With its origins in history, the only exposure to the scriptures was the public reading of the Word of God, as books were too expensive.
A fundamental feature of Christian Worship, the Revised Common Lectionary, follows a 3 year cycle through the old and new testament. A plan, to make sure that passages are read at an appropriate time in the biblical calendar, over the course the entire bible gets read and nothing is neglected.
Lectionary: the word means Schedule of Readings. Conceptually taken from Judaism, the Jewish lectionary calls for the Torah to be read aloud in its entirety once each year. The end of the lectionary is marked by the holiday called Simchat Torah.
1st April: Palm Sunday, the Entry into Jerusalem
THEME: Jesus the Saviour is God’s humble servant, obedient to death
Mark 11:1-11: Jesus rides into Jerusalem; crowds shout ‘Hosanna!’
Psalm 31:9-16 Trust in God – in distress, grief, scorn, horror, brokenness
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29: The righteous one enters through the gate. Thanks be to God!
Isaiah 50:4-9a: God’s obedient servant is humiliated, but God will help
Philippians 2:5-11: Be like Christ: humble, obedient to death – and exalted!
Mark 14:1 – 15:47: The Passion Story in full
8th April: Easter Sunday
THEME: The good news is incredibly good. Stop incredulity. Start sharing
Acts 10:34-43: Peter witnesses to Gentiles the good news of Jesus
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24: Rejoice in the Lord’s victory on the Lord’s Day!
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Christ died for our sins and was raised. Proclaim and believe!
John 20:1-18: The empty tomb; Mary Magdalene meets Jesus in the garden
15th April
THEME: Resurrection transforms faith and living with a new unity of love
Acts 4:32-35: Believers acts as one, sharing what they have for the good of all
Psalm 133: Living in unity is joy, blessing, and life for evermore
1 John 1:1 – 2:2: Walking in God’s light brings fellowship and cleansing in Christ
John 20:19-31: Disciples see Jesus, but Thomas doubts, then sees and believes
22nd April
THEME: God’s people find how resurrection changes who & how they are
Acts 3:12-19: Peter explains the resurrection. Turn to God! Be ready for him!
Psalm 4: Trust in God, who hears us in distress, brings gladness & peace
1 John 3:1-7: The Father’s love makes us God’s children, able to be righteous
Luke 24:36b-48: Disciples see Jesus who explains resurrection. You witness this!
29th April
THEME: God lifts self-giving to renew and enliven others’ life, and our own
Acts 4: 5-12: A healing done in the name of Christ: once crucified, now risen!
Psalm 23: God as shepherd: leading to rest and food, life and safety
1 John 3:16-24: Faith leads us to share Christ’s love and care with each other
John 10:11-18: The good shepherd: a life laid down obediently; a life raised up!
6th May
THEME: Faithful living reveals and shares God’s saving love
Acts 8:26-40: Philip shares the good news of Christ and baptises an Ethiopian
Psalm 22:25-31: I praise, worshippers praise, everyone praises the saving God
1 John 4:7-21: Show God’s love by loving others; a constant response to God
John 15:1-8: Jesus – the true vine; stay grafted to him to bear fruit (God’s love)
13th May
THEME: Not followers but friends; not outsiders but blessed with the Spirit
Acts 10:44-48: Gentiles receive Holy Spirit; Peter baptises them in Christ’s name
Psalm 98: A rapturous new song for God’s victory, for God coming as judge
1 John 5:1-6: God loves us; we love God and, (pleasing God) love each other
John 15:9-17: As my friends, love each other as I’ve loved you. Go, bear fruit
20th May
THEME: Faithful followers: stay true to Christ, find fulfilment in Christ
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26: Faithful follower Matthias is chosen to be a new twelfth apostle
Psalm 1: The faithful delight in God’s law; are constant and fruitful
1 John 5:9-13: Truth in testimony: Jesus’ birth (water) + death (blood) + H Spirit
John 17:6-19: Jesus prays for his followers: protection, unity, joy, sanctification
27th May
THEME: Jesus has left, but his Spirit stays -transforming followers (still)
Acts 2:1-21: or The Holy Spirit enables good news to be shared with all
Ezekiel 37:1-14: Valley of dry bones: with God’s spirit within, live & know God!
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b: All creation looks to God. God’s spirit creates, renews
Romans 8:22-27; The Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, in our praying
Acts 2:1-21: The Holy Spirit enables good news to be shared with all
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15: The Spirit of truth finds expression in witness and guides to truth
