First Sunday in Lent 2022

Read: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Reflect: The world can be a scary place where it can feel like so much can go wrong. For young children, who have a very strong sense of justice, life can feel unfair. It’s unfair when other kids don’t share. It’s unfair when someone says no. It’s unfair that anyone would have to go to bed before the sun sets. As these obstacles present themselves, explore what it means to trust. Can we trust that the sun will rise again tomorrow? Can we trust teachers and parents? Who else can we trust? Who are the angels that God puts in charge of us to protect us wherever we go? Who are the ones that old up their hands so we don’t hurt our feet? Consider together how you can know that God will protect you and keep you safe.

Respond: Even if your children are not fully verbal and can’t share in all of this reflection with you, use this week as an opportunity to reflect upon the angels that are always around you and your family, even when we don’t see those people every day. Make a mobile for your baby with all of the angels in their family that watch over your sleeping babe. Draw a family tree together that includes chosen family on those many branches. Make special time on your family calendar to have lunch or dinner with the people you love but don’t see every day.

- Elsa Cook

Adult and Elementary

Read: Luke 4:1-13

Reflect: “After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit… was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Jesus’ baptism marks the start of his ministry on earth. Why does he retreat for forty days? Maybe he hopes to pray, prepare, and plan how to call all people into the Kingdom of God and to share with them the good news of a God who loves them. Surely he is excited about his ministry and eager to get started. But Jesus’ ministry will also be incredibly hard – he knows he will be mistrusted and ultimately betrayed. He must face the harsh reality of how his earthly ministry will end. During this time of preparation, the devil tempts Jesus, offering him choices that might sound good – but are choices that take Jesus away from his ministry. So Jesus tells the devil NO.

Respond: Lent is a time of prayer and reflection when we remember Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Many people give something up for Lent, like candy or desserts, or they decrease their screen time. People also can add something to their lives, like saying grace at every meal, or reading Bible stories, or saving their spare change for others. What will your family do in Lent? Talk about what God is calling you to do as a family. What is your ministry? How can you best prepare for this ministry together? How can you be your best selves that which God made you to be? Whatever you decide, choose something that brings you closer to God and closer to one another.

- Lisa Brown

Adult and Youth

Read: Luke 4:1-13

Reflect: While Jesus was in the wilderness, the devil came to Jesus and tested him. In today’s terms, Jesus was tempted with food that would feed him physically, the power and authority to rule the world, and the pride of knowing that he was the Son of God. Each time, Jesus rejected the temptations of the world that the devil presented him. Each time, he reminded the devil and himself that God could feed him, that God was to be worshiped, and that he did not need to test God. When have you been tempted in your life? Were you able to trust God in that moment? Why or why not?

Respond: Draw three triangles and label them Power, Pride, and Physical. Inside each one, write or draw temptations that you might experience that would fall into that triangle. Create a plan of how you are going to reject those temptations and look to God to help you past them. Pray over that plan and post it in a place you will see frequently.

-Wallace Benton

Adult and Adults

Read: Romans 10:8b-13

Reflect: Who are we following? Who are we imitating? We need to careful about imitating those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Those who live contrary to the word of God will lead us down a path to destruction. We can recognize them because “...their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.” Instead, we need to follow those who are citizens of heaven, those whose minds are on things above, not on things on the earth. When we imitate those who set righteous examples, we will see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). In addition, we should desire to set godly examples for others to follow. We should want others to see the light of Christ in our day-today living. Can others find their way to the Lord through our example?

Respond: List out ten practical ways in which you can be an example to others. Ask the Lord to lead you to someone with whom you can be an example in holiness.

- Aretha Grant

Download a printable copy of this week's reflections HERE.

This reflection was originally published in Lent 2018.