Suggested lesson guide on the cause of the cross this Lenten season

Welcome to this guide lesson about the cause of the cross for Lenten season. 

Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, and sacrifice, and it is a time when we remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. 

In this lesson, we will explore the cause of the cross and what it means for us as Christians. We will delve into the historical and spiritual significance of the crucifixion and consider the deeper theological implications of this pivotal moment in human history. 

By the end of this lesson, you will have a deeper understanding of the cause of the cross and its profound impact on our faith.

I.                 Week 1: Understanding the Need for the Cross

Day 1: The Fall of Humanity: Original Sin and its Consequences

Discuss the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and how sin entered the world.

Explain the concept of original sin and how it affects all of humanity.

Reflect on the consequences of sin, including separation from God and spiritual death

Day 2: The Justice of God: The Penalty for Sin

Explore the biblical concept of God's justice and why sin deserves punishment

Discuss different biblical examples of God's justice, such as the Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Reflect on the fact that God's justice demands payment for sin, which is ultimately fulfilled on the cross

Day 3: The Love of God: The Sacrifice for Sin

Explain the concept of God's love and how it is demonstrated in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe God's love, such as John 3:16 and Romans 5:8

Reflect on the fact that God's love is the motivation for the cross and the ultimate act of sacrificial love

Day 4: The Cost of Redemption: The Price Jesus Paid on the Cross

Discuss the physical and emotional pain that Jesus endured on the cross

Explore the theological concept of penal substitution, in which Jesus took the punishment for our sins upon himself

Reflect on the fact that the cost of our redemption was great, but Jesus willingly paid the price for our salvation

Day 5: The Cross and Salvation: How the Cross Changes Everything

Discuss the concept of salvation and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe the power of the cross, such as 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Colossians 1:20

Reflect on the fact that the cross changes everything by offering us salvation and eternal life with God

II.               Week 2: The Cross and the Gospel

Day 1: The Gospel Message: The Good News of the Cross

Explain the concept of the gospel and what it means to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus.

Discuss biblical verses that describe the gospel message, such as Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 1:16

Reflect on the fact that the gospel is good news for all people and that it is the power of God for salvation.

Day 2: Repentance and Faith: Our Response to the Cross

Discuss the concepts of repentance and faith and why they are important for salvation.

Explore biblical verses that describe the importance of repentance and faith, such as Acts 3:19 and Hebrews 11:6

Reflect on the fact that our response to the cross should be one of repentance and faith, turning away from sin and placing our trust in Jesus.

Day 3: The Power of the Cross: Overcoming Sin and Death

Explore the biblical concept of the power of the cross and how it overcomes sin and death

Discuss different biblical examples of the power of the cross, such as the conversion of Saul (Paul) in Acts 9

Reflect on the fact that the power of the cross is available to us today and that it has the ability to transform our lives

Day 4: The Cross and Justification: How the Cross Declares us Righteous

Discuss the theological concept of justification and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe justification by faith, such as Romans 3:21-26 and Galatians 2:16

Reflect on the fact that the cross declares us righteous

Day 5: The Cross and Reconciliation: How the Cross Brings us Closer to God

Discuss the concept of reconciliation and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe the reconciliation that takes place through the cross, such as Colossians 1:20-22 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Reflect on the fact that the cross brings us closer to God by removing the barrier of sin and allowing us to have a relationship with Him

III.              Week 3: Living in Light of the Cross

Day 1: The Call to Follow: Taking up our Cross and Following Jesus

Discuss the concept of taking up our cross and following Jesus, as described in Matthew 16:24-26 and Luke 14:27-33

Explore the biblical concept of discipleship and what it means to be a follower of Jesus

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means being willing to sacrifice and follow Jesus, even when it is difficult

Day 2: The Cross and Forgiveness: Extending Forgiveness to Others

Discuss the importance of forgiveness in the Christian life and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe forgiveness, such as Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means extending forgiveness to others, just as Jesus has forgiven us

Day 3: The Cross and Service: Serving Others as Christ Served us.

Discuss the concept of service and how it is exemplified by Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45)

Explore biblical verses that describe the importance of serving others, such as Galatians 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:10

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means serving others as Christ served us, using our gifts and abilities to love and bless those around us

Day 4: The Cross and Sacrifice: Living a Life of Sacrificial Love

Discuss the importance of sacrificial love in the Christian life and how it is exemplified by Jesus on the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe sacrificial love, such as John 15:13 and 1 John 3:16

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means loving others sacrificially, putting their needs before our own and imitating the love that Christ showed us

Day 5: The Cross and Hope: Living in the Hope of Resurrection

Discuss the concept of hope and how it is made possible through the resurrection of Jesus

Explore biblical verses that describe the hope of resurrection, such as 1 Peter 1:3-5 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means living in the hope of resurrection, knowing that death has been defeated and that we have the promise of eternal life with God.

IV.            Week 4: The Power of the Cross

Day 1: The Cross and Redemption: The Power of the Cross to Redeem us.

Discuss the concept of redemption and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe redemption, such as Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:13-14

Reflect on the fact that the power of the cross to redeem us means that we are no longer slaves to sin, but have been set free to live for Christ

Day 2: The Cross and Transformation: The Power of the Cross to Transform us.

Discuss the power of the cross to transform our lives, making us new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Explore biblical verses that describe transformation, such as Romans 12:2 and Galatians 2:20

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means allowing the power of the cross to transform us, renewing our minds and changing our hearts to be more like Christ

Day 3: The Cross and Healing: The Power of the Cross to Heal us.

Discuss the concept of healing and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe healing, such as Isaiah 53:5 and Matthew 8:17

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means experiencing the healing power of the cross, both physically and spiritually

Day 4: The Cross and Victory: The Power of the Cross to Bring us Victory.

Discuss the concept of victory and how it is made possible through the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe victory, such as 1 Corinthians 15:57 and Romans 8:37

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means experiencing victory in Christ, knowing that He has already overcome sin and death on our behalf

Day 5: The Cross and Worship: Responding to the Power of the Cross in Worship

Discuss the importance of worship in the Christian life and how it is a response to the power of the cross

Explore biblical verses that describe worship, such as Psalm 95:6-7 and John 4:23-24

Reflect on the fact that living in light of the cross means responding to the power of the cross in worship, praising God for His goodness, grace, and mercy.

 

In conclusion, the cause of the cross is central to our Christian faith and is a powerful reminder of the love, sacrifice, and redemption that Jesus offers us. 

During this Lenten season, let us reflect on the significance of the cross and what it means for us as believers. 

May we be inspired to live our lives in service to God and in imitation of Christ, who gave his life for our salvation. Let us embrace the message of the cross and strive to live in faith, hope, and love. 

Thank you for joining us in this guide lesson, and may God bless you on your journey.