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

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)

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)

All About Jesus

Creation is All About Jesus

John 1:1-5

The Main Point: Creation is all about Jesus.

· Jesus was present at creation. (vv1-2; Gen 1:1)

o Ps 90:2

o Jesus is eternal. (Rev 22:13; Col 1:17a)

o Jesus is God.

§ As our Creator, Jesus is independent from creation.

· Jesus was active in creation. (v3; Ps 33:6; Gen 1:2-3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26)

o Jesus created all things. (Col 1:16; 1 Cor 8:6b; Heb 1:2)

§ As our Creator, Jesus is powerful over creation. (Jer 32:17; Rev 4:11)

o Jesus maintains all things. (Col 1:17b; Heb 1:3a)

§ As our Creator, Jesus is loving over creation. (Mt 6:11-13; 7:7-8; Mt 4:4)

· Jesus is the purpose of creation. (vv4-5; Jn 1:9)

o All things were created for Jesus. (Col 1:16b)

§ As our Creator, Jesus is God over creation. (Gen 2:17; Ps 50:1; Mk 4:39)

o We have rejected Jesus in sin.

§ Life became death. (Gen 2:17)

§ Light became darkness. (Rom 1:21; Jn 3:19)

o We can find re-creation in Jesus. (Jn 1:12-13; 20:31)

§ As our Creator, Jesus is the Savior of creation. (2 Cor 5:17; Rev 21:5a)

Next week’s sermon: God’s Judgment of Sin is All About Jesus (Rom 5:12-21)

All About Jesus

The Bible is All About Jesus

Luke 24:25-27, 44-49

The Main Point: The Bible is all about Jesus.

Jesus teaches two disciples on the way to Emmaus. (vv25-27; Lk 9:51; 18:31-33

Jesus teaches all of his disciples in Jerusalem. (vv44-49)

What does he teach them? The Bible is all about Jesus.

· All Scripture points to a coming Messiah who will suffer, die, and resurrect for the salvation of all nations. (vv25-26, 44, 46)

o Moses (Gen 3:15; Num 21:8-9; Jn 3:14-15)

o The Psalms (Ps 2:1-2; 118:22; Ps 22:1)

o The Prophets (2 Sam 7:12-13, 16; Isa 53:3-5, 7-9; Heb 9:22)

o The Old Testament is all about the need for Jesus. (Rom 3:20-24)

o The Bible teaches us that we all need Jesus.

· Jesus fulfills all Scripture in his coming to suffer, die, and resurrect for the salvation of all nations. (vv27, 44; Mt 5:17; Acts 4:11)

o The Gospels are all about the work of Jesus. (1 Cor 15:3-4)

o The Bible teaches us that Jesus is all we need.

· His followers are called to understand and proclaim Jesus in all Scripture to all nations.

o They must understand Scripture. (vv27, 45)

o They must proclaim Scripture. (vv47-49)

o The rest of the New Testament is about the mission of Jesus. (Acts 1:6-8; Rom 10:14-15)

o The Bible teaches us that all the world needs Jesus.

Next week’s sermon: Creation is All About Jesus (Jn 1:1-3)