Lectionary
LECTIONARY
The Lectionary is a collection of Bible passages used in public or private worship, and as the basis for preaching and lessons. For part of the year, they follow the themes according to the Christian calendar seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter, etc.) Four passages are given for each week. They usually follow this pattern:
- Old Testament Reading
- A Psalm
- Gospel Reading
- Epistle Reading
The readings follow a 3 year cycle, which covers all of the major stories and most of the books of the Bible. The benefits of using the Lectionary include:
- A broad foundation of Scripture allows teaching to take place from the whole of Scripture.
- Possibility for integration of the whole church - in other words, the preacher and the youth lesson can follow the same Bible passages. (This can also be said for different churches in the same community).
- Connection to the themes and seasons of the Christian calendar.
Our lesson track will follow the Revised Common Lectionary, Sunday readings. Even though the readings are scheduled for a given Sunday according to the Lectionary, they can be used either on Sunday, or in youth meetings scheduled any time during the week leading up to that Sunday. Each of the Lectionary lessons feature:
- Activity options organized around the pattern: We Gather In Worship, We Hear the Word, We Give Our Thanks, We Live to Serve.
- Extra Creative Sensory Image Options, designed to provide visual and auditory imagery to enhance the lesson.
- History of Liturgy background material to inform the teacher.
- Reading the Word Option to help integrate the 4 passages into the lesson.