Oaks Hills Presbyterian Church hosts a weekly Bible study session on Wednesdays from 7 pm. to 8 p.m., led by Pastor Jerry Hill.
According to the church’s Facebook post, Hill will utilize "Unsettling Lent" as one of the devotional guides for the sessions.
The Bible study sessions will take place throughout March, and interested participants can request a Zoom link by sending an email to the church.
Unsettling Lent
During the start of the Lenten season, which marks the beginning of Christians' reflection on the cross and resurrection, some churches and ministers have looked for ways to help believers relate their faith to the world.
Instead of simply viewing Lent as a time of personal spiritual reflection, these efforts acknowledge the social and political significance of the Good News.
This concept is the basis for the “Unsettling Lent” devotional book, which Word and Way and Chalice Press recently published.
According to the book’s overview, following Jesus to the Cross is not a typical Lenten devotional.
It was considered a good thing, as the true meaning of Lent has been distorted by the current culture's promotion of religious complacency.
With this, “Unsettling Lent” is a devotional that connects the biblical story to contemporary realities.
It also encourages Christians to use Lent as a time for seeking justice and showing solidarity with others.
Unlike other devotionals that focus on personal spirituality and inward change, "Unsettling Lent" highlights the communal and public implications of self-sacrifice, love, and standing up against power.
This devotional invites Christians to journey to the cross more faithfully, with the promise of renewing themselves, their churches, and the world through the power of this season.
Lenten Guide
According to Word & Way, in addition to Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, other churches are utilizing the “Unsettling Lent” devotional book as their guide.
For example, National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., is producing video reflections based on the devotionals.
They also held an Ash Wednesday service centered around the theme of being "unsettled."
Meanwhile, First Baptist Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania is hosting weekly Sunday discussions on the devotionals.
Numerous other churches and individuals are also going through the devotional book.
With this understanding of how faith should extend beyond personal devotion, it can be noted that various Ash Wednesday services have focused on significant social issues.
For example, a service in England lamented the environmental impact of a large coal mine.
Another service reflected on the final words of recently executed individuals in the United States, and a Catholic advocacy group held a service that addressed the need for reparations for slavery.
These gatherings on Ash Wednesday explored how the messages of Lent should shape public witness as Christians.
Even for those who do not participate in the liturgical practices of Ash Wednesday or Lenten fasting, these services offer valuable insights into how faith can have an impact beyond the walls of a church.
In addition to using the “Unsettling Lent” devotional book, Oaks Hills will also use "RISE: An Authentic Lenten Devotional" by John Pavlovitz.
"RISE" is a 40-day journey of spiritual growth that includes daily readings of scripture, reflection, and prayer.
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