In this first episode of Rooted, Pastor Steve and I explore the roots and modern practice of Lent, and what it should mean to us all.

We’ve created a “Beginner’s Guide to Lent Fasting” resource including simple fast options, weekly rhythms, and reflection questions.

If you’ve never observed Lent before, this is designed to help you start small, biblically, and without spiritual performance.

View it below.

LENT BEGINNER RESOURCE PACK

A Simple Guide for First-Time Observers

1. What Is Fasting?

Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food (or something meaningful) for a spiritual purpose. It does not earn grace or favor from God. It creates space to hunger for Him.

• Matthew 6:16–18

• Joel 2:12–13

• Isaiah 58

• Matthew 4:1–4

2. Beginner Fast Options

• Option 1: One-Meal Fast – Skip one meal once per week and use that time for prayer and

Scripture.

• Option 2: Sunrise-to-Sunset Fast – Fast during the day and break with a simple dinner.

• Option 3: Media / Comfort Fast – Abstain from social media, streaming, sugar, or coffee.

• Option 4: Partial (Daniel-Style) Fast – Simple foods only; no desserts, alcohol, or luxury

Foods.

3. How To Break a Fast

Do not binge or overeat. Break your fast slowly with something simple (eggs, broth, avocado etc.). Thank God and reflect on what you learned during the fast.

4. Weekly Lent Rhythm

• Daily: 5–10 minutes in Scripture and one short prayer of repentance.

• Weekly: One intentional fast and one extended prayer time.

• Sunday: Feast and celebrate the grace of Christ. (with healthy, whole foods)

5. Reflection Questions

• What do I run to for comfort besides Jesus?

• What surfaces in my heart when I’m hungry?

• Where am I spiritually distracted?

• What does deeper repentance look like?

• How can this prepare me to celebrate the resurrection?

Beginner’s Lent Prayer Sample

Lord, teach me to hunger rightly. Strip away distraction. Expose what competes for my love. Let this season make me desperate for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Medical & Wisdom Note

If you are pregnant, diabetic, underweight, have eating disorders, or medical concerns, consult a physician before fasting from food. Fasting is meant to draw you to Christ, not harm your body.

Book Recommendations from the episode:

“The Obesity Code” Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting Is the Key to Controlling Your Weight) by Jason Fung, MD

https://a.co/d/06NaCeNP

This next Amazon link is for the cookbook companion for “The Obesity Code”. It is invaluable when providing options for clean eating that don't sacrifice flavor or variety.

“The Obesity Code Cookbook” Recipes to Help You Manage Insulin, Lose Weight, and Improve Your Health (The Wellness Code)

https://a.co/d/09DrW6cG

“Counterfeit Gods”: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Timothy Keller

https://a.co/d/05k5BXli

“The Mortification of Sin” by John Owen

https://a.co/d/01VkZllf

All About Jesus

David & the Kings are All About Jesus

Luke 1:26-38

The Main Point: David & the Kings are all about Jesus.

A Promised Future King (2 Sam 7:1-16)

• We needed God to send a king. (1 Sam 8:5b)

Jesus is the promised king.

The Promised Davidic King (Lk 1:26-28; 2 Sam 7:12)

• Lk 2:4; 2 Tim 2:8; Rom 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8; Rev 22:16
• We need a human king. (Rom 5:18-19)

The Promised Eternal King (Lk 1:29-33; 2 Sam 7:13, 16)

• We need an eternal king. (Heb 1:3b; 12:2b; Heb 1:8; Acts 2:29-36; 1 Cor 15:17-19)

The Promised Divine King (Lk 1:34-38; 2 Sam 7:14;)

• Jn 18:36
• We need a perfect king. (Gen 1:28b; 1 Tim 2:5)

Next week’s sermon: Wisdom is All About Jesus

All About Jesus

The Promised Land is All About Jesus

Hebrews 3:7-4:13

The Main Point: The Promised Land is All About Jesus

A Warning: Unbelief will not lead us to the Promised Land. (3:7-15)

• The Israelites missed out on promised rest because of unbelief leading to disobedience. (vv7-11, 16-19; Ps 95:7-11; Num 14:2-4, 10, 26-30)
• We can miss out on promised rest because of unbelief and disobedience. (vv14-15; Jn 10:28-29; Lk 8:4-8, 11-15)
• We must watch out for ourselves and others so that we don’t miss out of God’s promised rest. (vv12-13; Jas 5:19-20)

A Promise: Faith will lead us to the Promised Land. (4:1-13)

• There is still a promised rest after the Sabbath. (vv1-5; Gen 2:2-3)
• There is still a promised rest after the Promised Land. (vv6-10; Josh 21:44a)
• We must seek God’s promised rest through faith and obedience to his Word. (vv11-13; Mt 11:28; Jn 14:1-3; Rev 22:1-5)

Next week’s sermon: David & the Kings are All About Jesus (2 Sam 7:1-17)

All About Jesus

Israel’s Failure is All About Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

The Main Point: Israel’s failure is all about Jesus.

An Opportunity for Failure: Temptation in the Wilderness (vv1-2)

· WHO: Jesus, the Spirit, the Devil (the tempter) (Jas 1:13)

· WHERE: a wilderness

· WHEN: 40 days & 40 nights (Num 32:13)

· WHAT: Jesus was tempted in the wilderness just as Israel was.

· We will face temptation. (2 Cor 11:3; 1 Pet 5:8b)

The First Temptation: God’s Provision (vv3-4)

· Jesus succeeded where Israel failed. (Deut 8:1-3; Num 11:4-6)

· We have failed to trust God’s provision. (Jn 6:26-27, 30-35; Mt 6:16)

The Second Temptation: God’s Promises (vv5-7)

· Ps 91:1, 11-12

· Jesus succeeded where Israel failed. (Deut 6:16; Ps 78:40-41)

· We have tested God. (Ps 103:3; 1 Jn 1:9; Titus 2:11)

The Third Temptation: God’s Provision (vv8-10)

· Jesus succeeded where Israel failed. (Phil 2:8-11; Deut 6:13; 9:7-8)

· We haven’t worshipped God. (Ps 14:2-3)

Success…but not a final temptation to fail (v11)

· Jesus succeeded where Israel failed.

· We must trust Jesus.

Next week’s sermon: The Promised Land is All About Jesus

All About Jesus

The Law is All About Jesus

Matthew 5:17-20

The Main Point: The Law is all about Jesus.

Jesus fulfills the Law. (v17)

· We see God’s Law in Jesus. (Ex 19:6; Rom 3:20)

Jesus upholds the Law. (v18)

· 2 Tim 3:16

· We study God’s Law through Jesus.

o Jesus fulfills laws about the priesthood. (Heb 4:14, 16)

o Jesus fulfills laws about the sacrificial system. (Heb 10:11-12)

o Jesus fulfills laws about the Sabbath. (Heb 4:9-11)

o Jesus fulfills laws all festivals and diet. (Col 2:16-17)

Jesus obeys and teaches the Law. (v19)

· We teach God’s Law through Jesus. (Mt 7:28-29; 28:19-20)

Jesus perfects the Law. (v20)

· We obey God’s Law through Jesus. (Ps 51:4-5, 10; Heb 5:8-9)

Next week’s sermon: Israel’s Failure is All About Jesus (Mt 4:1-11)

All About Jesus

The Exodus is All About Jesus

1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12

The Main Point: The Exodus is all about Jesus.

The Israelites needed a Passover Lamb.

· They were slaves in Egypt. (Ex 2:23-25; 11:4-5)

· They were going to die. (Rom 6:23; Heb 9:22)

· We need a Passover Lamb.

o Before Jesus, we’re all slaves to sin. (Jn 8:34)

o Without God’s intervention, we will all die in our sin. (Rev 21:8)

God provided a Passover Lamb. (Ex 12:1-13)

· A Substitute Sacrifice (vv7, 13)

· A Perfect Sacrifice (v5)

· A Timely Sacrifice (v11)

· We have a Passover Lamb.

o Through Jesus, we can be passed-over. (Rom 5:6; 1 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:7b)

God’s people kept the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Ex 12:14-20)

· We remember the Passover Lamb.

o We celebrate Jesus. (Jn 6:53-55)

o We will live for Jesus. (Ex 12:43-47)

Next week’s sermon: The Law is All About Jesus (Gal 3:19-26)

All About Jesus

Righteous Faith is All About Jesus

Hebrews 11:17-19

The Main Point: Righteous faith is all about Jesus.

Background

· The Book of Hebrews: Jesus is better!

o Heb 1-2: Jesus is better than every living being, including angels.

o Heb 3-10: Jesus is better than Old Testament Law & priests.

o Heb 11-13: We must have faith in Jesus, alone.

· The Story of Abraham: Faith in God!

o Gen 12:1-3: God’s call & promise.

o Gen 21: God’s fulfillment through Isaac.

o Gen 22:1-19: God’s test of Abraham.

Abraham acted on faith. (v17a)

· Our faith will be tested.

Abraham acted on faith in God’s promise. (v17b-18)

· Our faith isn’t perfect. (Heb 10:39; Mt 1:2, 16; Heb 12:1-2; 2 Cor 1:20)

Abraham acted on faith in God’s power. (v19a; Gen 22:5; Gen 18:14)

· Our faith isn’t in ourselves. (Acts 2:24; 24:15)

Abraham acted on faith in God’s plan. (v19b; Heb 9:9, 11; Jn 3:16)

· Our faith isn’t in Abraham.

Next week’s sermon: The Exodus is All About Jesus (1 Cor 5:7)

All About Jesus

God’s Judgment of Sin is All About Jesus

Romans 5:12-21

The Main Point: God’s judgment of sin is all about Jesus.

The first Adam brought sin and death into the world. (vv12-14; Rom 1:16-17; 3:23-24; 6:23)

· Adam sinned, and he died. (v12-13; Gen 2:17; 3:6, 17-19)

· All humans followed Adam in sin and death. (v12-13; Gen 4:1-8; 6:1-6; 11:1-4; Rom 2:14-15; 1 Ki 15:5; Eph 2:1-2)

o All humans are born with a sinful nature. (Ps 51:5; Eccl 9:3b; Jer 17:9)

o All humans sinned. (v12b; Isa 53:6a)

o Their sin brings death. (Jas 1:14-15)

· We will all die under Adam’s curse.

The greater Adam brought righteousness and life into the world. (vv15-17)

· Jesus was righteous, and he was justified. (vv16-17; 1 Pet 2:22; Phil 2:8)

· All humans can follow Jesus. (v15; Mt 20:28; 1 Jn 2:2)

· We have all been offered life in Christ’s gift.

o In his gift of salvation, his righteousness offers grace to sinners. (Jas 4:6a)

o In his gift of salvation, his righteousness brings justification for sinners. (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Cor 6:9-11)

o In his gift of salvation, his righteousness results in life for sinners. (v17)

All people will either die in the sin of the first Adam or live in the righteousness of the greater Adam. (vv18-21; 1 Cor 15:21-22, 49)

· We all have a choice between the curse or the gift.

o If we choose sin, we will die.

o If we choose Jesus, we will live.

Next week’s sermon: Righteous Faith is All About Jesus (Gal 3:29)