What is Confession? 
Confession is our answer to God’s profound and deeply pervasive question “Where are you?” Of course, we generally recognize confession’s relationship to sin. And there’s good reason for that. But confession’s significance is more comprehensive. As Romans 10:9-10 asserts, confession is also a proclamation of belief (“… with your heart you believe… and with your mouth you confess and are saved.”). And according to Hebrews (4:14; 10:23), our confession is agreeing to what is true... ALL that is true. There’s an implied vulnerability in naming what is true and acknowledging our own helpless relationship, even dependence, on the truth. Confession is an admission of where we are in tandem with an alignment to reality. It’s a candid answer of “Here I am.”

Jesus and Confession: 
Confession, as Jesus taught, is not just about admitting sin but about a heart turned toward God in humility and repentance. He invited people to honesty, not to condemn but to transform. True confession brings freedom, as we acknowledge our need for grace, trust in Christ’s forgiveness, and walk in restored joy with God and others as seen when He speaks to the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He demonstrated that confession leads to healing and restoration, forgiving sins before healing the paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12) and offering grace to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).

Why Do We Practice Confession? 
For as long as I can remember, I have desired to be known. I yearn to be seen. I recall so many childhood memories related to what I now identify as fear of rejection and isolation. I remember sitting alone against the wall and watching pick-up basketball in middle school… just hoping that someone playing would notice me and ask me to jump in. Looking back, I see the longing I felt was related to a God-designed hunger for belonging. And the starting point of this fundamental detachment has primordial origins. Our first parents ditched being “naked and unashamed,” trading it in for a shameful hoax of hide and seek. We’ve all been playing that game ever since. And startlingly, the God who responded to the initial disobedience and self-isolation sought them out. God asked them and continues to ask us, “Where are you?”

Ways to Practice Confession: 
Read Psalm 139:23-24 (below). Then recite the Lord’s Prayer. Slowly reflect on the portion “Forgive us our debts….” What specific sins does the Spirit bring to your mind? Confess them to God. Remind yourself as you name them of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Thank God for his endless grace and mercy. Invite a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor into any current struggles you’re facing. Name the struggles in proportion to your comfort with this person. Reflect on James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed….” Share your story or specific truth God has been teaching you with someone that God puts in your path. Reflect on Paul’s confession of faith and his testimony before Felix in Acts 24:10-21. Read out loud a passage of Scripture that has significance to you. Reflect on your confession of the truth to yourself. Read the Apostles’ Creed as a confession of belief. What parts of the creed are you curious about? Memorize Psalm 139:23-24- “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Memorize 1 John 1:9 (above).

Resources About Confession:
Scripture:
Psalm 51
James 5:13-16
1 John 1:5-10

Books:
The Spirit of the Disciplines (Ch 9) by Dallas Willard
Celebration of Discipline (Ch 10) by Richard Foster
Anatomy of the Soul (Ch 9) by Curt Thompson, M.D.
Liturgy of the Ordinary (Ch 4) by Tish Harrison Warren
Confessions by Augustine

The Apostles’ Creed

What is “The Sabbath”? 
Sabbath is a special day of rest and worship set apart by God. The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which means “to cease” or “to rest.”  At the beginning of time, our Creator rested. And before the 10 Commandments were given God gave instructions about the Sabbath. It wasn’t easy at first but the people of Israel made the sabbath part of their rhythms of life. Every week the whole community (the nation of Israel) used the space created by not working to turn itself toward God. ...They lived out their belief that somehow the work they could accomplish in six days would be enough and God could be trusted with running the world while they rested. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Hayley Barton. Because of God’s great love for us, he gave the sabbath as a gift of rest.

Jesus and the Sabbath: 
Jesus warns against living for gain at the detriment to our souls, the very essence of who we are. “For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul.” Jesus set an example for us as he often got away for some time of rest and solitude - resting from a life of ministry and reconnecting to God. He targeted the misunderstanding of a legalistic observance of the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-14 when he was criticized by the Pharisees. He called himself the Lord of the Sabbath making clear that he is the one who reigns over our day set aside to worship and rest – not a set of rules and regulations. He made his point clear to them that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27

Why Do We Practice the Sabbath? 
“In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between action and rest.” Author Wayne Muller. The point of the Sabbath is to honor our need for a sane rhythm of work and rest. We admit to God and ourselves that we have limits. Rick Warren says: “We are human beings, not human doings.” We practice the Sabbath to restore our soul.

Ways to Practice the Sabbath: 
Pick one day to Sabbath this week.
Pick one half-day to Sabbath this week.
Pick a two-hour Sabbath this week.

Things to consider giving up during Sabbath:
Work – whatever that means for you. Avoid things that trigger your activism. If we abstain from consumerism one day a week we can focus more on God’s gifts.
Worry – Sabbath is an invitation to rest emotionally and mentally from things that cause worry and stress.

Things to consider doing during Sabbath: 
Relationships - pursue time with God and others.
Activities of Delight - do things you enjoy, recognizing these come from God: take a nap, read a book, get outside, play sports, linger over a meal, etc.

Resources About the Sabbath: 
Isaiah 53:13-14

Books:
“Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, from Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” by Ruth Haley Barton
“Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now” by Walter Brueggemann

Podcast:
The Next Right Thing Podcast, Episode 251: “Why Sabbath is for Everyone” with Ruth Haley Barton 

What is Generosity? 
Generosity is liberality in giving. It is the willingness to give. There is kindness in generosity.  Generosity is philanthropy and openhandedness. Most importantly, generosity is not necessarily about money, but it’s an attitude of the heart that sees a need and fills it.

Jesus and Generosity: 
In Matthew 5:40-42, Jesus taught radical generosity, urging His followers to give without expectation. He lived this by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and caring for the outcast—never seeking anything in return. He also emphasized humble giving in Matthew 6:3-4, reminding us that generosity isn’t about recognition but about serving others in secret.

Why Generosity? 
When we think of generosity as a spiritual discipline, we see it as a form of stewardship. Everything that we have comes from God and belongs to God. A person might have much to give and another person might have just a little. The widow in Mark 12:41-44 gave her last two coins out of her love for God.  Jesus gave his life  for you.

Think to yourself: “What talents, gifts, and abilities do I have?” Maybe you are mechanical or you are good with technology. Perhaps you love to practice hospitality and open your home to others. You might be an encourager and visit the sick or check on people who are suffering. These are gifts of time and space.
 
Having abilities like cooking, sewing, knitting, teaching, organizing, planning, cleaning, mowing a lawn, or even sitting silently with someone in pain can be gifts of generosity. Time is a commodity that is sometimes in short supply. Do you have talents that you use for God’s kingdom? I have a friend whose husband has been in the hospital quite a lot in the past few years. My friend, Diana, is a painter. She paints beautiful little canvases and leaves a note with her little canvases around  the hospital for visitors, hospital staff, or patients to find or keep. It is her gift of encouragement. It’s a gift that says, “I see you.  God loves you.  Have hope.”

Another gift of generosity is the gift of grace. This is a harder one to practice. When someone hurts you, offends you, or doesn’t agree with you….sometimes, you just have to give the gift of grace. There is a time and place for it and it brings peace and invites forgiveness.
 
Ways to Practice Generosity: 
Practicing generosity works best when it is an intentional act. Giving of our time, our money, and our talents is so needed in this world. People long to be seen, understood, and comforted. Sometimes, we have these gifts in our possession and we also have these gifts in our hearts to lend a hand.

There are many more ways to be generous…here are just a few examples.
 1.carpooling  2.loaning tools or house or car   3.helping people move   4.child care  5.language translating  6.tutoring  7.technology  8.plumbing 9.lawn care  10.cleaning house  11.gardening  12.driving 13.hospitality for meetings, fellowships or overnight stays 14. washing dishes  15. prayer  16.encouragement  17.cooking,  18.sewing  19.mechanic   20.artist…music, visual arts, etc. 21. sending a card or text,  22.visits to elderly, sick, grieving  23. flowers or a plant  24.vegetables from your garden... There are many more ways to be generous, those were just a few examples.

Resources About Generosity:
Articles:
"How to Travel in Europe with No Money" - by Stottler Starr
"God is Plenty" - by Tariku Fufa
"The Wealth You Forgot You Had" - by Mark Grissom

Book:
The Practice of the Presence of God - by Brother Lawrence

Scriptures:
Matthew 5:40-42
Matthew 6:3-4
Matthew 25:14-30
Luke 3:11
Luke 6:37-38
Acts 2:45-46
I Peter 4:8-11
2 Corinthians 9:7
1 Timothy 6:18-19
Proverbs 22:9
Romans 12:15
Philippians 2:4-8

What is Solitude?
Solitude is more than just being alone—it is a sacred space set apart for God. It is a time when we unplug from the noise of life, withdrawing from distractions to be fully present with Him. Whether a few minutes or a few days, this practice must be driven by a genuine desire to connect with God. When we begin to see it as a place of rest rather than striving, we will discover the depth of communion that can be found in this space.

Jesus and Solitude
Jesus regularly practiced solitude, showing us its value in a life of faith. Luke 4:42 describes one example where He intentionally withdrew to be alone with the Father: “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.” Donald Whitney reflects, “Put yourself in Jesus’ sandals for a moment. People are clamoring for your help and have many real needs. You are able to meet all those needs. Can you ever feel justified in pulling away to be alone? Jesus did.” We often find our identity in busyness, in being needed. But Jesus modeled a different way—He resisted the temptation to be indispensable and prioritized time alone with the Father.

Why Practice Solitude?
This is not about escaping life’s responsibilities but about creating space for what matters most, our relationship with our Father. When we are constantly engaged, we lose touch with our deepest needs. Barton warns, “Exhaustion sets in when we are too accessible too much of the time…What feels like being available and accessible is really a boundaryless existence that offers no protection for those things that are most precious to us… Solitude is an opportunity to interrupt this cycle by turning off the noise and stimulation of our lives so that we can hear our loneliness and our longing calling us deeper into the only relationship that can satisfy our longing.” In Exodus 14 God tells His chosen people, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Solitude is our concrete habit of entering such stillness.

Ways to Practice Solitude:
- Approach these times with a posture of being with your Father who desires to be with his kid, not a posture of accomplishing.
- Calendar just 3-5 minutes daily to sit in solitude with God. Let distractions come and go, then refocus your attention on Him.
- Plan one extended time of solitude this week. Coordinate with a spouse or friend to cover responsibilities. Find a quiet place—a park, a garden, a trail—away from distractions. Bring only a Bible (not on your phone), a notebook, and a pen. Talk to Him. Listen. Let God fight for you.

Reconnecting to Community
Solitude and community are not opposites but partners in spiritual growth. Whitney notes, “Think of silence and solitude as complementary Disciplines to fellowship. Without silence and solitude, we’re shallow. Without fellowship, we’re stagnant.” When we return from solitude, we reengage our relationships from a place of renewal rather than exhaustion. Barton describes it this way: “When I reengage my life in community with others and live from that place of union with God…Maybe nothing in my external world has changed, but I have changed, and that is what the people around me need more than anything.”

Resources About Solitude
“Sacred Rhythms” by Ruth Haley Barton

“Time Alone for God” from Desiring God

Podcast:
"Solitude and Community" from Bible Project

What is Worship? 
True worship is when we give our deepest affection and highest praise to the Father. If you asked 10 people, “What is worship?” most of them would probably say something about singing in church. This makes sense given we often split our church services into two parts: worship and sermon. The reality is that worship is far more than just music. Jesus taught us that true worship is when we give our deepest affection and highest praise to the Father. It’s loving Him as Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Jesus and Worship
Following Jesus’ example means starting with our hearts. If we don’t actually love God from the inside out, none of the other stuff we do will matter. Worshiping the way Jesus modeled involves every aspect of our gathering—our welcome, our prayers, our kids’ blessing and dismissal, the sermon, and of course, our songs. Truth is what ties it all together, because our worship should be steeped in the richness of biblical truth that grips our hearts. It should make us feel something real. Jesus called out the Pharisees for missing the whole point. In Matthew 15:8-9, He says, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Basically, they were crushing the outward performance but neglecting genuine, heartfelt love for God. That’s why He famously labeled them “whitewashed tombs”—they looked good on the outside, but inside it was just emptiness. When we worship—like Jesus showed us—we proclaim that God is prized. He is valued, cherished, and enjoyed. When we lift Him up this way, we’re not just singing songs; we’re stepping into the same mindset Jesus had, loving the Father with everything we’ve got. That’s the kind of worship that connects us with Him and transforms us from the inside out.

Why Worship? 
Worship is a key part of our relationship with God - which we can experience because of Jesus Christ. When we worship God, we actively recognize Him as our Creator, Savior, and King. Worship is also how we tell God that we love Him. As believers, Romans 12:1 tells us it is our “reasonable service” to express our gratitude for all God has done for us. Worship is also a way to spread the Gospel to non-believers; when others see us worshipping God, they can see that there is Someone Who deserves our worship.

Ways to Practice Worship: 
1. “He who sings, prays twice.” This quote, linked to St. Augustine, signifies the added power of expressing your devotion through music. As a musician on stage, looking out over our congregation and responding to their worship, I’d love to see a joyful manifestation of the Holy Spirit moving. Hands raised, smiles from ear to ear as we experience the communal expression of our praise.  However, not everyone worships the same. We worship God through a variety of works— writing, cooking, cleaning, sports, and even resting.

2. In college, I attended a church service where the worship time was spent with the congregation responding to the truth of our faith. Those responses were an acknowledgement of understanding, that there is worth and beauty and greatness and we respond to that with affection. The worship time wasn’t simply song but poetry, art, and dance, and at the time it felt very…awkward. Something that stood out though was that each person worshiping was doing so with their whole heart. No matter which avenue they chose, they were all in.

3. We worship our Father by thanking Him in prayer and through attending church. By remembering and discussing the great things He has done—Jesus left us the memorial of His death and resurrection in the Lord’s Supper. By celebrating His gift of salvation.

This week, choose an intentional way to worship that fits you. Let’s give Him our deepest affection and our highest praise!

Resources for Worship:
Books:
“Worship by the Book” – D.A. Carson
“Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship” – David Peterson
“The Pursuit of God” – A.W. Tozer
“The Songs of Jesus” – Tim Keller
“You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit” – James K.A. Smith

Podcast:
Doxology & Theology  

Playlist:
Deep Worship

What is Scripture Memorization?
Scripture memory is the intentional practice of committing God’s Word to heart so that it shapes our thoughts, guides our actions, and strengthens our faith. More than just rote memorization, it is about storing up God’s truth so that we can recall and apply it in daily life.

Jesus and Scripture Memorization
Jesus is recorded referencing scripture over 250 times in the Gospels. He had it memorized. For Jesus, it was His authority - His final word.  In Matthew 26. In the garden of Gethsemane. They’re arresting Jesus to take Him to be crucified! Peter pulls out his sword and Jesus says,“Peter, put down your sword. I could call legions of angels. But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” At a time like that, - he based everything in his life on the Scripture! He did everything according to the Scripture … all of his decisions, all of his plans, all of his actions.  Remember when he was tempted in the desert by the Devil, every single time what does he say? “It is written.” Every time he quotes the Scripture. In fact, one time he actually said to the Devil, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then when he actually gets on the cross and when he is in the absolute greatest possible agony of body and soul, what does He do, he quotes Psalm 22:1. He says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He quotes Psalm 31:5. “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” He is quoting the scripture! At every moment of  Jesus’ life, even when He is at the absolute limit, you see his mind, heart, and life are so filled with the truths of scripture that it just constantly flowed out of him.

Why Memorize Scripture?
By emulating Jesus’ practice of memorizing and internalizing scripture, we equip ourselves with a powerful tool for spiritual growth, defense against temptation, and effective ministry to others. In the process we grow closer to the heart of God and reflect His love in our lives.

Ways to Practice Scripture Memorization:

1. Repetition and review: Start with 1 sentence or 1 verse a day: Read it 10 times, then recite it 10 times without looking. Add a sentence or verse each day/or each week. Review daily.
2. Write it down: Carry the verse on a small piece of paper in your pocket for easy review throughout the day or post it in a place you see throughout the day.
3. Visual aids: Write the verse on a whiteboard and gradually erase words as you memorize them.
4. First letter method: Write the first letter of each word on your hand as a memory prompt.
5. Use flashcards: Write verses on spiral note cards and review them regularly

Here’s some memorization ideas:
A verse: Psalm 119:11
A paragraph: Philippians 2:1-11
A Psalm: Psalm 23
A chapter: Romans 8
A book: 1 John

Resources for Scripture Memorization:
dwelldifferently.com - the student ministry uses this resource to memorize verses
The “Bible Memory” app on your phone
The Topical Memory System by Navigators
“There is No Substitute for Memorizing Scripture” from John Piper

What is Fasting?
Fasting during the Lenten season reminds us of our dependence on God. When we are full and satisfied, it’s easy to feel self-sufficient. But when we disrupt that comfort—introducing need, lack, and dependence—our eyes naturally turn to God. Physical discomfort awakens us to our body’s reliance on food, which ultimately points to our deeper, spiritual dependency on God in all areas of our lives.

Jesus and Fasting
Jesus Himself fasted, modeling for us a life of dependence on God. Before beginning His ministry, He withdrew into the wilderness for forty days, seeking God’s guidance. Matthew 4:1-4 tells us: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Not only did Jesus fast, but He also taught us how to fast with the right heart posture. In Matthew 6:16-18, He warns against fasting for show: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Fasting is not about outward appearances—it’s about an inward posture of humility and devotion. It’s an act of drawing near to God, trusting Him to sustain us, and allowing Him to fill the spaces we create.

Why Fast? 
Fasting is more than simply giving something up—it’s an invitation to feast on God’s presence. I’ve heard it taught that fasting is giving up something we love for something we love more. Bible teacher Jada Edwards explains it this way: “The purpose of fasting is to strip away physical comfort, in order to be more available in a spiritual capacity.” By intentionally setting aside something we enjoy, we create space to focus on what truly sustains us—not food, entertainment, or comfort, but God Himself. When we fast, we position ourselves to hear God more clearly and pray with a deeper awareness of our need for Him. The practice of fasting is an opportunity to surrender distractions and seek Jesus with our whole heart. Whether you fast from a particular food, social media, or another comfort, may your hunger lead you to the One who truly satisfies.

Ways to Practice Fasting: 
1. Fast from a meal each day this week
2. Fast from a food or category of food that you love
3. Fast from social media
4. Fast from any drink other than water
5. Fast from unnecessary spending
6. Fast from TV or movies

Resources for Fasting:
“Fasting for Beginners” from Desiring God

“The Place for Fasting in the Christian Life" from the CS Lewis Institute

"We need to Stop Using Substitutes for God" Jada Edwards Podcast (similar in theme)

Throughout church history, Lent has been a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a time to draw near to God, preparing our hearts to fully embrace the hope of the Resurrection on Easter. One of the most powerful ways to engage with Lent is through the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines. “Spiritual Disciplines” can sound intimidating and daunting - but what we’re talking about is adopting the spiritual habits of Jesus into our daily lives. Jesus invited people to follow him. This meant spending time together and growing in a relationship but it also meant patterning one’s life after His in every way. We, as his followers today, still do this: we walk with Jesus and adopt his spiritual practices into our lives. Jesus taught about and lived a life grounded in a real, experiential, relationship with God. For each week of Lent, our desire is to practice a different Spiritual Discipline as a community.
 
What are the Spiritual Disciplines?  Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, describes the Spiritual Disciplines as the “Door to Liberation.” We don’t tend to put discipline and liberation in the same sentence. We tend to think of freedom as that ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want, with whomever we want.  A Christian vision of freedom is very different. Freedom is living in-line with how our loving Creator designed us to live, which first and foremost involves an intimate relationship with Him.  These practices (habits)—which include, but are not limited to, sabbath, fasting, solitude, Scripture memory, worship, confession and generosity—are not burdensome tasks but pathways to freedom. They are not about earning God’s favor but about positioning ourselves to receive His transforming grace. Through them, we cultivate a life that is open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, breaking free from the patterns of sin and self-reliance that so easily entangle us.
The beauty of the Disciplines is that they create space for God to work within us. Just as a farmer does not force plants to grow but instead tends the soil to make growth possible, we engage in the Disciplines to create conditions where God’s grace can flourish in our lives. This is the heart of transformation into Christlikeness—cooperating with the Spirit so that Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19).

1 Timothy 4:7-8 “…Train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Just as an athlete undergoes rigorous training to develop strength, endurance, and skill, so too are we called to train ourselves for godliness through the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines. No athlete expects to succeed without discipline—without intentional effort, repetition, and perseverance. They push their bodies beyond comfort, knowing that true growth requires commitment. In the same way, the Disciplines shape our spiritual lives. Through prayer, fasting, Scripture meditation, worship, and other disciplines we train our hearts and minds to seek God above all else, deepening our love for Him and our dependence on His grace.

Yet, there is a key difference. While an athlete’s success is ultimately measured by personal achievement—speed, strength, or victory—our spiritual growth is not about self-improvement or performance. Rather, it is about surrender. The Spiritual Disciplines are not a means to control our own transformation but a way to yield ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We do not train to become more self-sufficient; we train to become more reliant on Christ. Our “success” is not in our effort alone but in the work God does in us as we make ourselves available to Him.

One practical tip: don’t try this on your own. This journey is meant to be travelled together. Consider asking another (i.e. a friend, spouse, child, mentor, mentee, etc.) to go through these Lent practices with you. Why? For encouragement, prayer, support, and sharing. These practices won’t be easy - adopting a new habit never is. But every journey is better when travelled together.  

Below is the schedule of the disciplines we’ll practice. More information, insights, and practical tips about each discipline can be found in the following pages.

• Week 1 - (March 3-8) - Fasting
• Week 2 - (March 10-15) - Scripture Memory and Meditation
• Week 3 - (March 17-22) - Worship
• Week 4 - (March 24-29) - Solitude
• Week 5 - (March 31-April 5) - Generosity
• Week 6 - (April 7 - 12) - Sabbath
• Week 7 - (April 14-19) - Confession

As we journey through Lent, we invite you to embrace a different Discipline each week as a gift, not an obligation. Let us enter into each discipline with expectant hearts, knowing that through them, God is drawing us into deeper joy and freedom in Him.