STUDY GUIDE
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A VISUAL JOIURNEY THROUGH LENT
FOREWORD
Welcome to Worth 1000 Words. This is meant to be a visual journey through Lent. Through this
series, we hope you will deepen your love of Scripture, your experience of community and your
ability to see God at work in our world.
The title of this series, Worth 1000 Words, comes from the popular saying- “a picture is worth
1000 words.” We well know how a picture can tell entire stories full of emotions, thoughts and
memories. It is also interesting how one person can see a picture from a completely different
point of view than someone else. That is the power of pictures in our lives.
This series will lead us on a visual journey through the Gospel Narrative; giving us a different
theme for each week. Each week’s theme will explore three different pictures:
1.
2.
3.
A picture from our World,
A picture from the Word,
And a picture from our Life.
Each week, we will provide a section to be completed before your group meeting called “the
Preamble”. In the spirit of Lent, this section is meant to deepen your personal reflection and
help you prepare for the week’s small group discussion. This section will be in two formats; an
individual study and a family devotional. We hope that this expands the impact of this series in
your life. For those who are planning on doing this as a family devotional, make sure to pick up
the discussion starter postcards.
Finally, you will notice that there are too many questions for most groups to be able to finish for
your time together. This is done intentionally. Treat this curriculum as a guide, and pick and
choose the questions that would be the most appropriate for your specific group. Don’t feel the
need to cover all the material each week.
May God bless us all as we follow Christ in the journey to the Cross and empty tomb.
Holly Hoppe (Hope Presbyterian Church)
David Meriwether (First Presbyterian Church- Austin)
Ted Thulin (Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church) and
Mark Charbonneau (Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church)
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WEEK 1 - WILDERNESS
PREAMBLE
This week we will consider the theme of “wilderness”. Our text for this week will be on the pictures of Jesus’ baptism and his experience of testing in the wilderness.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them out on the table.
Before Jesus began his public ministry, he
experienced two different pictures – a baptism and
the temptations in the desert. Read the following
passages and reflect on the questions below?
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Look at the “wild” picture on the back of this
booklet. How does this picture depict the
theme?
Read Mark 1:9-11
We see in this passage an example of a blessing. In
this text, we hear the love of God declaring Jesus’
true identity, sharing his love and pleasure. What a
beautiful example!
Before Jesus began his public ministry, we see two
different pictures- a baptism and temptations in the
desert. Read the following passages out loud and
discuss the questions below.
Reflection Questions
• What does the word “blessing” mean to you?
• When recently have you blessed someone else?
• Do you feel like Jesus personally needs this
moment or is it merely for us to read?
• Jesus took baptism’s old meaning (ceremonial
cleansing or the repentant response from sin)
and gave it a new purpose. What is that new
purpose?
Read Mark 1:9-11
In this passage we see an example of a blessing
when we hear the love of the Father declaring Jesus’
true identity, sharing his love and pleasure. What a
beautiful example!
Discussion Questions
• What does the word “blessing” mean to you?
• When has someone blessed you?
• How do you think Jesus felt when the sky parted
and he heard the Father’s voice?
• Why do you think God said these things?
Read Mark 1:12-15 and Luke 4:1-13
Reflection Questions
• Consider what each of these three temptations
signified?
• Why might the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the
wilderness to be tempted?
• Which temptation do you most recognize in
your present moment as something you might
be encountering?
Read Mark 1:12-15 and Luke 4:1-13
Discussion Questions
• When have you been really hungry?
• What happens when someone gets really
hungry?
• When have you been tempted to do something
that you knew you shouldn’t?
• When Jesus was tempted to turn the stone into
bread, he said “man does not live on bread
alone.” What do you think Jesus meant by this?
Closing Exercise:
Consider who you could bless this week. To bless
someone might mean to call forth their greatest
identity; that which goes beyond their function or
performance. Give someone a call, write a letter
or stop someone this week and speak a blessing to
them.
Closing Exercise:
Parents, everyone longs for a blessing but especially
from a parent. Use this time to give your child a
blessing. Spend time calling forth what you see in
them that is good and true. For those with more
than one child, do this one at a time. Following
God’s example, tell them of your love and pleasure.
Children, in your own words, give your parents a
blessing. Tell your parents why you love them, and
what makes them special as your parents.
Consider if you are in a time of temptation. How is
Jesus’ experience an encouragement to you?
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WEEK 2 - WONDER
PREAMBLE
This week we will consider the theme of “wonder”. Our text for this week will be from the picture of Jesus’ transfiguration–when Jesus’ divine identity was more fully revealed.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them out on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of “wonder”?
• How does the “wonder” picture at the back of
the book depict this theme?
This week we are going to look for theme of wonder
as we consider the Transfiguration.
Read Luke 9:2-9
Reflection Questions
• When was the last time you were struck with
wonder?
• How is the transfiguration different than the
miracles Jesus performed?
• How do you think disciples knew the two other
men were Elijah and Moses? What importance
do those two characters have for the Jewish
readers?
This week, we are going to look at the word
“wonder”.
Parent, pull out a cell phone. Ask the children to
explain how a cell phone works.
There are things in this world that are hard to
understand. Our response can be wonder or
amazement. How in the world does a cell phone
work, a plane fly, or do we make skyscrapers?
There are even more wonderful things we
experience from God which fills us with wonder.
This moment is an echo from last week’s study; the
Baptism of Jesus.
• What are the similarities of these two pictures?
• What are the differences of Jesus’ baptism and
this moment?
Read Luke 9:2-9
Discussion Questions
• What might the disciples have thought when
they saw Jesus transfigured before their eyes?
• How do you think the disciples saw Jesus
differently after this moment?
• With this passage in mind, what makes Jesus
different from everyone else?
• In this passage, we hear a similar blessing as we
talked about last week. There is one addition;
the Father included the words “listen to him.”
Why do you think God told the disciples to
listen to Jesus?
Our world is full of many wonderful experiences.
Often times, the feeling of wonder tragically wears
off. That which was amazing becomes normal.
How in the world does a cell phone work, or a plane
fly, or do we make a skyscraper? There are even
more wonderful things we experience from God.
Read Psalm 65:5-8:
Reflection Questions
• When was a time (or picture) in your life when
you were struck with wonder at who God is?
• What environment or situation do you experience
the presence of God most powerfully? For
example, it could be in nature, while admiring
something beautiful, through an experience of
community, in study, etc. Does your schedule
and lifestyle allow for this experience to happen?
• What is a wonder of God you struggle to believe
in your life?
Closing Exercise:
This week, look for things that fill us with wonder.
At the end of each day, share what you saw as a
family. Each time you see something wonderful,
spend time thanking God for so many wonderful
things for us to experience. Bring a picture or
drawing of something that made you wonder to
dinner each night.
Closing Exercise:
Consider God’s wonders this week. One of the gifts
of the Psalms is giving us prayers for our life. Psalm
17:7 says, “Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand those who take refuge
in you from their foes.”
Use this verse in your prayer time this week. Spend
time praying that God may show you the wonders of
God’s great love.
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WEEK 3 - AUTHORITY
PREAMBLE
This week, we will consider the theme of “authority.” The scripture will be John’s photo series of Jesus’ visit
to the temple in Jerusalem. Look at the temple merchants in the courtyard, selling cattle and sheep and doves
for the sacrifices inside. Next, imagine Jesus with a whip in his hand, driving the animals out of the courtyard
gates. Look at the exchange tables where money-changers trade coins into temple coins, because the temple
used only its own currency (and charged for the exchange). Then imagine a picture of Jesus scattering the
sacks of coins and turning over the tables. Look at a picture of angry and confused people asking Jesus, “What
makes you think you have the authority to come in here and do all this damage?”
Mark puts his account of this event in Jesus’ ministry at the beginning of the book. Mathew put it as the
destination of the Palm parade in what we call Holy Week. Jesus gives us a signature photograph of a critical
focus on his being Messiah. Two things are happening here:
• Jesus is saying that his religious institution (he was confirmed in that very temple) should not be a
“marketplace.” Jesus is acting in judgment against the way the temple has distorted “offerings” by raising
money to finance its program.
• Jesus is saying that he has the “authority” to re-form the wrong directions in spite of what the temple
leaders (who are in “authority”) have authorized.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and spread
them out on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of “authority”?
• How does the “authority” picture at the back of the
book speak to this theme?
This week we are going to look for theme of authority as we
consider the picture when Jesus “cleaned out the temple” –
confronted the fund-raising practices of the religious institution of his day.
Read John 2:13-22
Reflection Questions
• When was the last time you were face to face with someone
who had “authority”? What mix of feelings went through
you in those moments?
• Jesus sees things happening in the courtyard he thinks
are wrong, and he takes action. Why do you think he
believed he had the “authority” to take action against the
religious institution where he was confirmed?
• Why do you think he chased out the animals and turned
the money tables over? What was the problem?
This week, we are going to look at the word “authority.”
Take a Driver’s license out of your billfold. Talk about how you
can only drive a car because some “authority” says you can.
Think of other ways we have to get permission to do things.
Think of people who can give us commands; who can tell us
what to do. We can think they are right or wrong. Ask “what” or
“who” is behind the command that makes us pay attention and
obey.
From the time we are little children we ask, “Why?”
“Authority” is a hard word to make simple, but think of
“authority” as the “why” behind some “power.” “Why do I
have to do that?” How often does the “why” question finally
become another question: “Who is going to make me?”
It is interesting that money is usually close by when we raise
questions of power and authority. Jesus says we are going to
serve God or money. People identify wealth with power, but
Jesus says how we use our money tells who has power over us.
The Bob Dylan song goes, “It may be the devil or it may be the
Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”
Read John 2:13-22
Discussion Questions
• What could have been the disciples’ thoughts and
feelings when they saw Jesus driving out the animals
and turning over tables?
• Why do you think Jesus believed he had the authority
to do this house-cleaning?
• What makes Jesus different from everyone else in
these pictures?
• In this passage, we hear Jesus commanding people:
“Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
Why do you think Jesus thought these “fund-raising”
projects were bad?
Reflection Questions
• What loyalties do you wear? How important are “labels”
or “brands” to you? Do they exercise “authority” over you?
In subtle ways do they tell you how to think or what is
important?
• Do you have different “authorities” for different facets of
your life? Do you listen to God about family and personal
decisions, but listen to your company for business
decisions, your political party for social decisions?
Closing Exercise:
Consider Jesus’ authority over you this week. Was there a time
when you were a follower, and it was clear what he wanted you
to do was different from the expectations of others.
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the
one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise
the other.” Matthew 6:24
Use this verse in your prayer time this week. Spend time praying that God may show you new places to be a slave in service
to God’s great love.
Closing Exercise:
“Integrity” is having all the facets of our lives under the
same authority. As a family, make a list together about
the ways that if Jesus is “Lord of all our life,” then he has
“authority” over our home and school and work and play.
Do we apply his commands everywhere in our lives?
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WEEK 4 - RESCUE
PREAMBLE
This week we will consider the theme of “RESCUE”. Our text includes maybe the most well known verse
in the Bible, John 3:16. This is the greatest rescue of all time that came with an infinite cost. It required
the unimaginable; God giving God’s Son to save the world.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them out on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of a “RESCUE”?
• Share an amazing RESCUE that you have either
seen on TV or in a movie or read about in a
book.
These most familiar words, John 3:16, from Jesus came out of an encounter He had with a man
named Nicodemus. Read the following passages
out loud and discuss the questions below?
Read John 3:14-18
Discussion Questions
• Has someone ever “Rescued” you? Or have you
ever “Rescued” someone?
• Why did Nicodemus, a religious teacher,
struggle so much with what Jesus was telling
him?
• When did Jesus “Rescue” you? How would you
describe that time of your life?
• How big, how wide, is God’s love?
• St. Augustine said, “God loves each one of us
as if there was only one of us to love.” How
does that make you feel?
• Have you ever shared with someone how they
too can be “Rescued”?
These most familiar words, John 3:16, from Jesus
came out of an encounter he had with a man
named Nicodemus. Read the following passages
out loud and discuss the questions below?
Read John 3:14-18
Discussion Questions
• Has someone ever “Rescued” you? Or have you
ever “Rescued” someone?
• Why did Nicodemus, a religious teacher,
struggle so much with what Jesus was telling
him?
• From what does Jesus “Rescue” us?
• How big, how wide, is God’s love?
• St. Augustine said, “God loves each one of us
as if there was only one of us to love.” How
does that make you feel?
Read John 3:19-21
Discussion Questions
• Where is the darkest place you have ever been;
where you could not see?
• What are you keeping “in the dark” from
someone?
• When you keep others “in the dark” what effect
does that have on you and on your relationship?
• What is the “Light” that Jesus is talking about?
• What is the purpose of the “Light”?
• How does these verses, 19-21, relate to verse
16?
Read Mark 1:19-21
Discussion Questions
• Where is the darkest place you have ever been;
where you could not see?
• What happens when you shine even the smallest
light in a super dark place?
• There is a familiar saying “Keep someone in the
dark?” What does it mean? And why do people
keep others “in the dark”?
• What is the “Light” that Jesus is talking about?
• What is the purpose of the “Light”?
Closing Exercise:
Consider some of the thoughts, actions or dreams
that you once held in the dark. Now imagine the
tragic future if those actions would have been
enacted. Consider how Christ has saved you and
the life you have today. Why is it so important to
remember from what God has rescued us?
Closing Exercise: (A roll of Lifesavers needed)
It is very important for us to remember what God
has done for us. Have each family member place
a lifesaver in their mouth. While you enjoy the
sweetness, remember a time in your life when you
were just hanging on by a thread and you needed
rescued. Share that experience with your family.
Then remember when Jesus, your LIFE SAVIOR,
took hold of you and rescued you. Share that time
and the feelings that you experience..
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WEEK 5 - DESTINY
PREAMBLE
This week we will consider the theme of “destiny,” using the scripture: John 12:20-33.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them out on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of “destiny”?
• How does the “destiny” picture at the back of the
book speak to this theme?
This week we are going to look at the theme of
destiny as we consider how Jesus struggled with his
destiny as he followed God’s call.
Before you read these verses, remember where we are
in Jesus’ ministry. John puts this conversation with
his followers about his death right after the entry into
Jerusalem, during what we call Holy Week. In all his
human faithfulness, Jesus is completely focused on
what is happening around him, and already knows
that the forces against him have gathered for a
confrontation. He turns to pictures from scripture to
tell the followers what he sees as his destiny.
There are two ways to look at destiny. We can think of
it as fixed “fate” – a determined destiny, or we can see
it as a goal or dream that pulls us toward the future,
motivating us, shaping our decisions, and ultimately
changing who we become. On one hand, destiny is
what’s ahead, and we have no power to change it. On
the other hand, destiny is a hope so powerful that we
move toward it like a magnetic force, and our destiny
picture changes us.
Read John 12:20-33
Reflection Questions
• Jesus has used a picture about seeds and harvest
before; illustrating how death brings a new and
bigger outcome. What does the picture say about
the hope Jesus has?
• The other picture Jesus uses recalls Moses lifting
the bronze serpent on the stick. The people had
sinned by rejecting God’s and Moses’ leadership,
but Moses provides a way for them to be saved.
What does this picture say about how Jesus sees
his destiny?
• Picture yourself as a follower of Jesus having this
earnest conversation. What is he trying to tell
you? He says serving means following. Does this
mean he is asking them to die and if so, die to
what?
Share a powerful dream you have about your future or
a picture of how you see yourself. Talk about the steps
you might have to take to get from here to the picture
you hope for in the future.
Read John 12:20-33
Discussion Questions
• Do you think your future is fixed by “fate” or even
by God?
• Do you think your choices can move you closer
or further away from what you want or what God
wants for you in your future?
• What makes Jesus different from everyone else?
Was it that he already knew his fate, or was it that
he stays true to his destiny as the faithful servant?
Don’t miss Jesus’ message to his followers. They are
in a life and death week just as much as he is. They
have to make a choice. They must choose following
him as their destiny, even if it means losing their lives
to gain eternal life. We know they will fail and won’t
follow Jesus throughout the entire week. Still, Jesus
is true to his destiny and is lifted up. Through this
action, we as his followers, even though we fail, are
drawn back and re-commissioned to our God-given
destiny.
Closing Exercise:
This week, think of examples of how you point your
life toward a destination. Think about what is next
on your to-do list, driving without thinking because
you know the way, or using GPS to get directions to
a strange and new place. But “destiny” is also about
your life questions. Where am I headed? When will
this end? Will this turn out the way I dream? How do I
make my dreams come true?
As a family, take a large sheet of paper and make
a family road map. Put Jesus at one end and
each family member at the other. Draw the paths
and possible events that will lead you to Jesus,
remembering Jesus has the one, true, plan! Keep
your “destiny” photo handy; maybe on your phone or
computer screen to remind you to think about your
destiny.
Closing Exercise:
We all have a “destiny” picture that stays with us.
Our good choices and bad choices give us the opportunity to move toward it. What is a big hope or dream
you have for your life? Is it a dream Christ has for you?
Think of times when Christ’s forgiveness has put his
destiny for you back in your life when you faltered and
failed to follow?
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WEEK 6 - EXPECTATION
PREAMBLE
This week, we will consider the theme of “expectation.” Our scripture will be focused on the picture of
Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem which we commonly call Palm Sunday.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of “expectation?”
• How does this week’s “expectation” photo on the
back of the guide show this theme?
Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem
as Israel’s king. However, he knew that while
the people cheered and waved palm branches,
he would not fulfill their expectation of a king.
Days later, this same cheering crowd would yell
“Crucify him!” because he was not the king of their
expectations.
The people of Israel had high expectations that Jesus
would be the king who came to free them from the
control of the Romans. Jesus wanted to be their king,
but not in the way that the people expected. Read
aloud the passage below and discuss how Jesus as
king was different from the people’s expectation of a
king.
Read Mark 11:1-11
Reflection Questions
• What do you think may have been going through
Jesus’ mind as he heard the people cheer but
knew he would not fulfill their expectations for
a king?
• Where would you have been standing in the
crowd? Eager to meet and touch Jesus? Off to
the side, watching and waiting for him to come
to you? Walking alongside?
• How does your position in the crowd effect your
expectations about Jesus today? Are you up
front and proactive? Expecting Jesus to come
to you? Do you walk alongside of Jesus, but
struggle with what he expects of you?
• How do we find hope when expectations are
unmet, and we are left to pick up the pieces in
order to find a new path?
Read Mark 11:1-11
Discussion Questions
• How do you think Jesus felt when he saw the
people happy and cheering for him?
• If you were standing in the crowd that day, what
would you have done when you saw Jesus? Run up
and try to touch him? Throw your favorite coat on
the ground so the donkey could walk on it? Stand
back and just watch?
• How were the peoples’ expectations of a king
different from the way Jesus came to them as
their king?
• Do we ever ask Jesus to do something for us and
it comes out differently than we expected? How
do we respond?
Closing Exercise:
Listen to Garth Brook’s song “Unanswered
Prayers.” Spend time contemplating those times
when your expectations have been thwarted, and
then look back to see how God intervened for
you, turning damaged expectations into hope.
Thank God for those “unanswered prayers,” and
ask how you might become a beacon of hope to
someone who has recently experienced fragmented
expectations.
Now think of a time when you were very excited about
a special day or event and had great expectations for
it. When the day finally arrived, it ended up different
than how you thought it should go.
• How did you feel when your experience ended up
different from what you expected?
• What did you learn from your experience?
• What special day or event are you looking forward
to today? What are your expectations about the
day?
Closing Exercise:
Make trail mix together. Have each person pour sweet
and salty items into the bowl such as: nuts, raisins,
M&M’s, pretzels, chocolate chips, etc. Discuss
how sometimes life experiences are as sweet as our
expectations, and other times they are salty and
disappoint us. Still, when we see Jesus as the king
of our lives, it all comes together for something good
that nourishes our soul.
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WEEK 7- AWE
PREAMBLE
This week we will consider the theme of “awe”. Our text will be the picture of Jesus’ empty
tomb and the power of Easter.
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
ADULT DEVOTIONAL
Pull out pictures provided for the devotionals and
spread them out on the table.
• Which picture depicts your week or how you feel
today?
• Which picture depicts your idea of “awe”?
• When you think of Easter, what picture comes
to mind? [You might want to go get an actual
picture of an Easter memory from around your
home.]
The word “awe” is interesting. It is used to describe
an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration,
fear, or other emotions. It is usually produced by
something that is grand, powerful and rare.
Read John 20:1-10
Reflection Questions
• After Jesus was buried (before Easter), what do
you think was going through his friends’ minds
and hearts?
• How might Mary and the disciples feel when they
saw the picture of an empty tomb before they
knew Jesus was alive again? When in your life
have you had that feeling?
The word “awe” is interesting. It is used to
describe an overwhelming feeling which could
include reverence, admiration, fear, or other
emotions. It is usually produced by something that
is grand, powerful and rare.
• Name something that could cause a person to
be filled with awe.
Read John 20:11-18
Reflection Questions
• Consider the role of angels in the life of Jesus. In
what other pictures do we see angels?
• Jesus spoke with Mary without her realizing it
was Him. She instead thought he was a gardener.
Consider the biblical idea of a gardener. For
someone who knows the Bible, what significance
might a garden or gardener hold?
• God’s awesome power was displayed in bringing
about new life. Where do you need this type of
power in your life?
Read John 20:1-10
Discussion Questions
• After Jesus was buried (before Easter), what do
you think was going through his friends’ minds
and hearts?
• How do you think seeing an empty tomb must
have felt to Mary and the disciples before they
knew Jesus was alive again?
Closing Exercise:
Live as the Unexpected Evangelist
Read John 20:11-18
Discussion Questions
• Consider the role of angels in the life of Jesus.
In what other pictures do we see angels?
• God’s awesome power was displayed in Jesus’
Resurrection. This is the power of Easter. What
hope does Easter give us today?
Unfortunately for Mary’s culture, a woman was an
unlikely choice for the first witness to the Resurrected
Christ. For instance, women (like shepherds) were
not allowed to testify in court. But this is how
Christ’s Kingdom was going to be established; by
breaking through social hindrances and lifting up
all people to play their unlikely God-given role in the
world.
Closing Exercise:
Easter takes something that is misunderstood
(an empty tomb) and gives it great new meaning.
We have symbols in our own life that might
seem ordinary but are truly significant. Parent,
go get something in the house that holds great
significance to you and your family. Share what
it means and why it is so important. OR Share a
picture from your life where God brought about
unexpected joy and hope. Encourage your children
to do the same.
This week, come to grips with the calling God has on
your life. The resurrected Jesus has appeared to you.
You are sent out in the world to tell this Good News.
Final Picture
Consider your life one year from now. Easter is
the present-day power of God to bring about life
and beauty where we think the story is dark and
complete. Consider where you need the power of
Easter in your life. With faith-filled eyes, paint a
picture of what you hope God creates in your life one
year from now?
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