If you look at this kaleidoscope of colors and think, Ooh! Child’s play. I couldn’t agree with you more. Sometimes I giggle at God’s sense of humor.
In Mark 10:15, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Every time I use thick crayons and periwinkle pens and pencils to study Scripture, I imagine the joy of Jesus.
For me, these colors reawaken the thrill of studying the Bible.
These playful instruments are powerful tools that I’ve been using to mine the opening chapter of the Gospel of John.
Coloring the Scripture is the method I’m using during Lent to create more white space for God.
Today marks the start of first day of Lent, my favorite season in the church calendar. As a child, I couldn’t sleep for anticipation of Christmas morning.
As an adult, I stare at the ceiling wide-eyed in anticipation of Lent morning.
This is a season set apart to prepare our hearts and minds for the resurrection of Christ at Easter.
You’re invited to join me and some incredible friends to read through the Gospel of John over the next 40 days.
That requires reading less than a chapter of the Bible each day.
To download the FREE reading guide, click here.
We have a little over one box Beloved: 40 Days in the Gospel of John remaining. When they are sold out, you will no longer find them in our store.
The book includes:
- A Welcome Letter
- The Reading Plan
- Instructions on How to Use the Color Method
- Suggestions on How to Get the Most from Your Study Time
- Space to take notes and doodle and color around each day’s reading
- All 40 days of Bible readings in various translations
Or you may prefer to download Beloved: 40 Days in the Gospel of John eBook/PDF Download for instant delivery.
Friends including Catalyst Conference, YouVersion, and more are joining us this year. Last year, we had more than 75,000 people join in the Lent reading—we’d love for you to be part of this precious community this year.
Will you let us know that you’re onboard by posting about what you’re discovering as you read on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog? Invite a friend or coworker to join you.
As questions come along, please leave them as comments on each week’s blog posts. Throughout Lent, our friend and New Testament Bible scholar, Craig Blomberg will be providing insightful answers.
But back to the issue of the kaleidoscope of color.
Let me be clear: You do not need to go all cray cray crayon to do the Lent Bible reading plan.
I use the Color Method to dig deep into Scripture as a spiritual discipline that helps me know Christ more.
I’m always hesitant showing you my Bible doodles and reading because:
1. I draw like a four-year- old.
2. I know some scholars would scoff at this approach.
3. My observations are raw and unrefined.
4. I don’t want you to think I don’t take Lent seriously.
My color key and approach will shift and modify, but here’s the initial plan.
Verbs are circled in red. Highlighting the activity of people and God.
Names are underlined in brown. Additional mentions receive an extra underline.
Timing is circled in blue. Noting when, then, and after exposes God’s blueprint.
Numbers are circled in orange. Numerals often have Biblical significance.
The Holy Spirit, angels, the prophetic are marked in light blue. A steady presence.
Observations are in a favorite color. Comments, insights, humorous notes.
Doodles appear in a variety of colors. Doodling allows the soul to reflect.
I miss circles and underlines of verbs and places and mentions of the Holy Spirit on every page. This isn’t about perfect markings.
The goal is interacting with the text in a tactile way that uncovers patterns and placement and primes our hearts to hear from God through familiar passages in fresh ways.
An observation recorded in chicken scratch from John 1:1-18:
What if John said no?
That question rings deep.
John the Baptist is introduced as a man “sent from God”.
The meaning of John: God is gracious.
As an expression of divine graciousness, God sends John as a witness to bear witness.
Maybe I’m just being ornery, but what if John said no?
Perhaps I stumble into this wonderment because deep down inside I ask: What if I said no? What if you said no?
Because this is a question we face every day.
Jesus sends John. Jesus sends us.
We are the ones meant to bear witness, to shine bright, to use our actions and words and gifts and fibers of our being to…
Proclaim the grand news.
Proclaim freedom to the tied-up.
Open blind eyes.
Set prisoners free.
Proclaim God’s favor.
In thought and word and deed, we, too, are called by God to be fiery displays of His fierce love.
We may not stand in the river’s currents donning scratchy clothing and surviving on wild honey, but God sends us, too.
What do I most need to read, but least want to hear?
That today is a decision day. Tomorrow will be too. We live in the valley of decision.
I am sent. You are sent. We are sent.
We can say no. But what if we say yes?
Yes! to the Holy Spirit moving through us.
Yes! to Jesus leading us every step of the way.
Yes! to knowing God as the Beloved and discovering ourselves as His beloved.
This is the decision we must make.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. The Gospel of John is known as the “Gospel of Decision.”
Throughout the upcoming 40 days of reading, we will be presented with many choices.
Life or death.
Light or darkness.
Hope or despair.
Bread or stones.
Faith or unbelief.
Now let me ask you: What did you least want to read but most need to hear in today’s reading?
(If you have any questions post them below. We’ll be collecting and gathering responses for insight from New Testament scholar, Craig Blomberg in the upcoming weeks).
Day One: John 1:1-18 Discussion Questions:
1. Make a list of the titles and words used to introduce us to Jesus Christ?
2. What do each of these titles and words reveal about the identity of Christ?
3. Which aspect of the identity of Christ are most meaningful to you right now? Why? the most meaningful to you? Why?
4. Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 alongside John 1:1-18. What parallels or themes do you recognize in both passages?
5. What do you find most challenging about today’s reading? What do you find most comforting about today’s reading?
Recommended resource:
- Beloved: 40 Days in the Gospel of John eBook/PDF Download
- Free Lent 2017 Reading Guide
- The Gospel According to John by Leon Morris
- Not Today Satan Mug from Jessica Taylor Design
Day 1 | John 1:1-18 | Ash Wednesday: Your Invitation to Discover the Beloved
Day 2 | John 1:19-34 | This One Question Will Leave You Undone
Day 3 | John 1: 35-51 | What to Tell Your Children Before It’s Too Late
Day 4 | John 2:1-12 | The Shocking Miracle of Water Becoming Wine
Day 7 | John 3:22-36 | There’s a Hidden Slip N’ Slide in the Bible — I Found It!
Day 9 | John 5:1-17 | How to Overcome Jealousy
Day 12 | John 6:15-35 | What to Do When You Doubt God
Day 14 | John 7:1-39 | What’s the Difference Between Dead and Living Water?
Day 16 | John 8:1-1 | You Stumped Me… Again
Day 17 | John 8:12-59 | 7 Surprises in the Gospel of John
Day 18 | John 9 | What does spiritual blindness really cost you?
Day 22 | John 12:1-11 | What’s Your Signature Spiritual Scent?
Day 23 | John 12:12-50 | Here is a Method That is Helping Me Relinquish Control
Day 25 | John 15:1-11 | What Does a Vinter See in John 15
Day 29 | John 16:1-15 | Little Known Ways to Be of Good Cheer
Day 31 | John 17 | The Truth About Soul Talk
Day 33 | John 18:12-40 | Was it Judas or Satan Working through Judas?
Day 35 | John 19:16-30 | What’s a Woman’s Role
Day 39 | John 21:1-14 | Why is the Weight of the Wait So Heavy on Good Friday?
Day 40 | John 21:15-25 | The Most Powerful Lesson I Learned During Lent
The message today calls me to declare openly in Word, Thought and Deed my true ((Light/Life) source, I am a morning person and Lighthouse true admirer. Yet this scripture reminds me, that I am called to personally breath in His Light daily and reflect His Light to all I encounter. As Christ is the Light of the Workd and we who bear His name as CHRISTAINs need to bear His Light boldly with sincere humility know that Jesus is the Light of all Life and we are called to walk inHis light and flee all darkness. Amen Amen.
“Called to personally breath in His Light.” Oh Laura, that is so beautiful. I love it! So glad you’re joining us.
Dear Margaret,
How profound your words sound, when you say, ‘We are the ones meant to bear witness, to shine bright, to use our actions and words and gifts and fibers of our being to…Proclaim the grand news. Proclaim freedom to the tied-up. Open blind eyes. Set prisoners free. Proclaim God’s favor.’ That is beautiful indeed, as the beautiful spirit that you hold between your shoulders. If we ever view our existence on this planet as an opportunity or a platform to lead the blind and educate the ignorant; our love, our remembrance of the Lord and, above all, our humanity would flourish beyond the horizons and rejoice the blessings of the Almighty. Ah! It is so meaningful to lead a life as a messenger! I sincerely thank you for your zeal and passion. May the Lord guide you in every step to see the Truth in an era overwhelmingly powered by falsehood! Warmest regards.
Thank you for your kindness, Majed!
I LOVE that Dr Blomberg will be piping in. I loved that my time at TNL allowed me to hear both of you speak, multiple times. Though, I have known the Blombergs many years from the church I grew up in. I look forward to the next 40 days. Thank you Margaret! #disrupt
Awww. Huge hug to you, Aryn! Thanks for being such a steadfast cheerleader. <3
I started the journey this morning. I found it to be enjoyable but challenging. I am looking forward with great anticipation to continuing this study. Thank you, Margaret for sharing with us.
Hey Miss Carolyn!! SO glad you are joining us. Hug to you.
Studying in color is a new thing for me but I believe it will transform the way I see and internalize the Word. Your enthusiasm and Joy are so contagious! Thank you, Margaret!
It seems so silly at first, but its amazing what new things I discover along the way. SO glad you’re giving it a shot, Bonnie!
I have completed the first day reading. Really like the plan of using colors to highlight names and different aspects of words. (I love coloring anyway (Promises of Joy color book) so I can relate to colors! It is going to be a fabulous 40 Days! Thank you so much.
EEEkkkk sounds like the perfect fit for you, Penni! Hugs!
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now
I enjoyed reading the lesson for today, and here’s how I started my first day. I read it, then I went back and colored it; and then I listened to it while reading it (with my colored marks), and then I read it in another version. It gave me a tug to know God on a deeper level. Knowing he came to earth for us, and we didn’t know him…and so many still don’t; then, I realized I do, and I want to know him that much more! It was challenging to color initially, but then I got over it and it felt good.
WOW. Way to internalize it, Christine. Cannot wait to hear what God reveals to you during this season!
This is the second study I have done with you and I am really encouraged by your joy and excitement. I love using the different colors and markings to make things stand out. What stood out for me in today’s study is the fact that in receiving Jesus Christ into my heart, I have become a daughter of God. And the best part is, all I have to do is believe.
AWWW Farol! Thanks so much for your encouragement. Love studying the Word with you.
Started my journey today. Very excited to try the color method. I always find it hard to think about the readings on a deeper level. It’s very helpful to read others comments and see how they relate to my own or are completely different.
I love that we can do this as a community with friends from around the entire world. And I’m extra glad you’re joining us, Lybbye. <3
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
These are the verses that stood out to me. Three times John mentions that God was not received. In particular the first one stood out: the darkness comprehended it not. God is not understood by the darkness. How I can expect people who don’t comprehend God to “get” God? To have them want to come to a saving knowledge of Christ?
I also loved that grace is repeated 3-4 times. Grace. I can’t help to shake my head in wonder. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
Father God, thank you for your grace. Shine your light in me so that I can be a light in the darkness; even though the world can’t comprehend it, may it stir something in their heart so that they seek out the source of the light.
Brings tears to my eyes, Cyndi. So amazing how such a familiar passage can read so differently this time around. Huge hug to you, friend.
Thank you Margaret for sharing your heart! I look forward to these daily readings! Blessings??
I’m so thrilled you’re joining us, Barbara!
from Day One: GRACE and TRUTH came by Jesus. That’s what keeps ringing in my ears. (and it was fun to draw hearts around those words and color them in-powerful to see). Thank you, Margaret!
Beautiful! Grateful to have you join us! Hugs!
verse 16 Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
What or which grace is it that has been replaced by the grace as revealed by Jesus?
Jesus Himself was in the world, yet He in His humanness He still managed to give us Heavenly identities that no one else chose for us except the Heavenly Father. This is how I should be looking at everyone around me who is made in the image and likeness of our Father. Never forgetting their Heavenly identity.
beautiful. This I must read.