Let’s be honest—when most of us hear the word Lent, we probably think of weird traditions from Catholicism. Many Church of Christ people, even many Protestants in general, won’t know what I’m talking about at all. If you do know about Lent, maybe it’s because you’ve had friends who “give up chocolate” or fast from social media for 40 days before Easter. For many of us, Lent hasn’t really been part of our faith experience.

So, should we just ignore it? Or could there be something valuable in setting aside a season to refocus on Christ, deepen our faith, and practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and reflection?

While the Bible doesn’t command us to observe Lent, it does call us to things like repentance, self-discipline, and drawing near to God. And that’s what Lent—at its best—is all about. So, instead of seeing it as a rigid religious tradition, what if we saw it as an opportunity?

I wanted to take some time today to explore Lent, why it’s historically been observed, and how members of the Churches of Christ might incorporate some of its meaningful aspects into their spiritual walk without getting caught up in empty rituals.

Understanding Lent

Before we decide whether Lent is something worth considering, let’s take a step back and look at where it comes from.

Lent is traditionally a 40-day period (not including weekends) leading up to Easter, meant to be a time of fasting, prayer, and repentance. But why 40 days? That number shows up a lot in scripture when it comes to preparation and testing. Think about it:

• Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai in God’s presence before receiving the Law (Exodus 34:28).
• The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert, learning to rely on God (Numbers 14:33-34).
• Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb after the showdown with the prophets of Baal.
• Jonah proclaimed judgment on Nineveh, giving them 40 days to repent. They humbled themselves, fasted, and turned from their ways.
• Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).

Each of these examples involved a time of challenge, self-denial, and preparation for something greater. Jesus’ 40-day fast, in particular, is the most direct parallel to Lent—it was a time of resisting temptation, focusing on the Father, and preparing for the mission ahead.

Is Lent Biblical? A Church of Christ Perspective

At this point, you might be thinking, “Okay, I get that Lent has some biblical themes, but isn’t it just a human tradition?”

That’s a fair question—one that many in the Churches of Christ have asked. Our heritage has always emphasized the importance of following the Bible as our authority. If something is a man-made tradition rather than a direct biblical command, we tend to approach it with an abundance of caution. And that’s a good thing (generally)! Jesus Himself warned against elevating human traditions above God’s Word (Mark 7:6-8).

At the same time, there are many man-made traditions that certain members of the Churches of Christ are happy to argue about until they are blue in the face. Admittedly, we like to pick and choose the extent to which we apply this principle. (Another topic for another time).

So, where does Lent fit into this conversation?

Lent Is Not a Biblical Command

Let’s be clear: Nowhere in the New Testament do we see an explicit command to observe Lent. The apostles never mention it, and the early church didn’t seem to practice it as it’s commonly observed today. Lent, as a formal season, developed centuries after the time of Christ.

That means we shouldn’t treat it as something required for Christians. We are not under the Law, and our faith is not based on rituals or religious seasons (Colossians 2:16-17).

But Lent Emphasizes Biblical Practices

Just because something isn’t commanded doesn’t mean it’s wrong or useless. The Bible doesn’t mention pews, VBS, or sheet music. Still, we generally accept these things as helpful for practicing biblical principles.

Many of the principles emphasized during Lent—repentance, fasting, prayer, and reflection on Christ’s sacrifice—are found all over scripture. The key is ensuring these practices come from a heart devoted to God, not out of obligation or tradition for tradition’s sake.

Fasting, for example, is a spiritual discipline that Jesus expected His followers to practice (Matthew 6:16-18). Paul encourages self-examination and repentance (2 Corinthians 13:5). The early church devoted itself to prayer (Acts 2:42).

These aren’t “Lent-specific” ideas; they’re part of everyday Christian living.

The Danger of Empty Rituals

One concern some have is that observing Lent could become an empty religious practice—something we do just because it’s a widely accepted tradition. That’s a valid concern. If giving something up for Lent becomes more about checking a box than actually drawing near God, it’s missing the point.

The Bible warns against external religion that lacks true devotion (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27-28). If we choose to incorporate elements of Lent into our lives, the focus must remain on deepening our faith in Christ, not just following a church calendar.

So, Should We Observe Lent?

Here’s the bottom line:

• We are not required to observe Lent—it’s a tradition, not a command.
• However, the principles behind Lent (self-discipline, repentance, focusing on Christ) are deeply biblical.
• If done with the right heart, Lent can be a valuable time of spiritual renewal. Still, it should never be treated as a religious obligation.

So, rather than asking, “Is Lent something I have to do?” a better question might be, “Could Lent be a helpful tool in my walk with Christ?”

How Lent Can Enrich Our Spiritual Lives & Practical Ways to Observe It

Even though Lent isn’t a traditional practice in the Church of Christ, it offers a valuable opportunity for spiritual renewal. Instead of seeing it as a religious obligation, we can view it as a focused season to examine our hearts, deepen our faith, and prepare for Easter in a meaningful way.

Here are some ways Lent can be spiritually enriching and how we can practically incorporate its principles into our walk with Christ:

1. Self-Examination & Repentance

Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” Lent can be a season to pause and reflect on our spiritual health. Ask yourself:

• Am I growing in my love for God and others?
• Are there sins I need to confess?
• Have I become too distracted by worldly things?

This time isn’t about guilt but realigning our hearts with God and drawing closer to Him.

2. Deepening Prayer & Scripture Study

Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16), reminding us that spending intentional time with God is vital. Consider setting aside extra time for:

• Prayer – Talking to God about your struggles, gratitude, and spiritual growth.
• Bible Reading – Focusing on Jesus’ journey to the cross (Matthew 26-28, Luke 22-24) or Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22).
• Journaling – Writing reflections on scripture, prayers, and insights from your time with God.

If you already have a Bible reading habit, Lent can be a chance to go deeper and meditate on God’s Word with a fresh focus.

3. Fasting & Self-Denial

Fasting isn’t just about food—it’s about removing distractions to focus more on God. Jesus fasted before His ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). Though fasting isn’t a command, it’s a powerful spiritual discipline when done with the right heart. Consider fasting from something that tends to consume your attention, such as:

• Social media or TV
• Unnecessary spending
• Certain foods or drinks
• Harmful behaviors like gossip or complaining

The goal isn’t just to “give something up” but to replace that time with prayer, scripture, and seeking God.

4. Acts of Service & Generosity

Lent isn’t just about personal devotion—it’s also an opportunity to love others in practical ways. Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

Simple ways to serve during this season:

• Write an encouraging note or text to someone.
• Visit the sick or those who are homebound.
• Support a local food pantry or outreach ministry.
• Look for ways to be intentionally kind and generous in daily interactions.

Sometimes, the best way to grow spiritually is to live out our faith in love.

5. Deepening Worship & Fellowship

Easter is the most significant event in Christian history, but too often, it sneaks up on us. Lent can be a time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection by:

• Attending worship with a renewed focus on Christ’s sacrifice.
• Meditating more deeply during the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
• Singing hymns or worship songs about the cross and resurrection.
• Gathering with family or friends for prayer and reflection.

By being intentional in our worship, Easter becomes more than just another Sunday—it becomes a true celebration of victory in Christ.

A Call to Christ-Centered Renewal

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to “observe Lent” just for the sake of doing it. The goal is to draw closer to Christ. Whether or not you formally recognize this season, the invitation to renewal, repentance, and spiritual growth is for every Christian every day.

So, here’s the challenge: What would happen if you intentionally focused on deepening your faith for the next few weeks leading up to Easter?

• What if you set aside extra time each day for prayer and reflection?
• What if you deliberately tried to fast from distractions that pull you away from God?
• What if you used this time to serve others in a new way, reflecting the love of Christ?
• What if you prepared your heart for Resurrection Sunday in a way that made Easter more than just another holiday?

None of this has to be formal or rigid. It’s not about following a church calendar—it’s about making space in your life to grow in Christ. Lent is simply a tool to help us do that.

Final Thoughts

As members of the Church of Christ, we strive to be Bible-focused and Christ-centered in everything we do. While Lent is not a biblical command, it is a season that can be used for spiritual reflection and renewal.

If it helps you focus on Jesus, great! If not, that’s okay too. The important thing is that we continually seek to grow in our faith—not just for 40 days, but every day.

So, as Easter approaches, take some time to reflect. Draw near to God. Set aside distractions. Renew your heart in Christ. At the end of the day, it’s not about tradition—it’s about the transforming power of the gospel.

What will you do in this season to grow closer to Christ?