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Lent is a season of preparation leading to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter. It’s forty days long, not counting Sundays since every Sunday is a little Easter.

Many people give up something for Lent. (dessert, alcohol, bread, smoking, candy, meat, cursing, gambling, etc.) They fast a certain food or habit in remembrance of Jesus’ forty-day fast at the beginning of his ministry. Some folks use this fast to jumpstart a permanent fast of an unhealthy habit.

Other folks choose to start a holy or wholesome habit for Lent. (prayer, charitable giving, service to others, stillness, sabbath, fasting, regular worship attendance, etc.)

If you aren’t already reading scripture on a regular basis, I encourage you to chose this holy habit for Lent with the hopes it will become a regular part of your life.

Below you’ll find a Bible Reading Plan for Lent based on the Gospel of Matthew. It contains 30 Lenten readings (5 per week for 6 weeks starting on the first Sunday of Lent) plus 10 Easter readings about Jesus’ post-resurrection encounters. (5 per week for 2 weeks). These readings fit nicely in a two-month grouping.

I hope the reading plan is helpful for you. I’d love to hear how you’re using it. – Lisa <><

PS- If you don’t own a Bible, or need a translation of the Bible which is easy to read, consider using Bible Gateway. This is a free website and app with many excellent translations. (I like NRSV and The Voice) Click Here for a video demonstrating the site.

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the reading plan suitable for printing. 

Use these prompts as you read each Scripture.
ATTENTION: Read or listen to the Scripture. What word, phrase or verse captures your attention? Underline it or copy it onto a piece of paper.

CONNECTION: What connections do you see to other scriptures? To your own experience or current situation? To the character or promises of God?

ACTION: What is God inviting you to say or do? How will your life be different because of this scripture?

PRAY: Talk to God about what you just experienced or anything else on your heart.

Week 1 of Lent: March 1 – March 7

• Matthew 1
• Matthew 2
• Matthew 3
• Matthew 4
• Matthew 5

Week 2 of Lent: March 8 – March 14

• Matthew 6
• Matthew 7
• Matthew 8
• Matthew 9
• Matthew 10

Week 3 of Lent: March 15 – March 21

• Matthew 11
• Matthew 12
• Matthew 13
• Matthew 14
• Matthew 15

Week 4 of Lent: March 22 – March 28

• Matthew 16
• Matthew 17
• Matthew 18
• Matthew 19
• Matthew 20

Week 5 of Lent: March 29 –  April 4

• Matthew 21
• Matthew 22
• Matthew 23
• Matthew 24
• Matthew 25

Holy Week: April 5 – April 11

• Matthew 26:1-35
• Matthew 26:36-56
• Matthew 26:57-75
• Matthew 27:1-31
• Matthew 27:32-66

Week 1 of Easter: April 12 – April 18

• John 20:1-18
• John 20:19-31
• John 21:1-14
• John 21:15-25
• Mark 16

Week 2 of Easter: April 19 – April 25

• Luke 24:1-12
• Luke 24:13-35
• Luke 24:36-53
• Matthew 28:1-10
• Matthew 28:11-20

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A Bible Reading Plan for Lent, based on the Gospel of Matthew
© 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work with proper attribution. (by Lisa Degrenia http://www.revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.