Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year C (04-06-25)
Letting Go, Pressing On: Following Christ with Freedom
Sunday Readings:• First Reading: Isaiah 43:16–21 – God reminds His people of His past miracles but calls them to see the new thing He is doing now—bringing life to the wilderness.• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6 – “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” A song of restoration, turning tears into joy.• Second Reading: Philippians 3:8–14 – St. Paul counts all things as loss compared to knowing Christ. He forgets what lies behind and presses on toward the goal.• Gospel: John 8:1–11 – The woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus. Instead of condemnation, she receives mercy and a call to live differently.
Key Theme: Letting Go of the Past to Follow Jesus More FullyLent is a season of turning toward God—but sometimes that means turning away from what holds us back: old sins, past hurts, pride, fear, or guilt. In today’s readings, God invites us to trust that He is doing something new. Paul urges us to press on in faith, and Jesus shows mercy—not condemnation—to a woman burdened by her past.
Big Takeaway:God’s mercy doesn’t just free us from sin—it frees us for new life. Like Paul, like the woman in the Gospel, we are invited to let go of what weighs us down and move forward with hope.
Letting go isn’t easy. But it’s worth it when the One calling us forward is Christ.
Key Theme: Letting Go of the Past to Follow Jesus More FullyLent is a season of turning toward God—but sometimes that means turning away from what holds us back: old sins, past hurts, pride, fear, or guilt. In today’s readings, God invites us to trust that He is doing something new. Paul urges us to press on in faith, and Jesus shows mercy—not condemnation—to a woman burdened by her past.
Big Takeaway:God’s mercy doesn’t just free us from sin—it frees us for new life. Like Paul, like the woman in the Gospel, we are invited to let go of what weighs us down and move forward with hope.
Letting go isn’t easy. But it’s worth it when the One calling us forward is Christ.
PREFACE
The Fifth Sunday of Lent draws us closer to the heart of the season—where conversion deepens and the Cross looms near. We’ve walked through weeks of reflection, sacrifice, and prayer. And now, the focus sharpens: what must we release in order to follow Christ more freely?
This Sunday’s readings invite us to do more than remember God’s past faithfulness. They ask us to recognize what He’s doing right now—in our lives, in our hearts, in our wilderness. They call us to let go of the familiar, the burdensome, the safe, and step forward in faith.
• Isaiah 43:16–21 opens with a reminder of God’s mighty deeds—parting the sea, making a way through the waters. But then comes the surprise: “Remember not the events of the past… see, I am doing something new!” God’s people are not meant to live off memories. He is a God of movement, of renewal. In the wilderness of exile, He is making rivers. In the dryness of routine or regret, He is still creating something new. • Psalm 126 gives voice to the soul’s longing and joy. It is a psalm of restoration—remembering when God reversed Israel’s fortunes, and asking Him to do it again. It speaks to anyone who has sown in tears and is still waiting to reap in joy. This is a psalm of patient hope, and a reminder that even in sorrow, God is planting something worth harvesting. • Philippians 3:8–14 is Paul at his most passionate. He declares that nothing—no status, no success, not even the pride of being “righteous”—compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. But this isn’t just theory. It’s a call to action. Paul urges us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the prize. The spiritual life is not about staying put. It’s about moving forward—sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully—but always toward Jesus. • John 8:1–11 brings mercy into flesh-and-blood reality. A woman caught in sin is dragged before Jesus, and her fate seems sealed. But Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules of shame and condemnation. With one question—“Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone”—He transforms a courtroom into a sanctuary. This isn’t just about avoiding judgment. It’s about the possibility of living differently, once mercy has touched your life.
Freedom Begins with Letting Go
These readings form a powerful invitation: Let go. Not just of sin, but of shame. Not just of bad habits, but of old identities. Not just of regrets, but of the belief that we are stuck. God is doing something new—and it may begin right where you feel most barren.
Paul didn’t look back at who he used to be. He pressed on. The woman in the Gospel didn’t stay buried in guilt. She walked away free. This is the holy momentum of Lent: God doesn’t want us to return to who we were. He wants us to become who we were always meant to be in Christ.
A Study to Walk With You
This Bible Study Guide is meant to help you pray with these Scriptures—not just read them. To enter into their world and let them speak to yours. Through reflection, prayer, and a few honest questions, may you discover the courage to let go of what weighs you down… and the grace to press on with joy.
Lent is a season of surrender—but also of surprise.
God is doing something new.
Can you see it?
This Sunday’s readings invite us to do more than remember God’s past faithfulness. They ask us to recognize what He’s doing right now—in our lives, in our hearts, in our wilderness. They call us to let go of the familiar, the burdensome, the safe, and step forward in faith.
• Isaiah 43:16–21 opens with a reminder of God’s mighty deeds—parting the sea, making a way through the waters. But then comes the surprise: “Remember not the events of the past… see, I am doing something new!” God’s people are not meant to live off memories. He is a God of movement, of renewal. In the wilderness of exile, He is making rivers. In the dryness of routine or regret, He is still creating something new. • Psalm 126 gives voice to the soul’s longing and joy. It is a psalm of restoration—remembering when God reversed Israel’s fortunes, and asking Him to do it again. It speaks to anyone who has sown in tears and is still waiting to reap in joy. This is a psalm of patient hope, and a reminder that even in sorrow, God is planting something worth harvesting. • Philippians 3:8–14 is Paul at his most passionate. He declares that nothing—no status, no success, not even the pride of being “righteous”—compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. But this isn’t just theory. It’s a call to action. Paul urges us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the prize. The spiritual life is not about staying put. It’s about moving forward—sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully—but always toward Jesus. • John 8:1–11 brings mercy into flesh-and-blood reality. A woman caught in sin is dragged before Jesus, and her fate seems sealed. But Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules of shame and condemnation. With one question—“Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone”—He transforms a courtroom into a sanctuary. This isn’t just about avoiding judgment. It’s about the possibility of living differently, once mercy has touched your life.
Freedom Begins with Letting Go
These readings form a powerful invitation: Let go. Not just of sin, but of shame. Not just of bad habits, but of old identities. Not just of regrets, but of the belief that we are stuck. God is doing something new—and it may begin right where you feel most barren.
Paul didn’t look back at who he used to be. He pressed on. The woman in the Gospel didn’t stay buried in guilt. She walked away free. This is the holy momentum of Lent: God doesn’t want us to return to who we were. He wants us to become who we were always meant to be in Christ.
A Study to Walk With You
This Bible Study Guide is meant to help you pray with these Scriptures—not just read them. To enter into their world and let them speak to yours. Through reflection, prayer, and a few honest questions, may you discover the courage to let go of what weighs you down… and the grace to press on with joy.
Lent is a season of surrender—but also of surprise.
God is doing something new.
Can you see it?
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,You are the God who makes all things new. In this season of Lent, help me to release what weighs me down—past mistakes, old hurts, unhealthy habits, and fear of the unknown. Open my heart to Your voice and my eyes to Your mercy. Let me not just hear Your Word, but be transformed by it.As I walk with Christ toward the Cross, teach me to press on in hope, to strain forward with faith, and to rest in the knowledge that You are always leading me toward life.Amen.
1. “See, I Am Doing Something New” (Isaiah 43:16–21)
God reminds the Israelites of the great miracles He performed in the past—parting the sea, making a path through the waters. But then He says something unexpected: “Remember not the events of the past… I am doing something new!”
Sometimes, we hold so tightly to what was—even the good things—that we miss what God is doing now. Lent invites us to pay attention to the new growth God is nurturing in us, even if it’s just beginning to sprout.
Discussion Questions:
• What “old ways” or patterns in your life might be holding you back from seeing what God is doing now? • Have you ever experienced something unexpectedly new and good after a time of loss or difficulty? • How can you stay spiritually alert to the “new things” God is doing—even in the ordinary?
Action Step:
This week, try a “new thing” in your spiritual life—whether it’s a prayer walk, reading a psalm each morning, or journaling one sign of hope each day.
2. “Those Who Sow in Tears…” (Psalm 126:1–6)
This psalm is for anyone who has waited, prayed, and wept. It remembers the joy of God’s past restorations and trusts in His future faithfulness. “Those who sow in tears will reap with joy.” Even if joy feels far off, the seeds are already in the ground.
Discussion Questions:
• What are you sowing in tears right now? Where are you longing for restoration? • How has God brought joy after sorrow in your past? • What does it mean to trust that joy is growing even when you can’t yet see it?
Action Step:
Each day this week, thank God for one small “seed” of joy or peace—even if your season still feels hard. Watch for how those seeds grow.
3. “I Press On…” (Philippians 3:8–14)
St. Paul shares his passion and his priorities: to know Christ—not just in glory, but in suffering and resurrection. He admits he hasn’t “arrived,” but he presses on, letting go of what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
Lent is a time to let go—not out of guilt, but out of desire for something greater. What holds you back from pursuing Christ more fully?
Discussion Questions:
• What might God be asking you to “let go” of this Lent? • What would it look like to press on spiritually in this season of your life? • How do you relate to Paul’s honesty about not being “there yet”?
Action Step:
Name one thing—an attitude, habit, or fear—that is keeping you from pressing toward Christ. Offer it to God in prayer each day this week and ask for grace to release it.
4. “Neither Do I Condemn You…” (John 8:1–11)
A woman caught in sin is dragged before Jesus. The crowd demands justice. But Jesus turns their demand into a mirror: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” And one by one, they walk away.
This isn’t just a story about the woman—it’s about all of us. Jesus doesn’t ignore sin, but He meets it with mercy. And He invites her—and us—not to shame, but to new life.
Discussion Questions:
• When have you felt judged by others—or by yourself? • What does it feel like to receive mercy instead of condemnation? • How can you extend mercy this week—to someone else, or to yourself?
Action Step:
Practice the “no-stone rule”: when you’re tempted to criticize someone (including yourself), pause. Pray instead, “Jesus, help me to love with mercy.”
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Watch for Newness – Ask God to show you where He is making “something new” in your life. 2. Sow with Hope – Trust that your tears today are watering seeds of future joy. 3. Let Go to Press On – Release what holds you back, and move forward in faith—even one step at a time. 4. Live Mercy – Choose mercy over judgment in your thoughts, words, and relationships. 5. Stay in the Story – Return to these Scriptures throughout the week. Let God’s Word walk with you.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for Freedom and Forward Faith
Jesus,You never asked for perfection—only faith.You didn’t tell the woman caught in sin to prove herself. You simply said, “Go, and sin no more.”Help me hear those words for myself.Free me from shame that keeps me stuck.Free me from pride that makes me forget my need.Free me from fear that says change isn’t possible.
I want to press on.Not because I have all the answers, but because I have seen Your mercy.I trust You are doing something new, even now.Give me courage to walk toward it—one day, one choice, one prayer at a time.Amen.
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: Which of this week’s readings spoke most personally to you? Why? • Discussion: Use the questions in each section to guide conversation. • Group Challenge: Choose one person or situation this week where you’ll intentionally respond with mercy instead of judgment. Share next week how it went.
Final Word: What Will You Leave Behind?The woman left her shame.Paul left his pride.The psalmist left his sorrow.The Israelites left the wilderness.
What will you leave behind… so you can press on?
This week, walk free. Press on. Let grace do what only grace can do.
Heavenly Father,You are the God who makes all things new. In this season of Lent, help me to release what weighs me down—past mistakes, old hurts, unhealthy habits, and fear of the unknown. Open my heart to Your voice and my eyes to Your mercy. Let me not just hear Your Word, but be transformed by it.As I walk with Christ toward the Cross, teach me to press on in hope, to strain forward with faith, and to rest in the knowledge that You are always leading me toward life.Amen.
1. “See, I Am Doing Something New” (Isaiah 43:16–21)
God reminds the Israelites of the great miracles He performed in the past—parting the sea, making a path through the waters. But then He says something unexpected: “Remember not the events of the past… I am doing something new!”
Sometimes, we hold so tightly to what was—even the good things—that we miss what God is doing now. Lent invites us to pay attention to the new growth God is nurturing in us, even if it’s just beginning to sprout.
Discussion Questions:
• What “old ways” or patterns in your life might be holding you back from seeing what God is doing now? • Have you ever experienced something unexpectedly new and good after a time of loss or difficulty? • How can you stay spiritually alert to the “new things” God is doing—even in the ordinary?
Action Step:
This week, try a “new thing” in your spiritual life—whether it’s a prayer walk, reading a psalm each morning, or journaling one sign of hope each day.
2. “Those Who Sow in Tears…” (Psalm 126:1–6)
This psalm is for anyone who has waited, prayed, and wept. It remembers the joy of God’s past restorations and trusts in His future faithfulness. “Those who sow in tears will reap with joy.” Even if joy feels far off, the seeds are already in the ground.
Discussion Questions:
• What are you sowing in tears right now? Where are you longing for restoration? • How has God brought joy after sorrow in your past? • What does it mean to trust that joy is growing even when you can’t yet see it?
Action Step:
Each day this week, thank God for one small “seed” of joy or peace—even if your season still feels hard. Watch for how those seeds grow.
3. “I Press On…” (Philippians 3:8–14)
St. Paul shares his passion and his priorities: to know Christ—not just in glory, but in suffering and resurrection. He admits he hasn’t “arrived,” but he presses on, letting go of what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
Lent is a time to let go—not out of guilt, but out of desire for something greater. What holds you back from pursuing Christ more fully?
Discussion Questions:
• What might God be asking you to “let go” of this Lent? • What would it look like to press on spiritually in this season of your life? • How do you relate to Paul’s honesty about not being “there yet”?
Action Step:
Name one thing—an attitude, habit, or fear—that is keeping you from pressing toward Christ. Offer it to God in prayer each day this week and ask for grace to release it.
4. “Neither Do I Condemn You…” (John 8:1–11)
A woman caught in sin is dragged before Jesus. The crowd demands justice. But Jesus turns their demand into a mirror: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” And one by one, they walk away.
This isn’t just a story about the woman—it’s about all of us. Jesus doesn’t ignore sin, but He meets it with mercy. And He invites her—and us—not to shame, but to new life.
Discussion Questions:
• When have you felt judged by others—or by yourself? • What does it feel like to receive mercy instead of condemnation? • How can you extend mercy this week—to someone else, or to yourself?
Action Step:
Practice the “no-stone rule”: when you’re tempted to criticize someone (including yourself), pause. Pray instead, “Jesus, help me to love with mercy.”
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Watch for Newness – Ask God to show you where He is making “something new” in your life. 2. Sow with Hope – Trust that your tears today are watering seeds of future joy. 3. Let Go to Press On – Release what holds you back, and move forward in faith—even one step at a time. 4. Live Mercy – Choose mercy over judgment in your thoughts, words, and relationships. 5. Stay in the Story – Return to these Scriptures throughout the week. Let God’s Word walk with you.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for Freedom and Forward Faith
Jesus,You never asked for perfection—only faith.You didn’t tell the woman caught in sin to prove herself. You simply said, “Go, and sin no more.”Help me hear those words for myself.Free me from shame that keeps me stuck.Free me from pride that makes me forget my need.Free me from fear that says change isn’t possible.
I want to press on.Not because I have all the answers, but because I have seen Your mercy.I trust You are doing something new, even now.Give me courage to walk toward it—one day, one choice, one prayer at a time.Amen.
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: Which of this week’s readings spoke most personally to you? Why? • Discussion: Use the questions in each section to guide conversation. • Group Challenge: Choose one person or situation this week where you’ll intentionally respond with mercy instead of judgment. Share next week how it went.
Final Word: What Will You Leave Behind?The woman left her shame.Paul left his pride.The psalmist left his sorrow.The Israelites left the wilderness.
What will you leave behind… so you can press on?
This week, walk free. Press on. Let grace do what only grace can do.
Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year C (03-30-25) A Feast of Mercy: Coming Home to the Father’s Embrace
Sunday Readings:
• First Reading: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 – Israel celebrates Passover in the Promised Land.• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 – “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”• Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – In Christ, we are a new creation, reconciled to God.• Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – The parable of the prodigal son and the forgiving father.
PREFACE
Lent reaches a turning point on this Fourth Sunday—traditionally called Laetare Sunday, a day to rejoice in the nearness of Easter and the promise of redemption. This is not a joy that ignores the struggles of repentance, but one that grows out of our growing confidence in the mercy of God. It is the joy of knowing we can come home.
The readings this Sunday lead us into a deeper understanding of reconciliation—not as a cold transaction, but as a celebration, a homecoming, and a complete restoration of relationship with God.
• In Joshua 5:9a, 10-12, we witness a powerful moment of transition: the Israelites, having left the wilderness behind, celebrate the Passover in the Promised Land. No longer do they eat manna; they now partake of the produce of the land. This signals not just a change in diet, but a change in identity—from wanderers to a settled people, from survivors to stewards of God’s promise.
• Psalm 34 echoes the joy and relief of those who have been rescued: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me.” It is a personal testimony of one who has tasted the goodness of God and invites others to do the same.
• In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, St. Paul declares a bold truth: In Christ, we are made new. Through His sacrifice, God has reconciled the world to Himself—and now entrusts us with that same ministry of reconciliation. We are not only recipients of mercy; we are called to become messengers of it.
• And in Luke 15, Jesus tells the unforgettable story of the prodigal son—a son who wastes everything, hits rock bottom, and returns home with shame and uncertainty. But the father doesn’t meet him with scolding or conditions. He runs to him, embraces him, and throws a feast. This is what divine mercy looks like: not deserved, but freely given; not earned, but joyfully celebrated.
Mercy Is a Feast, Not a Formula
These readings are not about shame—they’re about celebration. God doesn’t merely tolerate our return; He rejoices in it. His mercy is not rationed—it is abundant. He doesn’t wait for us to prove ourselves before welcoming us home; He runs to meet us where we are.
But there’s also a challenge: like the older brother in the parable, we must examine whether we’ve hardened our hearts. Are we willing to celebrate when others receive mercy? Are we ready to be ambassadors of reconciliation in a divided and hurting world?
This Bible Study Guide is designed to help you encounter God’s mercy in a personal way—and to reflect on how you can extend that same mercy to others. Lent is more than a time of fasting. It is a time to come home—and help others do the same.
The readings this Sunday lead us into a deeper understanding of reconciliation—not as a cold transaction, but as a celebration, a homecoming, and a complete restoration of relationship with God.
• In Joshua 5:9a, 10-12, we witness a powerful moment of transition: the Israelites, having left the wilderness behind, celebrate the Passover in the Promised Land. No longer do they eat manna; they now partake of the produce of the land. This signals not just a change in diet, but a change in identity—from wanderers to a settled people, from survivors to stewards of God’s promise.
• Psalm 34 echoes the joy and relief of those who have been rescued: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me.” It is a personal testimony of one who has tasted the goodness of God and invites others to do the same.
• In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, St. Paul declares a bold truth: In Christ, we are made new. Through His sacrifice, God has reconciled the world to Himself—and now entrusts us with that same ministry of reconciliation. We are not only recipients of mercy; we are called to become messengers of it.
• And in Luke 15, Jesus tells the unforgettable story of the prodigal son—a son who wastes everything, hits rock bottom, and returns home with shame and uncertainty. But the father doesn’t meet him with scolding or conditions. He runs to him, embraces him, and throws a feast. This is what divine mercy looks like: not deserved, but freely given; not earned, but joyfully celebrated.
Mercy Is a Feast, Not a Formula
These readings are not about shame—they’re about celebration. God doesn’t merely tolerate our return; He rejoices in it. His mercy is not rationed—it is abundant. He doesn’t wait for us to prove ourselves before welcoming us home; He runs to meet us where we are.
But there’s also a challenge: like the older brother in the parable, we must examine whether we’ve hardened our hearts. Are we willing to celebrate when others receive mercy? Are we ready to be ambassadors of reconciliation in a divided and hurting world?
This Bible Study Guide is designed to help you encounter God’s mercy in a personal way—and to reflect on how you can extend that same mercy to others. Lent is more than a time of fasting. It is a time to come home—and help others do the same.
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,You are a God of compassion and joy. When we stray, You wait with open arms. When we return, You run to meet us. Thank You for the gift of reconciliation and the joy of coming home.Help us to see Your face in every act of mercy, to open our hearts to the healing You offer, and to live as new creations in Christ.May this time of reflection draw us deeper into Your love and closer to the joy of Easter.Amen.
Discussion & Reflection Guide
1. A New Beginning in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:9a, 10-12)
The Israelites finally cross into the Promised Land. After years of wandering, they celebrate the Passover on new ground. The manna from heaven stops, and they begin to eat the fruit of the land—a sign of God’s faithful promise fulfilled.
Discussion Questions:• What do you think it felt like for the Israelites to finally arrive and eat from the land?• Is there a time in your life when you’ve experienced a spiritual “new beginning”?• What “manna” do you rely on from God? Are you open to the new blessings He may be offering you?
Action Step:This week, reflect on how God has guided you through past seasons of difficulty or waiting. Give thanks for a promise He has fulfilled in your life.
2. Taste and See God’s Goodness (Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)
This psalm is a song of personal testimony: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me.” It invites us to experience God’s goodness firsthand, to cry out to Him and find freedom from fear.
Discussion Questions:• How have you experienced God’s goodness when you were in distress or fear?• Do you share your personal testimonies of God’s help with others? Why or why not?• What keeps you from “tasting and seeing” the goodness of the Lord more often?
Action Step:Write a short note or tell a friend one way God has answered your prayer recently. Share His goodness with someone who needs encouragement.
3. A New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
Paul reminds us that anyone in Christ is a new creation. God doesn’t hold our sins against us. Instead, He reconciles us through Christ and entrusts us with the mission of reconciliation.
Discussion Questions:• Do you believe you are truly a “new creation” in Christ? Why or why not?• How can you be an ambassador of reconciliation—in your family, workplace, or parish?• Are there broken relationships in your life that need healing?
Action Step:Reach out to someone you’ve been distant from or in conflict with. Take one step toward peace or forgiveness—even a prayer or a text can be a beginning.
4. The Prodigal Son: Mercy That Runs (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
This parable isn’t just about the younger son’s return; it’s about the father’s overwhelming love. The father doesn’t wait inside—he runs to meet his son. And the older brother? He’s invited too, even in his bitterness.
Discussion Questions:• Which character in this parable do you relate to most right now: the lost son, the waiting father, or the resentful brother?• What does this story teach us about how God sees us, even when we’ve failed?• What does “coming home to God” look like for you this Lent?
Action Step:Go to confession this week. If that’s not possible, spend time in prayer asking God’s forgiveness and thanking Him for running toward you with mercy.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness – Reflect on a promise God has fulfilled in your life. 2. Share a Testimony – Tell someone how God has helped you or answered a prayer. 3. Be a Peacemaker – Take one step toward healing a strained relationship. 4. Return to the Father – Examine where you’ve strayed and ask God for the grace to come home. 5. Live as a New Creation – Let go of shame or fear and walk in the freedom Christ offers.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer of Reconciliation
Father of Mercy,You never give up on me. Even when I wander, You wait with hope. Even when I hesitate, You run toward me. Thank You for loving me as I am—and calling me into something new.Help me to receive Your forgiveness fully and freely. Help me to forgive others and be a sign of Your mercy in the world.Let this Lent be a time of deep healing and joyful return.Amen.
Final Encouragement: Come Home to the Feast
The younger son thought he would return as a servant. Instead, he was welcomed as a son—with music, a feast, and joy.
This is God’s invitation to you today.
Come home. Be made new. Join the celebration.There is mercy. There is healing. There is a place for you at the Father’s table.
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: What image or phrase from the readings stayed with you this week?• Discussion: Use the questions in each section to go deeper.• Group Challenge: Choose one act of reconciliation or mercy to carry out together this week—such as writing notes of encouragement, visiting someone in need, or organizing a prayer time focused on healing and forgiveness.
Heavenly Father,You are a God of compassion and joy. When we stray, You wait with open arms. When we return, You run to meet us. Thank You for the gift of reconciliation and the joy of coming home.Help us to see Your face in every act of mercy, to open our hearts to the healing You offer, and to live as new creations in Christ.May this time of reflection draw us deeper into Your love and closer to the joy of Easter.Amen.
Discussion & Reflection Guide
1. A New Beginning in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:9a, 10-12)
The Israelites finally cross into the Promised Land. After years of wandering, they celebrate the Passover on new ground. The manna from heaven stops, and they begin to eat the fruit of the land—a sign of God’s faithful promise fulfilled.
Discussion Questions:• What do you think it felt like for the Israelites to finally arrive and eat from the land?• Is there a time in your life when you’ve experienced a spiritual “new beginning”?• What “manna” do you rely on from God? Are you open to the new blessings He may be offering you?
Action Step:This week, reflect on how God has guided you through past seasons of difficulty or waiting. Give thanks for a promise He has fulfilled in your life.
2. Taste and See God’s Goodness (Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)
This psalm is a song of personal testimony: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me.” It invites us to experience God’s goodness firsthand, to cry out to Him and find freedom from fear.
Discussion Questions:• How have you experienced God’s goodness when you were in distress or fear?• Do you share your personal testimonies of God’s help with others? Why or why not?• What keeps you from “tasting and seeing” the goodness of the Lord more often?
Action Step:Write a short note or tell a friend one way God has answered your prayer recently. Share His goodness with someone who needs encouragement.
3. A New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
Paul reminds us that anyone in Christ is a new creation. God doesn’t hold our sins against us. Instead, He reconciles us through Christ and entrusts us with the mission of reconciliation.
Discussion Questions:• Do you believe you are truly a “new creation” in Christ? Why or why not?• How can you be an ambassador of reconciliation—in your family, workplace, or parish?• Are there broken relationships in your life that need healing?
Action Step:Reach out to someone you’ve been distant from or in conflict with. Take one step toward peace or forgiveness—even a prayer or a text can be a beginning.
4. The Prodigal Son: Mercy That Runs (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
This parable isn’t just about the younger son’s return; it’s about the father’s overwhelming love. The father doesn’t wait inside—he runs to meet his son. And the older brother? He’s invited too, even in his bitterness.
Discussion Questions:• Which character in this parable do you relate to most right now: the lost son, the waiting father, or the resentful brother?• What does this story teach us about how God sees us, even when we’ve failed?• What does “coming home to God” look like for you this Lent?
Action Step:Go to confession this week. If that’s not possible, spend time in prayer asking God’s forgiveness and thanking Him for running toward you with mercy.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness – Reflect on a promise God has fulfilled in your life. 2. Share a Testimony – Tell someone how God has helped you or answered a prayer. 3. Be a Peacemaker – Take one step toward healing a strained relationship. 4. Return to the Father – Examine where you’ve strayed and ask God for the grace to come home. 5. Live as a New Creation – Let go of shame or fear and walk in the freedom Christ offers.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer of Reconciliation
Father of Mercy,You never give up on me. Even when I wander, You wait with hope. Even when I hesitate, You run toward me. Thank You for loving me as I am—and calling me into something new.Help me to receive Your forgiveness fully and freely. Help me to forgive others and be a sign of Your mercy in the world.Let this Lent be a time of deep healing and joyful return.Amen.
Final Encouragement: Come Home to the Feast
The younger son thought he would return as a servant. Instead, he was welcomed as a son—with music, a feast, and joy.
This is God’s invitation to you today.
Come home. Be made new. Join the celebration.There is mercy. There is healing. There is a place for you at the Father’s table.
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: What image or phrase from the readings stayed with you this week?• Discussion: Use the questions in each section to go deeper.• Group Challenge: Choose one act of reconciliation or mercy to carry out together this week—such as writing notes of encouragement, visiting someone in need, or organizing a prayer time focused on healing and forgiveness.
Third Sunday of Lent – Year C (03-23-25) A Season of Second Chances: Turning Back to God with a Renewed Heart
Sunday Readings:
• First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 – The call of Moses from the burning bush. • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 – “The Lord is kind and merciful.” • Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 – Learning from Israel’s mistakes. • Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 – The parable of the fig tree and the call to repentance.
• First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 – The call of Moses from the burning bush. • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 – “The Lord is kind and merciful.” • Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 – Learning from Israel’s mistakes. • Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 – The parable of the fig tree and the call to repentance.
PREFACE
Lent is more than a time of sacrifice—it is a season of transformation, a sacred invitation to return to God with sincerity and purpose. It is an opportunity to examine our lives, confront the areas where we have grown complacent, and embrace the mercy of a God who never stops calling us back to Him.
The readings for this Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) remind us that God is both patient and just. He calls, He warns, He nurtures, and He waits—but He also expects a response.
• In Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, we encounter a God who sees, who hears, and who acts. He appears to Moses in the burning bush, revealing His name—“I AM”—and calling Moses to lead His people out of slavery. This passage reminds us that God is not distant from our suffering. He is near, attentive, and actively working for our deliverance. • Psalm 103 reassures us that God is “slow to anger and abounding in kindness.” His mercy is not given sparingly but generously, not because we deserve it but because love is His very nature. • In 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, St. Paul warns us not to become complacent in our faith. The Israelites saw miracles—yet many still fell into sin. Paul’s words challenge us: Are we assuming we are spiritually secure while neglecting true repentance? • Finally, in Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree. The landowner is ready to cut it down, but the gardener pleads for more time: “Let me cultivate the soil and fertilize it. It may yet bear fruit.” This is a portrait of God’s mercy and patience, but also a reminder that we cannot remain fruitless forever.
Repentance Is Urgent, but God’s Mercy Is Abundant
These readings call us to examine our hearts with honesty. Are we responding to God’s voice? Are we bearing the fruit of a transformed life? Or are we standing still, assuming that we will always have time to change?
This Bible Study Guide is designed to help you engage with these themes in a personal and meaningful way.
✅ Hearing God’s Call – Where is God speaking to you? Have you been too distracted to notice?✅ Receiving His Mercy – Do you fully trust in God’s forgiveness, or do you still hold onto guilt and shame?✅ Learning from the Past – Have you repeated the same mistakes instead of growing in wisdom?✅ Bearing Fruit in Faith – Is your faith producing good works, or is it stagnant?
Lent is a gift—an invitation to renew your heart, change your habits, and deepen your faith. God does not call us to perfection, but He does call us to growth. Just as the gardener nurtures the fig tree, God is nurturing you—giving you time, grace, and everything you need to flourish.
But time is not infinite. Now is the moment to turn back to Him.
As you move through this study, ask yourself:
• Where have I grown complacent in my faith? • How is God inviting me to change? • What steps will I take to bear fruit in my spiritual life?
God is not asking you to have all the answers. He is simply asking you to respond.
May this study lead you to renewal, repentance, and a deeper experience of His mercy.
“The Lord is kind and merciful.” – Psalm 103:8
The readings for this Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) remind us that God is both patient and just. He calls, He warns, He nurtures, and He waits—but He also expects a response.
• In Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, we encounter a God who sees, who hears, and who acts. He appears to Moses in the burning bush, revealing His name—“I AM”—and calling Moses to lead His people out of slavery. This passage reminds us that God is not distant from our suffering. He is near, attentive, and actively working for our deliverance. • Psalm 103 reassures us that God is “slow to anger and abounding in kindness.” His mercy is not given sparingly but generously, not because we deserve it but because love is His very nature. • In 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, St. Paul warns us not to become complacent in our faith. The Israelites saw miracles—yet many still fell into sin. Paul’s words challenge us: Are we assuming we are spiritually secure while neglecting true repentance? • Finally, in Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree. The landowner is ready to cut it down, but the gardener pleads for more time: “Let me cultivate the soil and fertilize it. It may yet bear fruit.” This is a portrait of God’s mercy and patience, but also a reminder that we cannot remain fruitless forever.
Repentance Is Urgent, but God’s Mercy Is Abundant
These readings call us to examine our hearts with honesty. Are we responding to God’s voice? Are we bearing the fruit of a transformed life? Or are we standing still, assuming that we will always have time to change?
This Bible Study Guide is designed to help you engage with these themes in a personal and meaningful way.
✅ Hearing God’s Call – Where is God speaking to you? Have you been too distracted to notice?✅ Receiving His Mercy – Do you fully trust in God’s forgiveness, or do you still hold onto guilt and shame?✅ Learning from the Past – Have you repeated the same mistakes instead of growing in wisdom?✅ Bearing Fruit in Faith – Is your faith producing good works, or is it stagnant?
Lent is a gift—an invitation to renew your heart, change your habits, and deepen your faith. God does not call us to perfection, but He does call us to growth. Just as the gardener nurtures the fig tree, God is nurturing you—giving you time, grace, and everything you need to flourish.
But time is not infinite. Now is the moment to turn back to Him.
As you move through this study, ask yourself:
• Where have I grown complacent in my faith? • How is God inviting me to change? • What steps will I take to bear fruit in my spiritual life?
God is not asking you to have all the answers. He is simply asking you to respond.
May this study lead you to renewal, repentance, and a deeper experience of His mercy.
“The Lord is kind and merciful.” – Psalm 103:8
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You are the God of mercy and the Lord of second chances. Just as You called Moses by name, You call each of us to turn back to You, to bear fruit in our lives, and to trust in Your never-failing love. Open our hearts to Your voice, convict us where we need repentance, and renew us in Your grace.
May we leave this time changed—ready to walk in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
Discussion & Reflection Guide
1. God’s Call and Our Response (Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15)
Moses wasn’t looking for an encounter with God. He was tending his flock, living in exile, far from his former life in Egypt. Yet, in the ordinary, God appeared to him in the extraordinary: a bush that burned but was not consumed.
God called Moses by name. “Moses! Moses!” And Moses replied, “Here I am.”
God revealed Himself as “I AM,” the eternal and unchanging One. He heard the cries of His people and sent Moses to be His instrument of deliverance.
Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever sensed God calling you in an unexpected way? How did you respond? • Are there “holy ground” moments in your life—times when you have felt God’s presence clearly? • Where might God be calling you to step forward in faith, even if you feel unworthy or unprepared?
Action Step:
Be attentive to God’s voice this week—in prayer, in Scripture, and in everyday life. When you sense His call, respond as Moses did: “Here I am.”
2. The Lord is Merciful and Patient (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11)
Psalm 103 beautifully describes God’s unfailing love and mercy:
✅ He forgives our sins.✅ He heals our wounds.✅ He rescues us from destruction.✅ He crowns us with kindness.
Even when we fail, God is slow to anger and abounding in love.
Discussion Questions:
• Do I truly believe in God’s mercy, or do I struggle with guilt and shame? • How have I experienced God’s kindness and patience in my life? • How can I reflect God’s mercy and kindness to others this week?
Action Step:
Start a gratitude journal for Lent. Each day, write down one way God has been merciful or kind to you.
3. Learning from the Past: Warnings and Wisdom (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12)
Paul warns the Corinthians not to repeat the mistakes of Israel. Even those who saw miracles—crossing the Red Sea, receiving manna—still fell into sin.
Paul reminds us: “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.”
Discussion Questions:
• Do I sometimes assume I am spiritually strong without truly examining my heart? • Are there temptations or habits I’ve grown too comfortable with? • How can I remain humble and rely on God’s grace each day?
Action Step:
Each evening, pray:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
4. The Parable of the Fig Tree: Repentance and Second Chances (Luke 13:1-9)
Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree that had not borne fruit for three years. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener interceded:
“Leave it for one more year, and I will cultivate the ground and fertilize it. It may yet bear fruit.”
This is a powerful image of God’s patience with us. He nurtures us, gives us time, and provides what we need to grow.
But Jesus also reminds us: Repentance is urgent. Time is a gift, but it is not unlimited.
Discussion Questions:
• In what areas of my life am I failing to bear fruit? • Do I take God’s patience for granted, assuming I’ll always have more time? • How can I cooperate with God’s grace to grow spiritually?
Action Step:
Choose one concrete way to bear fruit this week—through an act of kindness, generosity, or spiritual discipline. Ask God to help you grow in that area.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Listen for God’s Call – Be attentive to holy ground moments in your daily life. Respond, “Here I am.” 2. Live Mercy – Practice forgiveness and kindness daily, as a reflection of God’s mercy. 3. Examine Your Heart – Take time for self-reflection each evening. Ask, Am I standing firm in faith, or am I drifting? 4. Repent with Purpose – Make a small but meaningful change in an area where you know God is calling you to grow. 5. Bear Fruit – Find a specific way to bring Christ’s love to someone this week.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for Renewal
Lord of second chances,
You are patient with me, tending the soil of my heart, giving me time to grow. But I do not want to waste the time You give me. Help me to recognize where I need to change, to turn away from sin, and to bear fruit in my life.
Thank You for Your mercy, for never giving up on me, and for calling me back to You again and again.
Help me to be faithful. Amen.
Final Encouragement: The Gift of Another Year
The fig tree was given another year—a chance to bear fruit.
God gives us this same grace. This Lent is our “another year.”
✅ A chance to change.✅ A chance to grow.✅ A chance to bear fruit.
Let’s not waste it. Let’s respond. Let’s cultivate what God has given us and live as people transformed by His mercy.
What will you do with the time God has given you?
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: What stood out to you in the readings this week? • Discussion: Use the questions in each section for deeper conversation. • Group Challenge: Choose one way to grow in faith together this Lent—a prayer commitment, an act of mercy, or a Scripture study.
This study is designed for individuals or small groups to reflect on God’s call to repentance and renewal. If this guide encouraged you, consider sharing it with others!
Heavenly Father,
You are the God of mercy and the Lord of second chances. Just as You called Moses by name, You call each of us to turn back to You, to bear fruit in our lives, and to trust in Your never-failing love. Open our hearts to Your voice, convict us where we need repentance, and renew us in Your grace.
May we leave this time changed—ready to walk in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
Discussion & Reflection Guide
1. God’s Call and Our Response (Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15)
Moses wasn’t looking for an encounter with God. He was tending his flock, living in exile, far from his former life in Egypt. Yet, in the ordinary, God appeared to him in the extraordinary: a bush that burned but was not consumed.
God called Moses by name. “Moses! Moses!” And Moses replied, “Here I am.”
God revealed Himself as “I AM,” the eternal and unchanging One. He heard the cries of His people and sent Moses to be His instrument of deliverance.
Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever sensed God calling you in an unexpected way? How did you respond? • Are there “holy ground” moments in your life—times when you have felt God’s presence clearly? • Where might God be calling you to step forward in faith, even if you feel unworthy or unprepared?
Action Step:
Be attentive to God’s voice this week—in prayer, in Scripture, and in everyday life. When you sense His call, respond as Moses did: “Here I am.”
2. The Lord is Merciful and Patient (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11)
Psalm 103 beautifully describes God’s unfailing love and mercy:
✅ He forgives our sins.✅ He heals our wounds.✅ He rescues us from destruction.✅ He crowns us with kindness.
Even when we fail, God is slow to anger and abounding in love.
Discussion Questions:
• Do I truly believe in God’s mercy, or do I struggle with guilt and shame? • How have I experienced God’s kindness and patience in my life? • How can I reflect God’s mercy and kindness to others this week?
Action Step:
Start a gratitude journal for Lent. Each day, write down one way God has been merciful or kind to you.
3. Learning from the Past: Warnings and Wisdom (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12)
Paul warns the Corinthians not to repeat the mistakes of Israel. Even those who saw miracles—crossing the Red Sea, receiving manna—still fell into sin.
Paul reminds us: “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.”
Discussion Questions:
• Do I sometimes assume I am spiritually strong without truly examining my heart? • Are there temptations or habits I’ve grown too comfortable with? • How can I remain humble and rely on God’s grace each day?
Action Step:
Each evening, pray:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
4. The Parable of the Fig Tree: Repentance and Second Chances (Luke 13:1-9)
Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree that had not borne fruit for three years. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener interceded:
“Leave it for one more year, and I will cultivate the ground and fertilize it. It may yet bear fruit.”
This is a powerful image of God’s patience with us. He nurtures us, gives us time, and provides what we need to grow.
But Jesus also reminds us: Repentance is urgent. Time is a gift, but it is not unlimited.
Discussion Questions:
• In what areas of my life am I failing to bear fruit? • Do I take God’s patience for granted, assuming I’ll always have more time? • How can I cooperate with God’s grace to grow spiritually?
Action Step:
Choose one concrete way to bear fruit this week—through an act of kindness, generosity, or spiritual discipline. Ask God to help you grow in that area.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Listen for God’s Call – Be attentive to holy ground moments in your daily life. Respond, “Here I am.” 2. Live Mercy – Practice forgiveness and kindness daily, as a reflection of God’s mercy. 3. Examine Your Heart – Take time for self-reflection each evening. Ask, Am I standing firm in faith, or am I drifting? 4. Repent with Purpose – Make a small but meaningful change in an area where you know God is calling you to grow. 5. Bear Fruit – Find a specific way to bring Christ’s love to someone this week.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for Renewal
Lord of second chances,
You are patient with me, tending the soil of my heart, giving me time to grow. But I do not want to waste the time You give me. Help me to recognize where I need to change, to turn away from sin, and to bear fruit in my life.
Thank You for Your mercy, for never giving up on me, and for calling me back to You again and again.
Help me to be faithful. Amen.
Final Encouragement: The Gift of Another Year
The fig tree was given another year—a chance to bear fruit.
God gives us this same grace. This Lent is our “another year.”
✅ A chance to change.✅ A chance to grow.✅ A chance to bear fruit.
Let’s not waste it. Let’s respond. Let’s cultivate what God has given us and live as people transformed by His mercy.
What will you do with the time God has given you?
For Small Groups
• Opening Question: What stood out to you in the readings this week? • Discussion: Use the questions in each section for deeper conversation. • Group Challenge: Choose one way to grow in faith together this Lent—a prayer commitment, an act of mercy, or a Scripture study.
This study is designed for individuals or small groups to reflect on God’s call to repentance and renewal. If this guide encouraged you, consider sharing it with others!
Second Sunday of Lent – Year C (03-16-25) HOPE IN GOD’S PROMISES
Sunday Readings:
• First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15 – God’s covenant with Noah, the promise of the rainbow. • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-9 – “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.” • Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22 – Christ’s suffering, salvation, and the waters of baptism. • Gospel: Mark 1:12-15 – Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and begins His ministry with a call to repentance.
• First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15 – God’s covenant with Noah, the promise of the rainbow. • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-9 – “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.” • Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22 – Christ’s suffering, salvation, and the waters of baptism. • Gospel: Mark 1:12-15 – Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and begins His ministry with a call to repentance.
PREFACE
Hope is not wishful thinking—it is confidence in God’s faithfulness. It is the belief that even when life is uncertain, even when storms rage and the path is unclear, God’s promises remain firm. From the beginning of time, He has made covenants with His people, not as temporary assurances but as eternal truths. He is a God who does not forget, who does not abandon, who does not fail.
Yet, hope is often tested in the wilderness of life. Noah endured the flood before seeing the rainbow. Abraham waited decades for a promise to be fulfilled. Mary faced uncertainty before witnessing the resurrection. Even Jesus, before beginning His ministry, was led into the wilderness. The pattern is clear—God’s promises do not shield us from struggle, but they sustain us through it.
This study invites us to reflect on the ways God speaks His hope into our lives. In Genesis, we see His covenant, reminding us that no storm lasts forever. In the Psalms, we learn that trust is not about knowing every step ahead but allowing God to lead. In 1 Peter, we are reminded that Christ’s sacrifice is greater than our failures. And in Mark’s Gospel, we find strength in the wilderness, knowing that trials are not the end but the beginning of something greater.
The question is not whether God is faithful—He always is. The real question is whether we will choose to trust Him, even when the rainbow is not yet visible, even when the road is difficult, even when we do not yet understand.
This journey is about more than just believing in God’s promises—it is about learning to live in them. It is about shifting our perspective from fear to faith, from doubt to trust, from despair to hope. It is about recognizing that every hardship can be a stepping stone to something greater if we allow God to work through it.
So as you begin this study, ask yourself: Where is God asking me to trust Him more? Where have I already seen His faithfulness in my life? How is He calling me to hold on to hope today?
God’s promises are not just for the past. They are for you. They are for now.
Even in the storm—hold on to hope. Because He who has promised is faithful. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are a God of promises—promises that never fail, even when life feels uncertain. In my struggles, remind me that You are near. In my doubts, strengthen my faith. In my temptations, guide my heart back to You. Speak to me today through Your Word, and help me to live with renewed hope. Amen.
Reflection Themes
1. Holding On to Hope (Genesis 9:8-15)
Imagine surviving a storm so devastating that it wipes out everything you know. Noah and his family must have felt overwhelming relief—but maybe also fear. What would life be like now? Could they trust God for the future? Then God placed a rainbow in the sky and made a promise: Never again.
Life’s storms can feel endless—financial struggles, broken relationships, health crises. We wonder, “Will this ever get better?” But like the rainbow, God gives us signs of hope.
A man once shared how he hit rock bottom—losing his job, his marriage falling apart. But little by little, through small kindnesses and unexpected help, he realized God was rebuilding his life. Looking back, he said, “Even when I thought I was alone, God was still working.”
• Reflection Question: When have I seen a “rainbow” in my life—a sign that God was still with me? • Action Step: Each night this week, I will write down one way God has provided for me, even in small ways. • Community Connection: Share a story with a friend or family member about a time God turned a hardship into a blessing.
2. Learning to Trust God’s Path (Psalm 25:4-9)
We love control. We want to know where life is headed, how things will work out. But Psalm 25 reminds us that it’s God who leads us—not the other way around.
A young woman once told how she was desperate to get a certain job. She prayed and prayed, but it didn’t happen. She was devastated—until, months later, she got a different opportunity that turned out to be exactly what she needed. “I realized,” she said, “that God wasn’t rejecting me. He was redirecting me.”
How often do we try to force our own way instead of asking, “God, where are You leading me?”
• Reflection Question: Do I really trust God with my future, or am I trying to control everything myself? • Action Step: Before making a decision this week, I will take a moment to pray: “Lord, lead me in Your truth.” • Community Connection: Ask someone you respect, “How has God guided you in unexpected ways?” Their story may inspire you.
3. Christ’s Love is Greater Than Our Failures (1 Peter 3:18-22)
Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered for us—not because we deserved it, but because He loves us. Sometimes, we struggle to believe that love. We think our failures disqualify us.
A man who had walked away from faith for years shared how he thought God wanted nothing to do with him. But when he finally turned back, he said, “I expected judgment, but I found mercy. I thought I had burned all my bridges, but Jesus was already waiting with open arms.”
God doesn’t love us because we’re perfect—He loves us despite our imperfections. Nothing we’ve done is greater than His grace.
• Reflection Question: Do I truly believe that God’s love is bigger than my mistakes? • Action Step: This week, I will pray and thank Jesus for His mercy, naming specific areas where I need His grace. • Community Connection: If someone you know is struggling with guilt or shame, remind them: “God’s mercy is always greater.”
4. Strength in the Wilderness (Mark 1:12-15)
Jesus’ journey didn’t begin with a parade—it began in the wilderness, battling temptation, hunger, and loneliness. And yet, it was in that struggle that His mission became clear.
A father struggling with addiction once said that the wilderness of his recovery was the hardest thing he ever faced. But he also said, “If I hadn’t gone through that, I never would have really learned how to rely on God.”
What if our wilderness moments—the painful, lonely, uncertain times—are actually where God is shaping us for something greater?
• Reflection Question: How is God working in my struggles right now? • Action Step: When I feel discouraged this week, I will pause and pray, “Lord, give me strength in this wilderness.” • Community Connection: Encourage someone who is facing a hard time. Let them know they are not alone.
Connecting the Readings to My Life
• When life feels overwhelming, I will look for God’s “rainbow”—His promise that He is with me. • Instead of forcing my own way, I will trust God’s guidance. • I will remember that Jesus’ love is greater than my worst mistakes. • I will see my struggles not as punishment, but as preparation for something greater.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Daily Gratitude – Each night, I will write down one way I saw God’s presence in my day. 2. Seeking Guidance – Before making a decision, I will ask God for direction. 3. Receiving and Giving Grace – I will accept God’s mercy and extend it to others. 4. Finding Strength in Trials – When I feel discouraged, I will turn to Scripture instead of my own worries. 5. Encouraging Others – I will reach out to someone who is struggling and remind them of God’s faithfulness.
Closing Prayer
Lord, in every season of my life—whether joyful or difficult—help me to trust You. When I feel lost, remind me that You are guiding me. When I feel unworthy, remind me of Your mercy. When I face trials, give me strength. Help me to see Your hand in my life, even when the path is unclear. May my life reflect the hope and love You have given me. Amen.
Final Encouragement
Life is full of unexpected twists, hardships, and moments of doubt. But through it all, God is faithful. His promises never fail, His love never wavers, and His presence never leaves us.
So when you find yourself in a storm—look for the rainbow. When you feel lost—trust His path. When you stumble—remember His mercy. And when you’re in the wilderness—know that He is preparing you for something greater.
Hold on to hope—because God always keeps His promises.
Yet, hope is often tested in the wilderness of life. Noah endured the flood before seeing the rainbow. Abraham waited decades for a promise to be fulfilled. Mary faced uncertainty before witnessing the resurrection. Even Jesus, before beginning His ministry, was led into the wilderness. The pattern is clear—God’s promises do not shield us from struggle, but they sustain us through it.
This study invites us to reflect on the ways God speaks His hope into our lives. In Genesis, we see His covenant, reminding us that no storm lasts forever. In the Psalms, we learn that trust is not about knowing every step ahead but allowing God to lead. In 1 Peter, we are reminded that Christ’s sacrifice is greater than our failures. And in Mark’s Gospel, we find strength in the wilderness, knowing that trials are not the end but the beginning of something greater.
The question is not whether God is faithful—He always is. The real question is whether we will choose to trust Him, even when the rainbow is not yet visible, even when the road is difficult, even when we do not yet understand.
This journey is about more than just believing in God’s promises—it is about learning to live in them. It is about shifting our perspective from fear to faith, from doubt to trust, from despair to hope. It is about recognizing that every hardship can be a stepping stone to something greater if we allow God to work through it.
So as you begin this study, ask yourself: Where is God asking me to trust Him more? Where have I already seen His faithfulness in my life? How is He calling me to hold on to hope today?
God’s promises are not just for the past. They are for you. They are for now.
Even in the storm—hold on to hope. Because He who has promised is faithful. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are a God of promises—promises that never fail, even when life feels uncertain. In my struggles, remind me that You are near. In my doubts, strengthen my faith. In my temptations, guide my heart back to You. Speak to me today through Your Word, and help me to live with renewed hope. Amen.
Reflection Themes
1. Holding On to Hope (Genesis 9:8-15)
Imagine surviving a storm so devastating that it wipes out everything you know. Noah and his family must have felt overwhelming relief—but maybe also fear. What would life be like now? Could they trust God for the future? Then God placed a rainbow in the sky and made a promise: Never again.
Life’s storms can feel endless—financial struggles, broken relationships, health crises. We wonder, “Will this ever get better?” But like the rainbow, God gives us signs of hope.
A man once shared how he hit rock bottom—losing his job, his marriage falling apart. But little by little, through small kindnesses and unexpected help, he realized God was rebuilding his life. Looking back, he said, “Even when I thought I was alone, God was still working.”
• Reflection Question: When have I seen a “rainbow” in my life—a sign that God was still with me? • Action Step: Each night this week, I will write down one way God has provided for me, even in small ways. • Community Connection: Share a story with a friend or family member about a time God turned a hardship into a blessing.
2. Learning to Trust God’s Path (Psalm 25:4-9)
We love control. We want to know where life is headed, how things will work out. But Psalm 25 reminds us that it’s God who leads us—not the other way around.
A young woman once told how she was desperate to get a certain job. She prayed and prayed, but it didn’t happen. She was devastated—until, months later, she got a different opportunity that turned out to be exactly what she needed. “I realized,” she said, “that God wasn’t rejecting me. He was redirecting me.”
How often do we try to force our own way instead of asking, “God, where are You leading me?”
• Reflection Question: Do I really trust God with my future, or am I trying to control everything myself? • Action Step: Before making a decision this week, I will take a moment to pray: “Lord, lead me in Your truth.” • Community Connection: Ask someone you respect, “How has God guided you in unexpected ways?” Their story may inspire you.
3. Christ’s Love is Greater Than Our Failures (1 Peter 3:18-22)
Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered for us—not because we deserved it, but because He loves us. Sometimes, we struggle to believe that love. We think our failures disqualify us.
A man who had walked away from faith for years shared how he thought God wanted nothing to do with him. But when he finally turned back, he said, “I expected judgment, but I found mercy. I thought I had burned all my bridges, but Jesus was already waiting with open arms.”
God doesn’t love us because we’re perfect—He loves us despite our imperfections. Nothing we’ve done is greater than His grace.
• Reflection Question: Do I truly believe that God’s love is bigger than my mistakes? • Action Step: This week, I will pray and thank Jesus for His mercy, naming specific areas where I need His grace. • Community Connection: If someone you know is struggling with guilt or shame, remind them: “God’s mercy is always greater.”
4. Strength in the Wilderness (Mark 1:12-15)
Jesus’ journey didn’t begin with a parade—it began in the wilderness, battling temptation, hunger, and loneliness. And yet, it was in that struggle that His mission became clear.
A father struggling with addiction once said that the wilderness of his recovery was the hardest thing he ever faced. But he also said, “If I hadn’t gone through that, I never would have really learned how to rely on God.”
What if our wilderness moments—the painful, lonely, uncertain times—are actually where God is shaping us for something greater?
• Reflection Question: How is God working in my struggles right now? • Action Step: When I feel discouraged this week, I will pause and pray, “Lord, give me strength in this wilderness.” • Community Connection: Encourage someone who is facing a hard time. Let them know they are not alone.
Connecting the Readings to My Life
• When life feels overwhelming, I will look for God’s “rainbow”—His promise that He is with me. • Instead of forcing my own way, I will trust God’s guidance. • I will remember that Jesus’ love is greater than my worst mistakes. • I will see my struggles not as punishment, but as preparation for something greater.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Daily Gratitude – Each night, I will write down one way I saw God’s presence in my day. 2. Seeking Guidance – Before making a decision, I will ask God for direction. 3. Receiving and Giving Grace – I will accept God’s mercy and extend it to others. 4. Finding Strength in Trials – When I feel discouraged, I will turn to Scripture instead of my own worries. 5. Encouraging Others – I will reach out to someone who is struggling and remind them of God’s faithfulness.
Closing Prayer
Lord, in every season of my life—whether joyful or difficult—help me to trust You. When I feel lost, remind me that You are guiding me. When I feel unworthy, remind me of Your mercy. When I face trials, give me strength. Help me to see Your hand in my life, even when the path is unclear. May my life reflect the hope and love You have given me. Amen.
Final Encouragement
Life is full of unexpected twists, hardships, and moments of doubt. But through it all, God is faithful. His promises never fail, His love never wavers, and His presence never leaves us.
So when you find yourself in a storm—look for the rainbow. When you feel lost—trust His path. When you stumble—remember His mercy. And when you’re in the wilderness—know that He is preparing you for something greater.
Hold on to hope—because God always keeps His promises.
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are my refuge, my strength, and my guide. When I face struggles, doubts, and temptations, remind me that You are always with me. Open my heart to trust in Your Word, my mind to remember Your faithfulness, and my spirit to stand firm in Your truth. Lead me closer to You, especially when I feel lost or weak. I place my life in Your hands. Amen.
Reflection Themes
1. Looking Back with Gratitude (Deuteronomy 26:4-10)
Think about a time when life felt overwhelming—when you didn’t know how things would work out. But somehow, here you are. Just as God rescued Israel from slavery, He has been working in your life, guiding you through challenges, even when you didn’t realize it.
A woman once shared how she struggled financially after losing her job. At the time, she felt abandoned by God. But looking back, she saw how He provided—through unexpected support from her parish, the kindness of fellow parishioners, and the strength to persevere. “At my lowest moment, my church family stepped in,” she said. “They helped with groceries, prayed with me, and reminded me that God was still in control.”
• Reflection Question: When have I seen God’s hand in my life? Do I take time to acknowledge His faithfulness? • Action Step: This week, I will start a gratitude list. Each day, I will write down one way God has blessed me—big or small. • Community Connection: Share one thing you’re grateful for with a friend or small group. Gratitude grows when spoken.
2. God, My Safe Place (Psalm 91:1-15)
Life can feel like a storm—problems piling up, worries growing heavier. But Psalm 91 reminds us: God is our shelter. He doesn’t promise an easy life, but He does promise to walk with us through every hardship. When fear creeps in, we can rest in Him.
A man diagnosed with a serious illness said that his greatest peace came not from doctors but from his nightly habit of praying Psalm 91. “It reminded me that no matter what happened, I was in God’s hands,” he said.
• Reflection Question: When I feel anxious or afraid, do I turn to God first, or do I try to handle everything on my own? • Action Step: Whenever fear or stress rises this week, I will pause, take a deep breath, and pray: “Lord, You are my refuge. I trust You.” • Community Connection: Ask someone you trust: “What helps you find peace in difficult times?” Learning from others can strengthen our faith.
3. Faith Is More Than Words (Romans 10:8-13)
Faith is not just something we believe in our hearts—it’s something we live out loud. Paul reminds us that salvation comes from believing and confessing Jesus as Lord. But how often do we keep our faith hidden? Sharing our faith doesn’t mean preaching on a street corner; it’s in the way we love, serve, and encourage others.
A woman working at a grocery store once noticed a customer in distress. Instead of ignoring it, she simply said, “You look like you’re having a rough day—can I pray for you?” That small act of faith changed the woman’s outlook and started a conversation about God.
• Reflection Question: Do people around me see Christ in the way I live? Am I willing to speak about my faith when the moment arises? • Action Step: This week, I will find one way to reflect Christ—through kindness, encouragement, or a simple conversation about faith. • Community Connection: Ask God to place someone in your path who needs encouragement. Be open to that moment.
4. Resisting Temptation Like Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Temptation doesn’t always come in obvious ways. Sometimes it’s the pull toward self-doubt, impatience, or seeking comfort in the wrong places. When Jesus was hungry and alone in the wilderness, the devil tempted Him to take the easy way out. But Jesus didn’t fight back with willpower—He fought back with Scripture.
A young man struggling with addiction found that every time he felt the urge to relapse, repeating a simple Bible verse—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)—gave him the strength to resist. He didn’t always win the battle instantly, but he kept returning to God’s Word as his anchor.
• Reflection Question: When I struggle, do I lean on God’s Word, or do I try to handle things my own way? • Action Step: I will choose one Bible verse this week to memorize—something I can turn to when I feel tempted, discouraged, or weak. • Community Connection: Write your chosen verse somewhere visible (phone wallpaper, mirror, notebook) to reinforce its power in your life.
Connecting the Readings to My Life
• God has been faithful in my past—so I can trust Him with my future. • When life feels chaotic, I can take refuge in God’s presence. • My faith should be visible—not just in what I say, but in how I live. • When facing trials, I don’t have to rely on my own strength—I can stand firm in God’s Word.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Start Each Day with Gratitude – I will write down one thing I’m thankful for each morning. 2. Pause and Pray When Stressed – When anxiety rises, I will stop and pray, remembering that God is my refuge. 3. Live My Faith Boldly – I will look for small ways to show Christ’s love—through words, kindness, or encouragement. 4. Hold onto Scripture – I will choose a Bible verse to memorize and lean on when I face struggles. 5. Share My Journey – I will open up to a friend or loved one about one way God is working in my life.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I know that life will bring challenges, but I also know that You are greater than any struggle I face. Help me to trust You more each day. When I am tempted to give up, remind me of Your promises. When I am afraid, remind me that You are my refuge. And when I doubt, fill my heart with faith. Let my life reflect Your goodness, so that others may see You in me. Amen.
Final Encouragement
This study invites you to slow down, reflect, and let these passages shape your heart. You are not alone—God is with you in every wilderness. Keep trusting, keep growing, and keep walking in His love. And if this study encouraged you, consider sharing what you’ve learned with someone else. Faith grows when we live it together.
Lord, You are my refuge, my strength, and my guide. When I face struggles, doubts, and temptations, remind me that You are always with me. Open my heart to trust in Your Word, my mind to remember Your faithfulness, and my spirit to stand firm in Your truth. Lead me closer to You, especially when I feel lost or weak. I place my life in Your hands. Amen.
Reflection Themes
1. Looking Back with Gratitude (Deuteronomy 26:4-10)
Think about a time when life felt overwhelming—when you didn’t know how things would work out. But somehow, here you are. Just as God rescued Israel from slavery, He has been working in your life, guiding you through challenges, even when you didn’t realize it.
A woman once shared how she struggled financially after losing her job. At the time, she felt abandoned by God. But looking back, she saw how He provided—through unexpected support from her parish, the kindness of fellow parishioners, and the strength to persevere. “At my lowest moment, my church family stepped in,” she said. “They helped with groceries, prayed with me, and reminded me that God was still in control.”
• Reflection Question: When have I seen God’s hand in my life? Do I take time to acknowledge His faithfulness? • Action Step: This week, I will start a gratitude list. Each day, I will write down one way God has blessed me—big or small. • Community Connection: Share one thing you’re grateful for with a friend or small group. Gratitude grows when spoken.
2. God, My Safe Place (Psalm 91:1-15)
Life can feel like a storm—problems piling up, worries growing heavier. But Psalm 91 reminds us: God is our shelter. He doesn’t promise an easy life, but He does promise to walk with us through every hardship. When fear creeps in, we can rest in Him.
A man diagnosed with a serious illness said that his greatest peace came not from doctors but from his nightly habit of praying Psalm 91. “It reminded me that no matter what happened, I was in God’s hands,” he said.
• Reflection Question: When I feel anxious or afraid, do I turn to God first, or do I try to handle everything on my own? • Action Step: Whenever fear or stress rises this week, I will pause, take a deep breath, and pray: “Lord, You are my refuge. I trust You.” • Community Connection: Ask someone you trust: “What helps you find peace in difficult times?” Learning from others can strengthen our faith.
3. Faith Is More Than Words (Romans 10:8-13)
Faith is not just something we believe in our hearts—it’s something we live out loud. Paul reminds us that salvation comes from believing and confessing Jesus as Lord. But how often do we keep our faith hidden? Sharing our faith doesn’t mean preaching on a street corner; it’s in the way we love, serve, and encourage others.
A woman working at a grocery store once noticed a customer in distress. Instead of ignoring it, she simply said, “You look like you’re having a rough day—can I pray for you?” That small act of faith changed the woman’s outlook and started a conversation about God.
• Reflection Question: Do people around me see Christ in the way I live? Am I willing to speak about my faith when the moment arises? • Action Step: This week, I will find one way to reflect Christ—through kindness, encouragement, or a simple conversation about faith. • Community Connection: Ask God to place someone in your path who needs encouragement. Be open to that moment.
4. Resisting Temptation Like Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Temptation doesn’t always come in obvious ways. Sometimes it’s the pull toward self-doubt, impatience, or seeking comfort in the wrong places. When Jesus was hungry and alone in the wilderness, the devil tempted Him to take the easy way out. But Jesus didn’t fight back with willpower—He fought back with Scripture.
A young man struggling with addiction found that every time he felt the urge to relapse, repeating a simple Bible verse—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)—gave him the strength to resist. He didn’t always win the battle instantly, but he kept returning to God’s Word as his anchor.
• Reflection Question: When I struggle, do I lean on God’s Word, or do I try to handle things my own way? • Action Step: I will choose one Bible verse this week to memorize—something I can turn to when I feel tempted, discouraged, or weak. • Community Connection: Write your chosen verse somewhere visible (phone wallpaper, mirror, notebook) to reinforce its power in your life.
Connecting the Readings to My Life
• God has been faithful in my past—so I can trust Him with my future. • When life feels chaotic, I can take refuge in God’s presence. • My faith should be visible—not just in what I say, but in how I live. • When facing trials, I don’t have to rely on my own strength—I can stand firm in God’s Word.
Practical Steps for the Week
1. Start Each Day with Gratitude – I will write down one thing I’m thankful for each morning. 2. Pause and Pray When Stressed – When anxiety rises, I will stop and pray, remembering that God is my refuge. 3. Live My Faith Boldly – I will look for small ways to show Christ’s love—through words, kindness, or encouragement. 4. Hold onto Scripture – I will choose a Bible verse to memorize and lean on when I face struggles. 5. Share My Journey – I will open up to a friend or loved one about one way God is working in my life.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I know that life will bring challenges, but I also know that You are greater than any struggle I face. Help me to trust You more each day. When I am tempted to give up, remind me of Your promises. When I am afraid, remind me that You are my refuge. And when I doubt, fill my heart with faith. Let my life reflect Your goodness, so that others may see You in me. Amen.
Final Encouragement
This study invites you to slow down, reflect, and let these passages shape your heart. You are not alone—God is with you in every wilderness. Keep trusting, keep growing, and keep walking in His love. And if this study encouraged you, consider sharing what you’ve learned with someone else. Faith grows when we live it together.