Virtues and Blessings in Jesus’ Kingdom

Lenten blessings! Our prayer is that our email- and text-based devotional series for Lent will be a great companion as we “set our face” towards the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Starting Sunday, February 26, you’ll receive one email devotional idea each week for the remainder of Lent. Your email will arrive on Sunday afternoons. Throughout the week, there’ll also be a text or two to encourage you along the way. Not signed up for emails or texts from Epiclesis? Just let us know.

The goal of Lent is not to survive a period of sacrifice, but rather to grow as “giving up” things creates space and time to “take on” disciplines and virtues. Lent is a time to walk with Jesus intentionally to the cross.

Throughout the devotional series we’ll be considering two questions:1. What do we learn about Jesus? 2. What do we learn about ourselves?

Each week you’ll receive questions (email and text) to prompt your study and meditation. We’re focusing on Matthew 5:1-12 and specifically the virtues and blessings in living as a subjects of Jesus’ Kingdom.

A collection of each of the five weekly emails can be found here.

Now, an additional two things to help:

We’ve put together a podcast conversation between the three of us that we’re hoping you’ll very helpful. Listen to it as soon as possible and it’ll help provide a foundation for the entire series (find that podcast here).

Pastor Rick also created a daily prayer based on Matthew 5:3-12 to incorporate into your Lenten journey (which we’ll both provide at church and also digitally here). We challenge you to start each day with this prayer.

Pay careful attention to how the virtues and blessings build on each other in Jesus’ teaching. It’s not just a random “to do” list… it’s an invitation to step into Kingdom-shaped living right now!

Grace and peace as you explore the kingdom virtues and blessings through this Lenten journey!