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As we approach the season of Lent, many of us instinctively think of it as a time for giving things up—a forty-day stretch marked by restraint and self-denial. While that instinct isn’t wrong, it is incomplete. At The Well, we believe Lent is ultimately about making room. It is an invitation to clear space in our lives so that the Word of God might dwell more richly among us.

This year, we are inviting our entire church into a shared rhythm called Applying Lent, a 47-day devotional journey that begins on Ash Wednesday and carries us through Easter Sunday. The length is intentional. Though Lent is often spoken of as a forty-day season, the Church has historically excluded Sundays from the count, treating each one as a weekly celebration of resurrection. Our devotional follows the full span of days so that even as we reflect, repent, and slow our pace, we remain anchored in resurrection hope from beginning to end.

The title Applying Lent is also deliberate. This is not a resource meant only to be read or completed. It is designed to be lived. Each day moves through a simple, repeatable rhythm that helps carry the gospel from our minds into our daily lives. We begin with Scripture, grounding ourselves in God’s Word. From there, a short introduction situates the passage within the larger story of Jesus. Prayer invites honest response, reflection presses the text into our particular circumstances, and a daily practice gives us a tangible way to walk in obedience.

Over the course of these weeks, the theological arc is wide and purposeful. We begin at the beginning, opening Genesis and John to behold Jesus as the eternal Word through whom all things were made. From there, we trace His identity through the Scriptures of Israel, seeing Him as the promised seed, the Passover Lamb, the greater Moses, and the Prince of Peace. By the time we reach Holy Week, we are not merely observing familiar events. We are walking with a King we have come to know through sustained attention to His Word.

This journey is meant for the whole church. Because we know that forming the next generation is a central calling for many in our community, each day includes a Family Moment that translates these same truths into language and practices children can grasp. Whether you are a student, a parent, or someone navigating a demanding season of life, this resource is built to meet you where you are without lowering the depth of what is being taught.

The devotional is available digitally at lent.thewellaustin.com and can be accessed anywhere. We encourage you to set a daily rhythm, to share reflections with friends or your Life Group, and to make use of the reflection music included throughout as a way of cultivating quiet and attention in ordinary spaces.

Lent is a journey toward the Cross, but it is not a journey we take alone. This season, we invite you to walk with us as we apply the beauty and weight of the gospel together. To begin, “Begin the Journey” on the home screen and visit the Guide to learn how to make the most of these resources.