4 Bible Studies for Lent

Rod Long (2017), public domain

The calendar just turned to 2018. We’ve barely cleared January. You’re probably not thinking of Easter.

But Lent will be upon us soon! Lent is the season of the church calendar that comes before Easter and, like Advent, it is a season of prepartion.

What is Lent?

Lent is more commonly observed in the Catholic and Orthodox churches, but all Christians can benefit from the season. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14 this year) and ends just before Easter Sunday (April 1).

Lent lasts approximately 40 days, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before his temptation (Matthew 4:1–2). In this respect, Lent differs from Advent in its length. These two seasons also differ in emphasis.

While Advent is a season of excited anticipation, Lent is traditionally a season of contemplation and fasting. During Lent, Christians focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus, along with the sin that made this sacrifice necessary. As a result, Christians who observe Lent spend time in confession, mourning, prayer, and fasting. Some identify a pleasurable gift of God (like meat or chocolate or coffee) from which to abstain during Lent.

There is, of course, no Biblical command to observe Lent. But if you’d like to take advantage of this spot in the church calendar, you may see great spiritual gain.

Lenten Bible Study

If you decide to observe Lent you may want to adjust your devotional life accordingly. In this spirit, many reach for Lenten devotionals at this time of the year. These guides usually consist of daily Bible readings, some commentary, and a suggested prayer. These can be wonderful tools.

However, let me urge you not to rely on these devotionals. Feel free to use them, but don’t neglect the study of the Bible yourself.

When you read and study the Bible on your own, you hear the words of God directly. The interpretation and meaning of the text doesn’t come from a well-meaning author, it comes from the Holy Spirit working in you. And while we can benefit greatly from devotional writers, nothing should replace our personal communion with God through his word.

God has written his word to be read, studied, and understood by all of his children. You are smart enough to study the Bible on your own.

Four Bible Studies

As I did for Advent, I’m providing four Bible study plans for Lent. There is nothing earth-shattering in these suggestions, but some might find the structure and organization helpful. Pick one and go for it.

If you’re new to Bible study or you’d like a refresher, please see our overview of the OIA Bible study method as well as a more detailed explanation. We have some OIA worksheets too; you can find them on our Resources page.

You should also feel free to improvise! If you find a better division to these chapters than what I’ve listed, don’t hesitate to adjust your study.

I’ve planned each of these studies to take six and a half weeks, from Ash Wednesday through Easter Saturday. In each study I’ve focused on the last week of Jesus’s life, from his entry into Jerusalem through his resurrection.

A Study in Matthew

• Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Matthew 21–25.
• Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Matthew 26:1–29.
• Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Matthew 26:30–58.
• Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Matthew 26:59–27:14.
• Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Matthew 27:15–44.
• Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Matthew 27:45–66.
• Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Matthew 28:1–20.

A Study in Mark

• Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Mark 11–13.
• Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Mark 14:1–25.
• Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Mark 14:26–50.
• Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Mark 14:51–72.
• Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Mark 15:1–21.
• Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Mark 15:22–47.
• Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Mark 16:1–20.

A Study in Luke

• Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read Luke 19:28–21:38.
• Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study Luke 22:1–38.
• Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study Luke 22:39–62.
• Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study Luke 22:63–23:25.
• Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study Luke 23:26–56.
• Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study Luke 24:1–27.
• Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study Luke 24:28–53.

A Study in John

• Week 0 (February 14 through February 17): Read John 12–17.
• Week 1 (February 18 through February 24): Study John 18:1–24.
• Week 2 (February 25 through March 3): Study John 18:25–19:12.
• Week 3 (March 4 through March 10): Study John 19:13–37.
• Week 4 (March 11 through March 17): Study John 19:38–20:18.
• Week 5 (March 18 through March 24): Study John 20:19–31.
• Week 6 (March 25 through March 31): Study John 21:1–25.

Lent for Your Soul

Depending on the tradition in which you were raised, you might not be thrilled about Lent. The season may invoke for you gloominess, deprivation, and asceticism that doesn’t seem rooted in the Bible.

Instead, Lent can be glorious! During the whole of his ministry, Jesus was focused on the cross, and if you follow one of these study plans, you’ll have that same focus. You can witness Jesus’s devotion, his love for his people, his power, and the supernatural explosion of the resurrection. Lean in during Lent, and you’ll be ready for a jubilant Easter celebration!