A Guide To The Discipline Of Lent

Source: The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel - Evangelical Church in America

Lutherans have had the “Discipline of Lent” since the publication of the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978. And yet, when it comes to understanding and actually making use of this discipline, to which we are all invited on Ash Wednesday, there is little guidance from church to church or even from pastor to pastor as spiritual leader within a congregation.

According to the Rev. Thomas Weitzel:

Many years ago, I developed a “Handbook for the Discipline of Lent” to assist my congregation in their approach to this holy season. What you will find here are a number of spiritual aids in the form of schedules, articles, worksheets, and prayers, with complete suggestions for actually doing each of the areas of the Lenten Discipline that come to us from church tradition. The suggestions are by no means an exhaustive or even exclusive list, just some basic direction. A look at the "Table of Contents" will give you a complete run down on all that is contained here.

I do conceive this piece as something that church people will keep with them throughout the season to consult. With that in mind, I close the booklet with the wonderful "Blessings over Food at Easter" provided in the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services 1979.

I originally printed the Handbook in 11x14 folded layout in 20 pages. I used a number of clip art pieces to break up the type. I have not reproduced any of those except the cover art, though I am sure you can find better graphics these days to use throughout.

I have found this handbook to be a spiritual blessing in the parishes I have served, as much as a teaching tool when it comes to things like making the sign of the cross, confession, the Stations tradition and especially the introductions to each day of the ancient Triddum, reprinted from the bulletins themselves as found elsewhere in this website. I commend it to your use and that of God's people.

We hope you enjoy this feature on Lent at My Bible Center.

• An Invitation to Lent 
• What Is Lent?
• The Discipline of Lent
  • Lent and Repentance
  • Lent and Prayer
  • Lent and Fasting
  • Lent and Works of Love
  • Lent and Beginning Your Discipline
  • Lent and Keeping Your Discipline
• Lent And How To Make the Sign of the Cross
• Lent and Confession: Should I Go to Confession?
• How to Go to Confession During Lent
  • from Martin Luther's Small Catechism
• Lent and The Tradition of the Stations of the Cross
• Lent and The Triduum - The Three Sacred Days
  • Lent and Maundy Thursday
  • Lent and Good Friday
  • Lent and The Great Vigil of Easter
• Lent and Blessings over Food at Easter

For more about lent, please see  Lutheran Guide To Lent