With All Your Heart: Series Overview and Scriptures (United Methodist Discipleship Ministries)

In this season of formation and preparation, we again approach the 40 days of Lent from a variety of different perspectives and points along the Christian journey. During this season, new and longtime Christians alike hear the call to return to God with all their hearts, thus entering a season historically characterized by much prayer and fasting. These works of discipline have for hundreds of years served as a means by which new converts prepare for baptism, which occurs as a part of the Easter Vigil. Using the words of Wesleyan theology, we believe all this work is initiated by God, who invites us to come before God with all our hearts.

These passages work hand-in-hand to clearly articulate the distinct pathway that begins with God’s call (Ash Wednesday and Lent 1) and continues through the process of our own repentance (Lent 2 and 3), reconciliation with God and one another (Lent 4 and 5), and preparation to publicly proclaim our belief in the risen Christ (Palm/Passion and Easter). Every year, then, this season becomes a place for us to revisit and renew our beginnings along the Christian journey of salvation.

May your Lenten season be one of challenge, commitment, and support as the church responds to the call of God – “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12).

Week 1.1: Ash Wednesday                          March 6          Return to Me

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Week 1.2: First Sunday in Lent                 March 10        God’s Generous Heart

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13

Week 2: Second Sunday in Lent                March 17        Imitating

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1

Week 3: Third Sunday in Lent                  March 24        Repenting

Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Week 4: Fourth Sunday in Lent                March 31        Coming Together

Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Week 5: Fifth Sunday in Lent                    April 7             Making a New Thing

Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14

Week 6: Palm/Passion Sunday                  April 14           Preparing

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-40;

Week 7: Easter Day                                    April 21           Believing

Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; John 20:1-18

*All scripture quotations are NRSV.