Ashes to Ashes

Would you willingly let someone smear ashes on your head?

Each year on Ash Wednesday (February 25^th this year), Christians around the world attend Ash Wednesday services. Part of the church service includes smearing ashes on the participant’s forehead. This is done to remember the death of Jesus, express sorrow for our sin, acknowledge the need for repentance and our dependence upon Jesus for a right relationship with God.

 Ash Wednesday launches Lent, the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. Lent is a time of somber reflection, and so Sundays are not counted because Sundays are not somber, but rather joyful celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection.

 Most Wesleyan Churches do not recognize Lent in a formal way; however the Lenten season provides rich learning and service opportunities for your group. Lent reminds us that our salvation, which we sometimes take for granted, was costly. It reminds us that the outcome of sin is death, and that death is painful and ugly. Lent offers an opportunity to consider Jesus’ willing sacrifice so that we would be set free from the power of sin and death.

 Sometimes people “give up” something for Lent. Some give up a particular food or activity they enjoy as identification with, and gratitude for the suffering of Jesus. Individuals then give the money saved from their self-denial to people in need or to a worthy project.

 For Lent this year, your group might consider collecting a Lenten offering or giving up a Saturday to help an organization or person in your community. Lent helps us identify with Jesus, and what better way to identify with Him than to offer to help someone in His name?

Tags: Disciple Groups, sunday school

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