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 text.

The 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.

• 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 story.

Summer 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).

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 nl@luthersem.edu.

The Narrative Lectionary

2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 ( J o h n )

Visit www.WorkingPreacher.org/narrativefaq for free resources related to the Narrative Lectionary.

Narrative Lectionary Readings for 2017-2018

Date Festival Texts Story

9/10 Pentecost 14 Genesis 1:1—2:4a (John 1:1-5) Creation by the Word

9/17 Pentecost 15 Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14 (John 1:29) Binding of Isaac

9/24 Pentecost 16 Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17 (John 1:50-51) Jacob’s Dream

10/1 Pentecost 17 Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-15; 4:10-17 (John 8:58) God’s Name Is Revealed

10/8 Pentecost 18 Exodus 16:1-18 (John 6:51) God Provides Manna

10/15 Pentecost 19 1 Samuel 3:1-21 (John 20:21-23) God Calls Samuel

10/22 Pentecost 20 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14 (John 7:24) God Calls David

10/29 Pentecost 21 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 (John 2:19-21) Solomon’s Temple

11/5 Pentecost 22 1 Kings 19:1-18 (John 12:27-28) God Speaks to Elijah

11/12 Pentecost 23 Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 (John 7:37-38) Amos: Justice Rolls Down

11/19 Pentecost 24 Isaiah 9:1-7 (John 8:12) Isaiah: A Child Is Born

11/26 Christ the King Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 (John 14:27) Jeremiah’s Letter to Exiles

12/3 Advent 1 Daniel 3:1, [2-7] 8-30 (John 18:36-37) Daniel: The Fiery Furnace

12/10 Advent 2 Ezekiel 37:1-14 (John 11:25-26) Ezekiel: Valley of Dry Bones

12/17 Advent 3 Isaiah 55:1-13 (John 4:13-14) Word Accomplishes God’s Purpose

12/24 Advent 4 John 1:1-18 (Psalm 130:5-8) Word Made Flesh

12/24 Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] (Psalm 96:7-10) Birth of Jesus

12/25 Christmas Day Luke 2:8-20 (Psalm 123:1-2 or 123:2) Shepherds Visit

12/31 Christmas 1 John 1:19-34 (Psalm 32:1-2) A Voice in the Wilderness

1/7 Baptism of Our Lord

John 1:35-51 (Psalm 66:1-5) Jesus Says Come and See

1/14 Epiphany 2 John 2:1-11 (Psalm 104:14-16) Wedding at Cana

1/21 Epiphany 3 John 2:13-25 (Psalm 127:1-2) Jesus Cleanses the Temple

1/28 Epiphany 4 John 3:1-21 (Psalm 139:13-18) Nicodemus

2/4 Epiphany 5 John 4:1-42 (Psalm 42:1-3) The Woman at the Well

2/11 Transfig. John 9:1-41 (Psalm 27:1-4) The Man Born Blind

2/14 Ash Wed. John 10:1-18 (Psalm 23) The Good Shepherd

2/18 Lent 1 John 11:1-44 (Psalm 104:27-30) Jesus Raises Lazarus

2/25 Lent 2 John 13:1-17 (Psalm 51:7-12) Jesus Washes Feet

3/4 Lent 3 John 18:12-27 (Psalm 17:1-7) Peter’s Denial

3/11 Lent 4 John 18:28-40 (Psalm 145:10-13) Jesus and Pilate

3/18 Lent 5 John 19:1-16a (Psalm 146) Jesus Condemned

3/25 Palm (opt.) John 12:12-27 Triumphal Entry

Passion John 19:16b-22 (Psalm 24) The Crucified Messiah

3/29 Maundy Thu. John 19:23-30 (Psalm 26:3) Jesus’ Last Words

3/30 Good Fri. John 19:31-42 (Psalm 31:9-18) Jesus the Passover Lamb

4/1 Easter 1 John 20:1-18 (Psalm 118:21-29) Resurrection

4/8 Easter 2 John 20:19-31 (Psalm 145:13-21) Thomas

4/15 Easter 3 Acts 9:1-19a (Matthew 6:24) Paul’s Conversion

4/22 Easter 4 Acts 16:16-34 (Luke 6:18-19, 22-23) Paul and Silas

4/29 Easter 5 Acts 17:16-31 (John 1:16-18) Paul’s Sermon at Athens

5/6 Easter 6 Philippians 1:1-18a (Luke 9:46-48) Partnership in the Gospel

5/13 Easter 7 Philippians 2:1-13 (Luke 6:43-45) The Christ Hymn

5/20 Pentecost Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7 (John 14:16-17) Pentecost; Rejoice in the Lord

The Narrative Lectionary is an open-source project hosted by Luther Seminary. The 2017-2018 brochure was created by Luther Seminary and paid for by these partners.

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Narrative LectionaryFaith Formation for the

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A quarterly resource with a Scottish fl avour for Worship Leaders, Sunday Schools, Junior Churches and Youth Leaders based on the Narrative Lectionary.

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A quarterly resource with a

LifeMosaic, a Narrative Lectionary Bible Study series for adults, uses

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ACT out the story. LISTEN to a song. WATCH a video. STUDY the Bible with others.TASTE the fruit of fellowship.

Fall 2017 Created to Serve God

Winter 2017-18 John: God with Us

Spring 2018 From Christ to the Spirit

Summer 2018 Following God

Download a free sample at mylifemosaic.org

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