Crossing the Bridge into Lent

Hi everybody – I wanted to let you know I’ve dropped a new one-week reading plan that will lead up to the Sunday Sermon for February 16th, 2025.

I am not starting Luke chapter 5 until March as it fits so beautifully into the season of Lent. That gives us three Sundays before Lent begins. I wanted to provide something thought-provoking and comforting to reflect on during this time.

Since we’re heading into the Lenten season, this plan will help us prepare by reflecting on themes of loss and restoration. For those who don’t use the app reading plan, I’ll provide all the Scriptures here so you can follow along.

I received a lot of positive feedback on the last reading plan format so I’ve kept this one similar. It’s a six-day plan centered around next Sunday’s sermon, with a daily theme, New Testament Scripture, and a parallel Old Testament passage to give a fuller biblical perspective.

This six-day plan will prepare us for Sunday’s sermon, focusing on 2 Corinthians 4:7–18.

Day 1: The God of All Comfort

• New Testament: 2 Corinthians 1:3–7
• Old Testament: Isaiah 49:13
• Reflection Question: How have you experienced God’s comfort in your own times of trouble?

• Day 2: Bearing Burdens Together
• New Testament: Galatians 6:2
• Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
• Reflection Question: Who in your life is currently burdened, and how can you help bear their load?

Day 3: God’s Grace in Our Weakness

• New Testament: 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Old Testament: Psalm 73:26
• Reflection Question: In what ways can you rely on God’s strength when you feel weak or overwhelmed?

Day 4: God’s Sovereignty in Suffering

• New Testament: Romans 8:28
• Old Testament: Genesis 50:20
• Reflection Question: How can remembering God’s sovereignty bring you peace in times of difficulty?

Day 5: Rest for the Weary

• New Testament: Matthew 11:28–30
• Old Testament: Isaiah 40:28–31
• Reflection Question: What burdens can you surrender to Jesus today, trusting Him to give you rest?

Day 6: Victory Over Death

• New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:54–58
• Old Testament: Isaiah 25:7–8
• Reflection Question: How does the promise of eternal victory give you strength to persevere in caregiving or suffering?

Sunday’s Sermon Scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:7–18 – "We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

I hope you enjoy walking through this.  It was fun to put together.


For His glory,

Rev. D!