Lent? Should I do that?
“An overview for reflection”
What is Lent?
 A period
of reflection during the time
before Easter.
 Typically people usually “give up”
something.
 40 day period that begins on Ash
Wednesday and ends on Easter.
 Sundays are not counted in the calculation
of the 40 days.
History of Lent
 Some
discrepancy exists about when Lent
first began.
 Typically has been thought of as a
Catholic holiday.
 Lent began as a time to fast.

Fasting started out in the Catholic church as
no meat at all and over time has come to
mean no meat on Friday.
That’s great…..
What next??
Nate’s Three Levels of Lent
 “Do
Without Stage”
 “Jesus
Stage”
 “Others
Stage”
Do Without Stage
 Most
known and practiced stage.
 Includes giving things up such as soda,
chocolate, and other food.
 A great stage for both those who are new
to lent and those who have practiced it
before.
 For me this stage included (in different
years) giving up: candy, red meat, butter,
etc.
Jesus Stage
 This
stage is about strengthening your
relationship with Jesus.
 Also, this stage improves your Christian
walk.
 You can read the Bible more, pray more,
attend church more and so on.
 Think about giving up something that may
stand in the way of your Christian lifestyle:
cursing, alcohol, secular music, etc.
Others Stage
 All
about helping others!
 The sacrifice in this stage is time.
 Find a place to volunteer and make a
commitment to help regularly.
 This stage helps not only you but
someone else too.
Review of Stages
 These
stages are not a hierarchy.
 More than one stage can be done at a
time.
 Each stage takes a certain amount of
commitment.
 The goal is to make a small sacrifice
that will remind you of Jesus’ amazing
sacrifice.
I’m giving up _____.
So now what do I do?
Just a few things!
 Follow
through and stay committed!!!!
 When you want to eat or do what you gave
up PRAY!
 Make time for things you have decided to
add into your life.
 Make your Lent decision a priority.
Fast how Jesus wants us to!
 Mathew

6: 16 – 18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites
do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are
fasting…But when you fast, put oil on your head and
wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men
you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is
unseen…”
Wrap Up!
 Participating
in Lent will be a challenge,
but a rewarding one.
 Talk to others who are participating in
Lent.
 Above all else PRAY about your decision.
 Do what you think the Lord is telling you.
Further Information
 Check
out University of Miami UM Wesley
for a copy of this presentation.

www.umwesley.org
Contact Nate Adams with any questions!
nathan@umwesley.org
305-284-2766
Good luck and God bless!
Web sites used

http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/lent.htm

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=27718

http://www.spirithome.com/lent.html

http://www.cresourcei.org/cylent.html

http://www.kencollins.com/holy-04.htm

http://www.umc.org