Living the New Way
Lent 2025
Jesus begins His earthly ministry declaring a new way to live. He ends His ministry living and teaching this new way, though it costs Him his life. This Lent series from the second half of Mark calls us to reflect deeply on Jesus’ values and compels us to imitate His way of life.
Bookmarks are available at the Welcome Center with the focus of each week and a reading guide. Feel free to pick up an extra bookmark and invite a friend!
Bookmarks are available at the Welcome Center with the focus of each week and a reading guide. Feel free to pick up an extra bookmark and invite a friend!
Our Lent Bible reading plan is designed to help you stay rooted in the Word, strengthen your faith, and guide you on your spiritual journey. It covers the passes used in Sundays' messages and other related Bible texts. The reading plan starts on March 3 and continues, Monday - Friday, for 8 weeks. Bookmarks with the reading plan are available at the Welcome Center.
You can have accountability and connect with others in our congregation by signing up for a Bible reading texting group. The groups consist of approximately 5 people texting each other their thoughts and impressions of the passage that was read. Sign up below or let April Beaver know you would like to be part of the plan.
You can have accountability and connect with others in our congregation by signing up for a Bible reading texting group. The groups consist of approximately 5 people texting each other their thoughts and impressions of the passage that was read. Sign up below or let April Beaver know you would like to be part of the plan.
Living the New Way Message Schedule
March 2: Belief and Mercy
(Mark 9:14-29)
Jesus’ healing of the possessed boy is a testing ground for His disciples. Believing in His ability and willingness to show mercy impacts not only redemption, but also our effectiveness for Him.
March 9: Stumbling Around
(Mark 9:42-50)
The world creates obstacles to right living, but Jesus is most concerned about what it is inside us that causes us to trip over these obstacles. This text calls us to remove the source of our stumbling, and ensure we are not the cause of another’s.
March 16: First/Last, Last/First
(Mark 10:17-31)
True discipleship requires surrendering anything that holds us back from fully following Jesus, including wealth and personal attachments. Salvation is not earned through human effort but is a gift from God, and those who sacrifice for Christ will receive far greater rewards in His kingdom.
March 23: “Great” Redefined
(Mark 10:35-45)
Jesus upends what it means to be great. Servanthood is the heart of true greatness and reflects the life of Christ. We are called to be great, God’s way.
March 30: Radical Love
(Mark 12:28-34)
The “rules of relationship” with Jesus are about a love that supersedes, and completes, obedience. An all-in love is the core motivator of the new way of life. Jesus again calls us away from a “checklist of obedience” approach to a full-hearted desire to live for Him.
April 6: Happily Ever After?
(Mark 13:1-11, 32-37)
We crave happily ever afters, but Jesus disrupts our earth-bound optimism with a dose of reality. He prepares us to live with an alert demeanor and a ready response when our faith is confronted. Our great hope is bound to the cross and eternity, not this world.
April 13: Preconceived Notions
(Mark 11:1-11)
We turn on a dime when expectations are disappointed. Like the crowds on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, we sway when what we want is not given. Rather than managing our expectations, Jesus exposes them. He wants to be our King on His terms, not ours.
Maundy Thursday, April 17: Self-Interest and Self-Sacrifice
(Mark 15:1-15)
Our self-interest led Jesus to the cross. His self-sacrifice kept Him there. What Jesus endured calls us out of self-interest to humble repentance and a life of deep gratitude.
April 20: Resurrection Life!
(Mark 16:1-8)
Fear is an understandable part of Easter because the resurrection unhinges our expectation of mortality. It also introduces great freedom to those willing to accept the power and victory of Christ. Resurrection life is the new and best way to really live!
(Mark 9:14-29)
Jesus’ healing of the possessed boy is a testing ground for His disciples. Believing in His ability and willingness to show mercy impacts not only redemption, but also our effectiveness for Him.
March 9: Stumbling Around
(Mark 9:42-50)
The world creates obstacles to right living, but Jesus is most concerned about what it is inside us that causes us to trip over these obstacles. This text calls us to remove the source of our stumbling, and ensure we are not the cause of another’s.
March 16: First/Last, Last/First
(Mark 10:17-31)
True discipleship requires surrendering anything that holds us back from fully following Jesus, including wealth and personal attachments. Salvation is not earned through human effort but is a gift from God, and those who sacrifice for Christ will receive far greater rewards in His kingdom.
March 23: “Great” Redefined
(Mark 10:35-45)
Jesus upends what it means to be great. Servanthood is the heart of true greatness and reflects the life of Christ. We are called to be great, God’s way.
March 30: Radical Love
(Mark 12:28-34)
The “rules of relationship” with Jesus are about a love that supersedes, and completes, obedience. An all-in love is the core motivator of the new way of life. Jesus again calls us away from a “checklist of obedience” approach to a full-hearted desire to live for Him.
April 6: Happily Ever After?
(Mark 13:1-11, 32-37)
We crave happily ever afters, but Jesus disrupts our earth-bound optimism with a dose of reality. He prepares us to live with an alert demeanor and a ready response when our faith is confronted. Our great hope is bound to the cross and eternity, not this world.
April 13: Preconceived Notions
(Mark 11:1-11)
We turn on a dime when expectations are disappointed. Like the crowds on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, we sway when what we want is not given. Rather than managing our expectations, Jesus exposes them. He wants to be our King on His terms, not ours.
Maundy Thursday, April 17: Self-Interest and Self-Sacrifice
(Mark 15:1-15)
Our self-interest led Jesus to the cross. His self-sacrifice kept Him there. What Jesus endured calls us out of self-interest to humble repentance and a life of deep gratitude.
April 20: Resurrection Life!
(Mark 16:1-8)
Fear is an understandable part of Easter because the resurrection unhinges our expectation of mortality. It also introduces great freedom to those willing to accept the power and victory of Christ. Resurrection life is the new and best way to really live!