuesday, March 17: right when you say you have no Psalm 81; Genesis 29:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 husband. 18 The fact is, you have had Wednesday, March 18: five husbands, and the man you now Psalm 81; Jeremiah 2:4-13; John 7:14-31, 37-39 have is not your husband. What you Thursday, March 19: have just said is quite true.’ 19 ‘Sir,’ the Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:10-21; Ephesians 4:25-32 woman said, ‘I can see that you are a Friday, March 20: . 20 Our ancestors worshipped Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:22-31; Ephesians 5:1-9 on this mountain, but you Jews claim Saturday, March 21: that the place where we must worship Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:32-34; John 1:1-9 is in Jerusalem.’ 21 ‘Woman,’ Jesus replied, ‘believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.’ 25 The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ 26 Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you – I am he.’ The disciples rejoin Jesus 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her? 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could this be the Messiah?’ 30 They came out of the town and made their way towards him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ 32 But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about.’ 33 Then his disciples said to each other, ‘Could someone have brought him food?’ 34 ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying

6

“One sows, and another reaps” is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.’ Many Samaritans believe 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I’ve ever done.’ 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.’

Key thought: The water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Worship: Blessed be Your Name – Maranatha Music

Small Group Questions: 1. What does Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman teach us? 2. Describe your default reaction when you are confronted with someone that is different from you in personality, belief or behavior? 3. What are your triggers for destructive behaviour? 4. What motivates you to be a “spring of living water” to others? 5. How can you be more like Jesus? 6. How are you going to make sure that you become a permanent spring of living water?

7

Week 4: 22 March Jesus heals a man born blind First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

John 9 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Jesus heals a man born blind 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3 ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 6 After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the ’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So, the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’ 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ 10 ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked. 11 He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see.’ 12 ‘Where is this man?’ they asked him. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. The Pharisees investigate the healing 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes,’ the man replied, ‘and I washed, and now I see.’ 16 Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner perform such signs?’ So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, ‘What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’ 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 ‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ 20 ‘We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.’ 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that

8

Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ‘Give glory to God by telling the truth,’ they said. ‘We know this man is a sinner.’ 25 He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’ 26 Then they asked him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ 27 He answered, ‘I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?’ 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.’ 30 The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does DAILY READINGS: not listen to sinners. He listens to the Monday, March 23: godly person who does his Psalm 146; :9-19; Acts 9:1-20 will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of Tuesday, March 24: opening the eyes of a man born Psalm 146; :14-21; Colossians 1:9-14 blind. 33 If this man were not from Wednesday, March 25: God, he could do nothing.’ 34 To this Psalm 146; :17-22; Matthew 9:27-34 they replied, ‘You were steeped in sin Thursday, March 26: at birth; how dare you lecture us!’ And Psalm 130; Ezekiel 1:1-3, 2:8-3:3; Revelation they threw him out. 10:1-11 Spiritual blindness Friday, March 27: 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown Psalm 130; :10-16; Revelation 11:15- him out, and when he found him, he 19 said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Saturday, March 28: Man? 36 ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. Psalm 130; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Luke 24:44-53 ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ 37 Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’ 38 Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshipped him. 39 Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’ 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, ‘What? Are we blind too?’ 41 Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains

Key thought: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Worship: Do it again – Elevation Worship

9

Small Group Questions: 1. Do you know anyone who is blind? What challenges does blindness create in life? Do you know anyone who has been cured of being blind, how has that changed their life? 2. If you had to lose your sight, what would be the one thing you would miss most? 3. How does Jesus answer the question about sin in the blind man’s life? Have you heard others ask about the relationship between sin and the difficult challenges in people’s lives? What is your response? 4. How important is obedience in this miracle? Have you ever missed out on a miracle because of your lack of obedience? What happened? 5. When you are asked how Jesus changed your life, what will you definitely include in your testimony?

Week 5: 29 March The death of Lazarus First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45

John 11:1-45 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) The death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay ill, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is ill.’ 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This illness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’ 8 ‘But Rabbi,’ they said, ‘a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?’ 9 Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.’ 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.’ 12 His disciples replied, ‘Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.’ 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’

10

Jesus comforts the sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 ‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been DAILY READINGS: here, my brother would not have Monday, March 30: died. 22 But I know that even now God Psalm 143; 1 Kings 17:17-24; Acts 20:7-12 will give you whatever you ask.’ 23 Jesus Tuesday, March 31: said to her, ‘Your brother will rise Psalm 143; 2 Kings 4:18-37; Ephesians 2:1-10 again.’ 24 Martha answered, ‘I know he Wednesday, April 1: will rise again in the resurrection at the Psalm 143; Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41; Matthew last day.’ 25 Jesus said to her, ‘I am the 22:23-33 resurrection and the life. The one who Thursday, April 2: believes in me will live, even though Psalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Philippians they die; 26 and whoever lives by 1:1-11 believing in me will never die. Do you Friday, April 3: believe this?’ 27 ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30 ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Saturday, April 4: Son of God, who is to come into the Psalm 31:9-16; Lamentations 3:55-66; Mark world.’ 28 After she had said this, she 10:32-34 went back and called her sister Mary aside. ‘The Teacher is here,’ she said, ‘and is asking for you.’ 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ 37 But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 ‘Take away the stone,’ he said. ‘But, Lord,’ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ‘by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.’ 40 Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and

11

said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’ The plot to kill Jesus 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

Key thought: Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Worship: How He Loves – Jeremy Riddle

Small Group Questions: 1. What major event in your past has influenced your hope for the future? 2. What gives you most hope for the future today? 3. How do you know that Jesus really understands how you feel? 4. Jesus is the light of the world, the universal answer to man’s need for spiritual truth. How does this truth manifest in your life?

Week 6: 5 April Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king Lent Year A Psalm Reading

Liturgy of the Palms Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew 21:1-11 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king 21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’ 4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: 5 ‘Say to Daughter , “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’ 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and 12

the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of !’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ’‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ 11 The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Key thought: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

We request all small group and their members to join us for the services over Holy Week.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES Monday – 6 April: 7pm Tuesday – 7 April: 7pm Wednesday – 8 April: 7pm Thursday – 9 April: 7pm (Tennebrae) Friday (Good) – 10 April: 9am & 12-3pm (3hr) Saturday – 11 April: 9am (Service of Remembrance) Sunday – Sunrise Service – 6am & Normal Sunday Services

13

40 DAYS – 40 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

1. Wash someone’s car / dishes. 2. Pick up litter. 3. Return someone’s shopping cart to the store. 4. Let someone go in front of you in line. 5. Plant something. 6. Check in on the neighbor / take a treat. 7. Play or walk dogs at an animal shelter. 8. Leave a thank you note and sweet for the sanitation workers at school/work/shopping Centre. 9. Volunteer for mobile meals. Or feed a hungry person. 10. Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while. 11. Leave money in a vending machine or parking machine for someone. 12. Buy flowers or fruit to hand out in the street. 13. Do a favour without asking anything in return. 14. Plan a surprise for someone. 15. Give a big tip to your waitron at a restaurant. 16. Pack someone a lunch for the day. 17. Compliment a stranger. 18. Help someone that is in need (mow lawn/change tire/give lift). 19. Donate blood. 20. Help someone to read / or read to someone. 21. Take an historical tour of your community. 22. Donate something to charity. 23. Don’t spread or start gossip. 24. Learn to say “hello” in different languages.

14

25. Make a family member breakfast in bed. 26. Keep fruit in your car to hand out to those in need. 27. Collect supplies for a pet shelter. 28. Wash and walk your dog. 29. Share your skills. 30. Buy a coffee/tea for a stranger at church. 31. Write a list of things that you adore about your friend. 32. Be kind to yourself. 33. Help someone paint /repair their house. 34. Support individual owned shops / services. 35. Write an appreciation note to your teacher / boss / secretary / gardener. 36. Create a fund and buy something for someone in need. 37. Recycle. 38. Take the day to not complain. 39. Say hello to everyone you see. Ask how they are, and really listen. 40. Tell someone how much you love them.

15

SOURCES CONSULTED www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/daily www.biblehub.com www.bible.com www.bible.org.com IMAGES: Google Images : Life Application Bible, Serendipity Bible Gateway (NIVUK) version used Pinterest

This book was produced and printed by the Grace of God, and with contributions from: Rev’s Themba and Kedibone Mntambo, Rev Kamogelo Monoametsi and Nadja Atkinson Kerry Wetton – Cover design & Proofreader Bryanston Methodist Church March to April 2020

SMALL GROUPS:

Intentionally transforming people in loving community!

Small groups are the ideal place for you to: Connect with others in life-giving fellowship, learn more about yourself and God, grow in your relationship with God, hold each other accountable for your walk with Jesus, live out your spiritual gifts supported by friends, make an impact whilst living out your God-given purpose. We believe that life happens in community!

Contact NADJA to join a small group near you! [email protected] / 011463 2333

16