Narrative Lectionary

The Narrative Lectionary is a four year reading plan that is designed to be read September through May, following the school year. These readings focus on the narrative from Genesis through Jesus life. Find out more about the Narrative Lectionary at WorkingPreacher.org.

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Year 4: 2013 - 2014

Previous year: 2012-2013 | Next year: 2014-2015

DateService/ThemeReadingsSearch
Sun, Sep 08, 2013CreationGenesis 1:1-2:4a; Creation by the word; light, life; It was good
John 1:1-5; In the beginning was the Word, all things were made through him

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Sun, Sep 15, 2013AbrahamGenesis 21:1-3, 22:1-14; God keeps his word to give Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. Abraham is told to sacrifice his beloved son, but God provides the lamb
John 1:29; Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

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Sun, Sep 22, 2013Jacob and JosephGenesis 27:1-4, 15-23, 28:10-17; Jacob obtains a blessing by trickery and flees. He dreams of a ladder on which the angels ascend and descend. Receives God's promise
John 1:50-51; Angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man

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Sun, Sep 29, 2013ExodusExodus 2:23-25, 3:1-15, 4:10-17; God reveals that his name is "I Am." Moses is a reluctant messenger, but God uses him to deliver Israel.
John 8:58; Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am"

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Sun, Oct 06, 2013Law and WildernessExodus 16:1-18; People complain and God provides manna. To live by manna is to live by faith in what God gives.
John 6:51; Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven; the bread he gives is his flesh

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Sun, Oct 13, 2013Judges1 Samuel 3:1-21; God calls Samuel in the night. He says, Speak Lord for your servant is listening. Told to warn of sin in Israel.
John 20:21-23; As the Father sent me so I send you; if you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any they are retained

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Sun, Oct 20, 2013David1 Sam 16:1-13 Psalm 51:10-14; God does not look on outward appearance but on the heart; create in me a clean heart
John 7:24; Do not judge by appearances but judge with right judgment

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Sun, Oct 27, 2013Solomon to the Divided Kingdom1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:1-13; Solomon's temple – a place of sacrifice and divine presence
John 2:19-21; Destroy the temple and I will raise it in three days; he spoke of the temple of his body

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Sun, Nov 03, 2013Elijah and Elisha1 Kings 19:1-18; Elijah at Horeb; The prophet in despair, God speaks in the silence
John 12:27-28; Jesus is troubled; What shall I say, Father save me from this hour? No, for this reason I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name

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Sun, Nov 10, 2013Minor prophetsAmos 1:1-2, 5:14-15, 21-24; Let justice roll down like waters & righteousness like an ever- flowing stream
John 7:37-38; Jesus said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water."

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Sun, Nov 17, 2013Isaiah and HezekiahIsaiah 9:1-7; People who walked in darkness have seen a great light
John 8:12; I am the light of the world

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Sun, Nov 24, 2013Jeremiah and JosiahJeremiah 29:1, 4-14; Seek the welfare of the city; I know the plans I have for you
John 14:27; Peace I leave with you; Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid

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Sun, Dec 01, 2013Into ExileDaniel 3:1, 8-30; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; God present in the fiery furnace
John 18:36-37; Jesus tells Pilate that his kingdom is not from this world. He came to bear witness to the truth.

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Sun, Dec 08, 2013Return From ExileEzekiel 37:1-14; Ezekiel prophesies to the dry bones and they are raised to new life.
John 11:25-26; Jesus is the resurrection and the life

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Sun, Dec 15, 2013Return from ExileIsaiah 55:1-13; Let anyone who is thirsty come to the waters; God's word will not return empty
John 4:13-14; Jesus promises the gift of living water to those who thirst

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Sun, Dec 22, 2013Preparing for the Messiah's birthJohn 1:1-18; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth

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Tue, Dec 24, 2013Christmas EveLuke 2:1-14 (15-20); Birth of Jesus
Psalm 96:7-10;

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Wed, Dec 25, 2013Christmas DayLuke 2:8-20; Shepherds visit the infant Jesus
or Matthew 2:1-12; The Magi
Psalm 102:13-15;

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Sun, Dec 29, 2013Christmas 1John 1:19-34; John the Baptist questioned; says he is not the Christ, Elijah, or the prophet but a voice in the wilderness

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Sun, Jan 05, 2014Christmas 2John 1:35-51; Behold the Lamb of God, Call of disciples, "Come and see"

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Sun, Jan 12, 2014Epiphany 1John 2:1-11; Wedding at Cana, water into wine

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Sun, Jan 19, 2014Epiphany 2John 2:13-25; Jesus cleanses the temple, signifying the destruction and raising of the temple of his body

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Sun, Jan 26, 2014Epiphany 3John 3:1-21; Jesus and Nicodemus, being born anew, and God's love for the world

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Sun, Feb 02, 2014Epiphany 4John 4:1-42; Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at well, speaks of living water, true worship, and the fields white for harvest

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Sun, Feb 09, 2014Epiphany 5John 4:46-54; Healing official's son, faith in the word of promise
and/or John 5:1-18; Invalid at Bethesda, Jesus heals one who shows no faith

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Sun, Feb 16, 2014Epiphany 6John 6:35-59; The Bread of Life that comes from heaven

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Sun, Feb 23, 2014Epiphany 7John 7:37-52; Jesus' promise of the Spirit's living water

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(Not this year)Epiphany 8John 8:12-30; Light of the world

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Sun, Mar 02, 2014TransfigurationJohn 9:1-41; Jesus is the light of the world – brings light to the eyes of a man born blind

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Wed, Mar 05, 2014Ash WednesdayJohn 10:1-18; Jesus the gate and good shepherd, who lays down his life

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Sun, Mar 09, 2014Lent 1John 11:1-44; Raising Lazarus, Jesus as the resurrection and life

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Sun, Mar 16, 2014Lent 2John 13:1-17; Footwashing as a sign of Jesus' love and example

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Sun, Mar 23, 2014Lent 3John 18:12-27; Trial before Annas, Peter's denial

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Sun, Mar 30, 2014Lent 4John 18:28-40; Jesus and Pilate, kingdom not from this world

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Sun, Apr 06, 2014Lent 5John 19:1-16a; Jesus is condemned, they have no king but Caesar

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Sun, Apr 13, 2014Palm SundayJohn 19:16b-22; Sign above the cross proclaims curcified king

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Thu, Apr 17, 2014Maundy ThursdayJohn 19:23-30; Woman, behold your son, I thirst, It is finished

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Fri, Apr 18, 2014Good FridayJohn 19:31-42; His bones are not broken (as Passover Lamb), water from the side, a royal burial

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Sun, Apr 20, 2014EasterJohn 20:1-18; Resurrection, empty tomb, calls Mary by name EARLY CHURCH

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Sun, Apr 27, 2014Easter 2John 20:19-31; Giving of Spirit, appearance to Thomas

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Sun, May 04, 2014Easter 3Acts 9:1-19a; Paul and Ananias, each called into Christ's service (locally and globally)

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Sun, May 11, 2014Easter 4Acts 16:16-34; Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi, jailor and his family are baptized

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Sun, May 18, 2014Easter 5Acts 17:16-31; Paul's sermon at Athens: What you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you

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Sun, May 25, 2014Easter 6Philippians 1:1- 18a; Paul in prison, thankful for the Philippians' partnership in the gospel

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Sun, Jun 01, 2014Easter 7Phil 2:1-13; Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who became obedient to death

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Sun, Jun 08, 2014PentecostActs 2:1-21, Phil 4:4-7; Pentecost and gift of the Spirit as miracle of communication
optional: Phil 4:4-7; Rejoice in the Lord always. The peace of God

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Previous year: 2012-2013 | Next year: 2014-2015