Is Lent Still Relevant Today?

Andrew Kim

Andrew Kim

Troy Lead Pastor

For you, maybe Lent kicks off the hype and excitement surrounding Easter, or maybe Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice. Or maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “What is Lent anyway, and why is it a big deal?” Wherever you fall on the Lenten spectrum, I think I can shed some light on why Lent is still relevant today.

What Is Lent?

First, it’s important to understand the significance of Lent. The word Lent comes from the Latin root meaning “to lengthen.” It’s the 40-day period prior to Easter, excluding Sundays, that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter). On Ash Wednesday, many Christians embark in the tradition of receiving ashes on their foreheads as a reminder that we were made from dust, and to dust we shall return. The ashes remind us that we are but fleeting flowers in a field, here today and gone tomorrow—but we have hope in the resurrection of Jesus!

ash wednesday

Although Lent is not found in the Scriptures, many Jesus followers choose to participate through practices such as reflection, repentance and prayer as a way to prepare their hearts for Easter. You don’t have recognize Ash Wednesday or even start “on time,” but I encourage you to consider some way to make this a season of self-reflection as we recognize our need for a savior.  For me, Lent is a time to open my heart a little wider so when we arrive at Good Friday and Easter, it is not just another day at church but an opportunity to receive the overflowing grace, hope and love of the risen Lord.

Here are a few ways you can engage in Lent to prepare your heart for Good Friday and Easter.

1. Give Up

The most common discipline that people engage in during Lent is fasting. Some may give up certain types of food (dessert, meat, etc.). Others may give up a habit or behavior such as caffeine, social media or TV. In past years, I have given up coffee (incredibly painful), soda and Facebook.

Fasting is a powerful discipline because when we deny ourselves something we desire, we are saying there is something more important in our lives than that thing. During Lent, we are declaring that God is more important.

When we fast, we are also reminded of God. On certain days I can go through the day without thinking much about him. But whenever I have to fight the temptation to indulge in something I have chosen to give up, it reminds me of Him, His sacrifice, and His reality in our lives. The year I gave up coffee, I was reminded every morning and really all throughout the day of this powerful truth.

jesus saves

2. Give Out

During Lent, you can also choose to give out. Jesus gave us everything on the cross, so this season can be an opportunity for us to give to others. What if during Lent we committed an intentional act of kindness every day? What if we asked God to help us see those around us that we could love, serve, and be generous toward? Imagine how powerfully that would reflect the message of the cross to those around us.

3. Give In

Some commit to a daily devotional activity during Lent. This often includes reading a short teaching on a Scripture passage or topic every day and then spending a few moments in prayer. A great devotional that we would like to recommend is a Lent reading plan on the YouVersion app. It brings together quotes, readings and Scripture to help you focus your mind on Christ.

bible study

Even though Lent is not a “requirement” for Jesus followers, millions every year choose to participate. It is not too late to jump in, so if you have yet to participate this year, we would love for you to join us. If you do, I know you will be amazed as to what occurs in your life as you choose to spend a portion of every day intentionally focused on Jesus.

No matter where you are in the process, I hope to encourage you to take a step towards preparing your heart and mind on Jesus during the journey to Easter.

Share this post

You Might Like...
orion
Danny Robles

Not Our First Quarantine

God is good. God sees our situations through. God is mighty to save. (Zephaniah 3:17) Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. (Luke 11:28)

Bette Dickinson

Making Room For The New | An Advent Invitation

Author and artist Bette Dickinson of our Traverse City campus shares transformational truth from her new book, Making Room In Advent. As we anticipate Advent, a season of expectant waiting, we can learn from the

Never miss another blog post.
Subscribe to be notified when new posts are published.

pagination_prv_arrow

Congregational Vote - Latest News!

Dear Kensington,

Yesterday was the Special Meeting vote to affirm our Senior Pastor candidate, which took place at all campuses during all services. If you were there or joined us online, thank you for taking part to vote on our candidate, Brian Mowrey, as our new Senior Pastor. Because of such a strong, positive turnout, members and the congregation have confirmed Brian as our new Senior Pastor with nearly 99% voting yes. Brian has said yes, and the Mowreys are coming to be part of the Kensington family! 

We all know this has been a long journey, requiring much patience and trust. Your continued commitment to Kensington and your willingness to lean into this process with us is what helped get us here today. With such a strong positive vote for Brian’s leadership, there is no doubt that we are ready to be led into what God has for us in the years ahead.

The next few months will be a time of transition and we ask that you continue to pray for Brian, Becca and the girls as their adventure is just beginning with us; also pray as they are concluding a chapter of their life with Walnut Hill. While this transition over the next few months will mean that Brian is back and forth between Kensington and Connecticut, Brian will be actively engaged with all that is happening at Kensington and will be relocated and in place with us by the end of summer.

Brian wanted to share with all of you a quick word of thanks for your trust in his leadership of Kensington. Watch here

Thank you, God, for your provision. It’s just beginning. Immeasurably More!!

Grace and Peace,

Craig A. Mayes
Lead Pastor & Elder
Kensington Church

Retreats

Podcasts

Websites

Subscriptions

Marriage 365

Married People

Growing In Marriage

Prepare Enrich

Subscriptions

Marriage 365

Married People

Growing In Marriage

Prepare Enrich

Books We Love

Preparing For Marriage

Marriage Prep

Before the Last Resort

Marriage Restoration

Vertical Marriage

Marriage Growth

Secrets of Sex and Marriage

Intimacy

Men Only/For Women Only

Marriage Growth

Smart Step Family

Blended families

The Meaning of Marriage

Marriage Prep

The Power of a Praying Wife

Marriage Growth

The Power of a Praying Husband

Marriage Growth

The 5 Love Languages

Dating

Love and Respect

Marriage Growth

Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Walking Away

Marriage Restoration

101 Questions To Ask Before You Get Engaged

Dating

Newlywed Couple's Devotional

Newlywed

Children's Programming During Services

Troy

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

11am | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

3pm | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

5pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Orion

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
No children’s programming

11am | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK and Elementary programming

3pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK and Elementary programming

5pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Clinton Twp

5pm | 12/23
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

7pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

1pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

3pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Birmingham

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming


1pm | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming

Traverse City

2pm | 12/24
No children’s programming

4pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Clarkston

10am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

12pm | 12/24

Birth-PreK programming

Marriage and Blended Family

The Marriage Course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Strengthen your communication and gain a deeper understanding of your partner. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.
REGISTER

The Blended Family Workshop addresses the confusing roles and boundaries involved in blending families and identifies why parents so often struggle in blending their efforts. Find a community of people who are contemplating blending a family or are “in the trenches” building and growing their blended family!
REGISTER


Please email 
marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Learning Labs

Discover rhythms and practices that can help us abide in the love, grace, and hope of God, where our lives can be transformed. Explore some of these practices together with others who are pursuing the same.

Orion

Birmingham Campus

We are offering a time for our congregation to gather after the 10am service for prayer in the Groves Auditorium, 20500 W 13 Mile Rd, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

Parents & Student Resources

Parents – self care is critical. It’s important to do your own processing with another adult so that you can be more present as your child processes. Here are tools that you can use to get you started.

Podcast

Helpful Blogs

Other Materials

Counselors Are Needed After Tragedy

“The aftermath of the Oxford shooting tragedy will undoubtedly result in traumatic symptoms and experiences across our communities for quite some time. Healing the brain through evidence-based therapies is absolutely possible with clinical guidance. There is a valuable village of Trauma Therapists with collective resources standing by for Oxford, for both direct and secondary survivors to engage in therapy. Until then, we honorably hold a sacred space, as students, families, staff and school partners continue to mourn.” -Laura Azoni, LMSW, Founder of Sanctuary Services

Orion Campus

We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

Tate Myre Funeral:
Monday, 12.6 Visitation 1 to 8pm
Tuesday, 12.7 Visitation 10-12pm and funeral at Noon

Clinton Township Campus

We will be offering a time for our congregation to gather after each service for a time of corporate prayer in the Greatroom. Prayer will be offered at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm. (25000 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48036)

This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

Troy Campus

Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

Marriage Classes

What grows marriages? Focusing on the two of you and being in community!
The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

Please email marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Financial Peace University (FPU)

Financial Peace University (FPU) is a catalyst to help people live in financial freedom and enable them to have a posture of openhandedness. We have witnessed numerous Kensington families experience life change as a result of applying Biblical truths to their personal finances. The real blessing is seeing people create lives of margin that allow them to hear and respond to the Lord’s calling on their lives.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Bible Basics

Whether you are brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for decades, Bible Basics is a course that will help you understand the overall flow of the Bible. Over the course of several weeks, learn how the Bible came from the original writers to the English versions we have today. We’ll look at the big-picture story of the Bible and how all the individual books add to the whole. We’ll even learn a little about the history of the Jewish nation. But most of all, we’ll grow in our awe of the amazing author of this amazing book!

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Orion

Alpha

What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Birmingham

Orion

Troy

You will then be directed to PushPay for payment.
For additional questions, please contact giving@kensingtonchurch.org or call 248.786.0637

GROUP LEADER DEVELOPMENT