Lent is an excellent time to experiment with the practice of devotions. There are lots of different resources for devotions during Lent. One of these resources will be a series of devotions based on the promises we make at baptism that become for us gifts of discipleship to strengthen our faith.
In the ELCA’s explanation of the 5 gifts of discipleship we read:
When a baptized Christian affirms the faith (often called confirmation) the presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of baptism and asks the question: Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
- To live among God’s faithful people,
- to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
- to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
- to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
- and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
Response: We do, and ask God to help and guide us. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 236)
And so begins a daily claiming and re-discovering of the God-given gifts of discipleship. These gifts overlap and are intertwined as one gift flows into another and into faithful living.
from: Living our Baptism…Five Gifts of Discipleship during Lent written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade
Copyright © 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America www.elca.org/faithpractices
During the season of Lent, we will focus on these 5 gifts of discipleship as we strive to “Live out our baptism” based on the book of Philippians. A devotion (including a scripture, a discussion question and a prayer) will be posted each Monday during Lent. You might want to read through the book of Philippians on your own during this season.