Life is a journey, and Lent is a season where we intentionally walk with Jesus on His road to the cross and beyond. This year at Trinity, we are continuing our journey through the Gospel of Matthew in our Lenten series, Road to Redemption. Each step along the way reveals more about Jesus, His mission, and what it means for us to follow Him.

Let’s take a look at where this road will take us.

Ash Wednesday (March 5) – Starting in the Desert

Matthew 4:1-11

The road to redemption begins in the wilderness. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He spends 40 days fasting and facing temptation. But unlike us, Jesus overcomes every test. His victory in the desert foreshadows the ultimate victory He will win for us on the cross.

Reflection: As we begin Lent, what distractions or temptations do we need to surrender to God?

Week 1 (March 9) – Divine Detour

Matthew 8:5-17

Not all journeys go as planned. This week, we see Jesus take a divine detour to encounter an unexpected individual—a Roman centurion. Through this encounter, we learn a powerful lesson about faith, humility, and trusting in God’s authority.

Reflection: How has God used unexpected detours in your life to deepen your faith?

Week 2 (March 16) – The Cost of the Journey

Matthew 10:5-42

Following Jesus comes with a cost. In His second major teaching block, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges ahead. He reminds them (and us) that the road of discipleship isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

Reflection: What sacrifices have you made—or need to make—to follow Jesus more fully?

Week 3 (March 23) – Understanding the Journey

Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-52

Jesus teaches in parables—stories with deep truths—to help us understand what God’s Kingdom is like. This week, we’ll explore these stories and why people respond so differently to Jesus’ message.

Reflection: What kind of soil is your heart? Are you open to what God wants to plant in your life?

Week 4 (March 30) – The Best Seat in the Car

Matthew 19:16-20:16

What does it mean to be great in God’s Kingdom? Jesus challenges our assumptions about power, position, and success. He flips our expectations upside down and invites us to serve rather than be served.

Reflection: How do you define greatness? How does Jesus’ teaching reshape that definition?

Week 5 (April 6) – Are We There Yet? (Baptism Weekend)

Matthew 24:1-25:46

As Jesus nears the end of His journey, He speaks about the future—what is still to come and how we should live in the meantime. This passage reminds us that our journey isn’t just about today but also about eternity.

Reflection: How does knowing the destination shape the way you live now?

Palm Sunday (April 13) – Arriving in Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1-17

Jesus finally arrives in Jerusalem, but not in the way people expected. Instead of coming as a conquering king, He rides in on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and revealing the true nature of His mission.

Reflection: Where in your life might you be expecting Jesus to show up one way, but He is doing something different?

Maundy Thursday (April 17) – A Holy Rest Stop

Matthew 26:17-35

Before the cross, Jesus pauses with His disciples for one last meal. He gives them a gift—His body and blood in the bread and wine. This holy rest stop reminds us of His love, His sacrifice, and the promise of His presence with us always.

Reflection: How does Jesus’ sacrifice shape the way you live?

Good Friday (April 18) – An Unexpected Destination

Matthew 26:36-27:61

The journey seems to come to a tragic end. Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. But even in the darkness of Good Friday, we see that this was always part of the plan. Jesus willingly took this road—for us.

Reflection: Take time today to sit with the weight of the cross. What does Jesus’ sacrifice mean to you?

Easter Sunday (April 20) – A New Beginning

Matthew 28:1-15

What seemed like the end was only the beginning. The tomb is empty, Jesus is alive, and everything has changed! The resurrection is the ultimate victory, proving that redemption is real, and new life is possible.

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection shape your faith and your future?

Week 6 (April 27) – Loved + Sent

Matthew 28:16-20

The journey doesn’t stop at the empty tomb. Jesus gives His disciples—and us—a mission: to go, make disciples, and share His love with the world. We are both deeply loved and sent out with purpose.

Reflection: What steps can you take to live as someone who is both loved and sent?

About Trinity

ONE CHURCH - MANY LOCATIONS

Trinity is a multi-site church: one church with many locations, serving the greater Chicago area. At Trinity, everything we do revolves around Worship, Connect, and Serve. We believe these three paths are key to helping us all grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

All of our worship sites focus on the same Big Idea each week and provide similar creative elements. The difference between the sites and worship settings is the style.

The Church Center App

Looking for some resources to help you go further in your study of Ecciesiates?  There are some helpful videos and book recommendations in the Church Center App for this series.