Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

A World Worth Saving: Lenten Spiritual Practices for Action
A World Worth Saving: Lenten Spiritual Practices for Action
A World Worth Saving: Lenten Spiritual Practices for Action
Ebook114 pages1 hour

A World Worth Saving: Lenten Spiritual Practices for Action

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

God thinks the world is worth saving. When we are close to God, we too will want to save the world.

For anyone who dismisses Lent as a seemingly endless time of self-sacrifice and introspection, this 6-week study for Lent offers a breath of fresh air. It connects prayer and other inner spiritual practices with outward actions of mercy and compassion.

George Donigian guides you to grow in your prayer life by praying about daily news reports, discovering the needs around you, and responding with love and compassion. You will discover ways to:

  • serve others
  • feed the hungry
  • seek justice and fight injustice
  • offer healing
  • extend friendship

The author's conversational style and use of well-known hymn texts will engage you in this energizing Lenten study. This book includes exercises for spiritual growth, questions for reflection, and a Leader's Guide for small groups

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 1, 2013
ISBN9780835812139
A World Worth Saving: Lenten Spiritual Practices for Action
Author

George Hovaness Donigian

George Hovaness Donigian, a native of Hopewell, Virginia, graduated from Berry College and Emory University. Ordained in The United Methodist Church, Donigian served as a pastor in Virginia and now in South Carolina. Between his pastoral appointments in Virginia and South Carolina, he spent 21 years in Christian publishing at The United Methodist Publishing House and at the General Board of Discipleship (now Discipleship Ministries). He is married to the Rev. Mary Teasley, also a United Methodist pastor in South Carolina. The Author's lives in Anderson, South Carolina.

Related to A World Worth Saving

Related ebooks

Holidays For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for A World Worth Saving

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    A World Worth Saving - George Hovaness Donigian

    WEEK 1

    Fasting from Apathy

    Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

    —JOHN 3:17

    AS WE MOVE FROM Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) to Ash Wednesday, we move from frivolity and celebration to a condition of spiritual preparation for Easter. Giving up something for Lent is a familiar tradition for many, a variation on an old and rich tradition of self-denial known as fasting. You may know someone like my friend Russ, an artist, who each year gives up liver for Lent. He does not eat liver any other time of the year, so his Lenten self-denial points to little sacrifice. Maybe you know people who approach the season of Lent by giving up chocolate or coffee or another indulgence and then follow through with that intention until Easter. The idea of giving up something—usually a personally meaning-ful practice or custom—for Lent has become one way to fast during the season. The reasoning behind this ancient tradition focused on ways to develop openness to God. The earliest tradition of Lenten fasting came in eating only flatbread and drinking only water in order to prepare spiritually with the understanding that the seasonal fast allowed more time to focus on the love of Christ through prayer and devotion and thus to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Over the centuries this tradition has evolved into simple acts of self-denial.

    An Interruption

    Before we consider the importance of fasting in our journey as Christian disciples, I need to express a foundational belief because I do not want to make assumptions about others’ faith or beliefs. As I read the Bible, I always see God acting on behalf of Creation by offering guidance, direction, and salvation. God offers salvation in the prehistory of Adam and Eve, the early history of Israel, and in the concerns of the prophets like Amos and Hosea. We see God’s gift of salvation most fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

    Why do you think God has constantly acted and continues to act on behalf of Creation and humanity?

    We might answer this question by saying that God loves us, but I think we need to acknowledge a more basic truth: God believes the world is worth saving; the world is worthy of redemption. John 3:17 states this essential truth: ‘God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.’ Remember this as we journey toward Easter.

    Fasting

    Eating and sleeping are normal human behaviors and basic to our existence! Thousands of years of human history tell us to avoid fasting. Genetics and grandmothers tell us to eat because we may need the stores of food within our bodies during the next famine. Dieters know that complete fasting does not help them lose weight because the body shuts down in order to preserve strength. Food is necessary even for the sake of dieting and weight

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1