LENT 2025 | Walking the Way of Jesus

“Our lives are destined to become like the life of Jesus. The whole purpose of Jesus’ ministry is to bring us to the house of the Father. Not only did Jesus come to free us from the bonds of sin and death, he also came to lead us into the intimacy of his divine life. It is difficult for us to imagine what this means. We tend to emphasize the distance between Jesus and ourselves. We see Jesus as the all-knowing and all-powerful Son of God who is unreachable for us sinful, broken human beings. But in this way of thinking, we forget that Jesus came to give us his own life. He came to lift us up into the loving community with the Father. Only when we recognize the radical purpose of Jesus’ ministry will we be able to understand the meaning of the spiritual life. Everything that belongs to Jesus is given for us to receive." —Henri Nouwen

Jesus came to give us his own life. His vision, ministry, future, and way of being are all shared with us.  This was Christ’s prayer.

Through the Gospel we have been brought into the Kingdom of God through Jesus life, death, and resurrection. Now in friendship we are invited to live as ongoing apprentices to the way of Jesus. We spend time with Christ and grow to become more and more like him. We do the very things we see him doing, This is presence, formation, and love. 

Observing the Season

Historically, the season of Lent in the church year is a time of preparation, repentance, and renewal. We remember and mark Jesus’ time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. We ask God to help remove our sin and anything that has entangled us or is keeping us from experiencing our union with Jesus.

In practical terms, Lent spans from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It is often counted as 40 days with the 6 Sundays excluded as optional fast days.

Lent is always a season where we consider how we might return to God or stir up our hearts towards God. One focus for this year at TGC is how we might take up the practices of Jesus.

Sundays
March 9: Fasting (Matthew 3:16–4)
March 16: Resisting Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)
March 23: Withdrawing in Prayer (Mark 1:29-39)
March 30: Engaging in Prayer (John 17: 1-16)
April 6: Humble Courage in Confrontation (Mark 11:12-25)

Holy Week
April 13: Palm Sunday
April 17: Maundy Thursday (Prayer Room Vigil begins)
April 18: Good Friday
April 20: Easter

LENT TEACHING SERIES

March 9 - April 20 / Join us during Lent for our series: Walking the Way of Jesus. You can experience previous teachings via our livestream recordings or on our podcast. We also have a groups guide for further discussion and application.

Preparing for Lent

Here are some resources to help prepare you this lenten season to experience the journey of Jesus on the cross and ultimately to celebrate Easter weekend and the hope we have because of the resurrection of Jesus. 

Featured
Lent | Part 4 - Growing in Prayer
Lent | Part 4 - Growing in Prayer

Lent | Part 4 - Growing in Prayer

Lent | Part 3 - Fasting
Lent | Part 3 - Fasting

Lent | Part 3 - Fasting

Lent | Part 2 - Observing the Season
Lent | Part 2 - Observing the Season

Lent | Part 2 - Observing the Season

Lent | Part 1 - Intro to the Season
Lent | Part 1 - Intro to the Season

Lent | Part 1 - Intro to the Season

Fasting

Lent is season where many who are able choose to observe a fast. This most often includes choosing a time period to abstain from food and press into prayer.

If fasting is not an option for you medically or otherwise, you may choose to give up something else during the Lent season in order turn your heart more fully to God. 

The point in any type of Christian fast is not simply the giving up, but the replacement. We are not just hungry. We are hungry for God and we are seeking His face!

Reward Sibanda has just released a very accessible and helpful book on How to Fast.

We have additional resources below to help with planning a fast during Lent. 

Prayer

We invite everyone to join us in shared rhythms of prayer throughout Lent. We are expectant for how God will meet us as we seek Him corporately in these times. Here are some ways you can participate:

  • We will gather for Pre-Service Prayer on Sundays at 9:45 am at Middle School 51.

  • We have a special Lent installation at our TGC Prayer Room that walk through the stations of the Cross. We are encouraging every regular participant at TGC to get to the prayer room at least once during Lent.

  • We will also keep a 24 hour prayer vigil from Maundy Thursday through Good Friday in the Prayer Room. Sign up for time slot. Come on your own or with a group (or both!)

Artist Statement for Lent Prayer Room Installation

“The Stations of the Cross retrace Jesus’ finals steps in Jerusalem to the hill where he was crucified. You can find these stations inside many churches today. This journey to the cross is not only a meditation of Jesus accomplishing what he came to do — redeem humanity through his sacrifice — it’s also a contemplation of Jesus silently participating in some of the worst aspects of being human. The Stations in the Street installation is a cross-section of elements, ideas, and objects from Jesus’ journey. As you walk through the stations, may you know that the good news of this season was expressed best by Jesus when He said…“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —Scott Erickson

Groups

If you are in one of the many groups at TGC for following Jesus together we encourage you to discuss with your group how people are planning to observe Lent. 

  • Maybe there is a shared place or day of fasting (i.e. Wednesdays, Good Friday, No Social Media) that makes sense to join together on.

  • Maybe you read a shared book or section ons Scripture together during the season

  • Maybe you sign up for a few slots to pray together in the prayer room or make a prayer text thread for the days of Lent.

LENT RESOURCES

We recommend the following resources during the season of Lent:

Lent

Prayer

Additional Resources

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