The Narrative Lectionary - Working Preacher

1 The Narrative Lectionary (NL) is a four-year cycle of readings for use in worship and preaching. The goal is to preach annually through the biblical Narrative so that the lives of believers might be centered in God s story. Each week, two texts are provided a preaching text and an accompanying ReadingsThe Narrative Lectionary follows the academic/program year (Sept. May), and it is shaped by the church year. Each year the preaching texts trace the sweep of the biblical story: Old Testament: From the Sunday after Labor Day through Advent, Old Testament readings (with accompanying texts from the Gospels) move through the story of God s dealings with Israel and culminate in Advent with the prophets longing and hope for the coming Messiah.

2 One Gospel each year: From Christmas to Easter, readings from one Gospel (with accompanying texts from the Psalms) tell the story of the birth of the Messiah at Christmas, the revelation of the Messiah during Epiphany, and Jesus passion through Lent and Holy Week. Early Church: From Easter Sunday through the Day of Pentecost, readings from the Gospel, Acts and Paul s letters tell of the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church s preaching series Readings for preaching series are provided from the Sunday after Pentecost through the summer: Old Testament series (such as Psalms, Wisdom or Ruth). New Testament series (such as Hebrews, Ephesians, 1 John or Revelation). Catechetical series (such as Creeds, Ten Commandments, Lord s Prayer).

3 Join God s Story!The Narrative Lectionary continues to grow across denominations and around the globe. Through the Narrative Lectionary , the Holy Spirit is connecting people with God s story. Pastors and other leaders report the power of God s Word as preached through the Narrative Lectionary . If you have any questions about the Narrative Lectionary , send an email to Narrative Lectionary2017-2018 (John)Visit for free resources related to the Narrative Lectionary Readings for 2017-2018 DateFestivalTex t s Story9/10 Pent e c os t 14 Genesis 1:1 2:4a ( John 1:1-5)Creation by the Word9/17 Pentecost 15 Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14 (John 1:29)Binding of Isaac9/ 24 Pentecost 16 Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17 (John 1:50-51)Jacob s Dream10/1 Pentecos t 17 Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-15.

4 4:10-17 (John 8:58) God s Name Is Revealed10/8 Pentecost 18 Exodus 16:1-18 (John 6:51) God Provides Manna10/15 Pent ecos t 191 Samuel 3:1-21 (John 20:21-23) God Calls Samuel10/22 Pentecost 201 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14 (John 7:24) God Calls David10/29 Pentecost 211 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 (John 2:19-21) Solomon s Temple11/5 Pentecost 221 Kings 19:1-18 (John 12:27-28) God Speaks to Elijah11/12 Pentecost 23 Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 (John 7:37-38) Amos: Justice Rolls Down11/19 Pentecost 24 Isaiah 9:1-7 (John 8:12) Isaiah: A Child Is Born11/26 Christ the KingJeremiah 29:1, 4-14 (John 14:27) Jeremiah s Letter to Exiles12/3 Advent 1 Daniel 3:1, [2-7] 8-30 (John 18:36-37) Daniel: The Fiery Furnace12/10 Advent 2 Ezekiel 37:1-14 (John 11:25-26) Ezekiel: Valley of Dry Bones12/17 Advent 3 Isaiah 55:1-13 (John 4:13-14) Word Accomplishes God s Purpose12/24 Advent 4 John 1:1-18 (Psalm 130:5-8) Word Made Flesh12/24 Christmas EveLuke 2:1-14 [15-20] (Psalm 96:7-10)Birth of Jesus12/25 Christmas DayLuke 2:8-20 (Psalm 123:1-2 or 123:2)Shepherds Visit12/31 Christmas 1 John 1:19-34 (Psalm 32.)

5 1-2)A Voice in the Wilderness1/7 Baptism of Our LordJohn 1:35-51 (Psalm 66:1-5)Jesus Says Come and See1/14 Epiphany 2 John 2:1-11 (Psalm 104:14-16)Wedding at Cana1/21 Epiphany 3 John 2:13-25 (Psalm 127:1-2)Jesus Cleanses the Temple1/28 Epiphany 4 John 3:1-21 (Psalm 139:13-18)Nicodemus2/4 Epiphany 5 John 4:1-42 (Psalm 42:1-3) The Woman at the Well2 9:1-41 (Psalm 27:1-4)The Man Born Blind2/14A sh 10:1-18 (Psalm 23)The Good Shepherd2/18 Lent 1 John 11:1-44 (Psalm 104:27-30)Jesus Raises Lazarus2/25 Lent 2 John 13:1-17 (Psalm 51:7-12)Jesus Washes Feet3/4 Lent 3 John 18:12-27 (Psalm 17:1-7)Peter s Denial3/11 Lent 4 John 18:28-40 (Psalm 145:10-13)Jesus and Pilate3/18 Lent 5 John 19:1-16a (Psalm 146)Jesus Condemned3/25 Palm (opt.

6 John 12:12-27 Triumphal Entry PassionJohn 19:16b-22 (Psalm 24)The Crucified Messiah3/29 Maundy 19:23-30 (Psalm 26:3)Jesus Last Words3/30 Good 19:31-42 (Psalm 31:9-18)Jesus the Passover Lamb4/1 Easter 1 John 20:1-18 (Psalm 118:21-29)Resurrection4/8 Easter 2 John 20:19-31 (Psalm 145:13-21)Thomas4/15 Easter 3 Acts 9:1-19a (Matthew 6:24)Paul s Conversion4/22 Easter 4 Acts 16:16-34 (Luke 6:18-19, 22-23)Paul and Silas4/29 Easter 5 Acts 17:16-31 (John 1:16-18)Paul s Sermon at Athens5/6 Easter 6 Philippians 1:1-18a (Luke 9:46-48)Partnership in the Gospel5/13 Easter 7 Philippians 2:1-13 (Luke 6:43-45)The Christ Hymn5/20 PentecostActs 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7 (John 14:16-17) Pentecost; Rejoice in the LordThe Narrative Lectionary is an open-source project hosted by Luther Seminary.

7 The 2017-2018 brochure was created by Luther Seminary and paid for by these Lessons! Here, finally, is wonderful, theologically solid, developmentally appropriate,deep, yet easy to teach curriculum to get children into God s story. -Marilyn Sharpe, Certified Family Life Educator and Faith Formation ConsultantWorship God. Form Faith. Live LectionaryFaith Formation for the Whole CongregationA quarterly resource with a Scottish fl avour for Worship Leaders, Sunday Schools, Junior Churches and Youth Leaders based on the Narrative Leaders based spill the beansworship and learning resources for all agesA quarterly resource with a LifeMosaic, a Narrative Lectionary Bible Study series for adults, uses experiential learning styles so no one gets bored and everyone is involved.

8 ACT out the story. LISTEN to a song. WATCH a video. STUDY the Bible with the fruit of fellowship. Fall 2017 Created to Serve God Winter 2017-18 John: God with UsSpring 2018 From Christ to the SpiritSummer 2018 Following GodDownload a free sample at now direct from the publisher at