This Easter will look different.

Let’s flip the script and make the most of this opportunity while we are home with our families. Let’s dive deeper into Jesus’ life, heart, and word together. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be hosting Mark: A chapter a day for Easter.

If you read one chapter a day, starting Saturday, March 28th, you will read daily for 16 days the entire gospel of Mark. You’ll experience the life and love of Jesus and feel more connected to Him, though socially distanced from everyone else. I’m praying and asking Him to meet us all right where he always does: in His Word. He is so faithful and I’m certain He will show us a new revelation of who He is as we read His life story once again or for the very first time.

For some of us, this pandemic has us overwhelmed. We are juggling jobs, schooling our kids, and the stress of uncertain times. Some of us are at home, alone, or with little to do. That’s why I have different options to join in studying Mark in this space together. Please pick which plan works for you, commit, and let us know!

Option 1) Full Study: Read, Journal and Memorize Weekly Verses

Hello, fellow journaling friend! I love to journal too. I find power in recording what I hear the Holy Spirit speak to me. I also focus better if I am writing my prayers down on paper. Finally, if I write down one verse a day from my time with the Lord, it sticks better. I meditate (think on it, pray God will help me apply it) the rest of the day, and my time with God continues on after I close my bible.

Having a structure to your quiet time or bible reading time can be very helpful. I like to use acronyms to help me pattern my time with Jesus. Below is an option for this reading plan. As I am reading through the chapter, I pick a verse that really speaks to me. (Don’t get too caught up in this, just pick a verse!) I write that verse down. Then, I study that verse, and write how I can apply that verse to my life right now. For this study, next we will “review” – write out the context ( the setting, what was happening, who said the verse, and maybe a little about the entire chapter). Last, I write out a prayer to close my time with God. If you so choose, you could also pray out loud or stop writing at this point and pray quietly to the Lord. You could also write down a few prayer requests and then go to the Lord in prayer. The important thing is to PRAY TO END YOUR QUIET TIME! ❤

DOWNLOAD THE FULL STUDY

Option 2) Just Read it

Go for it, girlfriend! I have some ideas to help you succeed in this very important endeavor over the next sixteen days. First of all, decide what time of day you will read the chapter. Next, decide how this will be a priority. What will you refuse to do until you have read the chapter for the day? This REALLY helps me make time one on one with God a priority. For example, you may decide you will not get on social media, watch Netflix, (basically any mindless time-sucker) until you have read your chapter. This really helps me! Let me know if it helps you, too! Sometimes quiet time isn’t so quiet, and you have to “just do it, ” (think Nike). DECIDE to drop perfectionism and read the chapter on the bible app on your phone while you rock your baby. Decide to listen to the chapter on the app through your earbuds in the car rider line or while you are working out. Just do it! 🙂 Even though you are not writing it down, pick one verse to take with you throughout the rest of the day until your next reading session so you can think on it and let God continue to speak to you through it. (Yes, He still speaks to his people)!

Option 3)INCLUDE YOUR KIDS!!

This options has extra options!

a) Print your kids their own Mark journal here and have them read and journal in all the spaces or at least some. You can add in the other fun options below if you want!

b) Just Read a chapter a day to your kids, discuss and pray.

c) THE JESUS BASKET: You will cut out the verse of the day from Mark and put it in an Easter egg. It’s a countdown to Easter with number eggs and you can add Candy each day or a fun activity!! DOWNLOAD THE JESUS BASKET PACKET HERE!

My family will be doing all the above together, and trying to video a fun snippet each day. You can follow our journey on my Instagram or Facebook Stories.

Accountability

Let’s link arms, ladies, and encourage one another on this short journey the next sixteen days. I want you to share your “My verse” with me. How can you do this?

Here on the blog, in the comments. Yes, I will try to send an email everyday between now and then, so make sure you follow this blog.

The Facebook Group. Click here to be added.

Instagram. Comment on the daily post. Click here to follow me.

I just know we are going to see Jesus more beautiful than ever through this journey. These may feel like uncertain and scary times, but Jesus is here with us everyday. I pray we all experience His love and worship Him with fresh awe on Easter. ❤

That is my prayer for all of us, that we would fall more in love with Jesus and his Word as we journey with him this Easter season.

Let me know you are joining us! I want to hear from you!

Invite your friends!!!

Here are some helpful links to a series I wrote on Back to the Basics of Bible Study if you want more inspiration and direction:

Bible Study & Prayer 101: How To Read The Bible

Bible Study & Prayer 101: Back to the Basics

Bible Study & Prayer 101: Meet the Teacher