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: 2021 - 2022

Previous year: 2020-2021 | Next year: 2022-2023

DateService/ThemeReadingsSearch
Sun, Sep 12, 2021CreationGenesis 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 19, 2021AbrahamGenesis 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 26, 2021Jacob 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, Oct 03, 2021ExodusExodus 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 10, 2021Law 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 17, 2021Judges1 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 24, 2021David1 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 31, 2021Solomon 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 07, 2021Elijah 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 14, 2021Minor 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 21, 2021Isaiah 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 28, 2021Jeremiah 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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(Not this year)Into 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 05, 2021Return 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 12, 2021Return 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 19, 2021Preparing 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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Fri, Dec 24, 2021Christmas EveLuke 2:1-14 (15-20); Birth of Jesus
Psalm 96:7-10;

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Sat, Dec 25, 2021Christmas 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 26, 2021Christmas 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 02, 2022Christmas 2John 1:35-51; Behold the Lamb of God, Call of disciples, "Come and see"

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Sun, Jan 09, 2022Epiphany 1John 2:1-11; Wedding at Cana, water into wine

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Sun, Jan 16, 2022Epiphany 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 23, 2022Epiphany 3John 3:1-21; Jesus and Nicodemus, being born anew, and God's love for the world

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Sun, Jan 30, 2022Epiphany 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 06, 2022Epiphany 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 13, 2022Epiphany 6John 6:35-59; The Bread of Life that comes from heaven

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Sun, Feb 20, 2022Epiphany 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, Feb 27, 2022TransfigurationJohn 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 02, 2022Ash WednesdayJohn 10:1-18; Jesus the gate and good shepherd, who lays down his life

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Sun, Mar 06, 2022Lent 1John 11:1-44; Raising Lazarus, Jesus as the resurrection and life

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Sun, Mar 13, 2022Lent 2John 13:1-17; Footwashing as a sign of Jesus' love and example

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Sun, Mar 20, 2022Lent 3John 18:12-27; Trial before Annas, Peter's denial

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Sun, Mar 27, 2022Lent 4John 18:28-40; Jesus and Pilate, kingdom not from this world

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Sun, Apr 03, 2022Lent 5John 19:1-16a; Jesus is condemned, they have no king but Caesar

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Sun, Apr 10, 2022Palm SundayJohn 19:16b-22; Sign above the cross proclaims curcified king

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Thu, Apr 14, 2022Maundy ThursdayJohn 19:23-30; Woman, behold your son, I thirst, It is finished

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Fri, Apr 15, 2022Good 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 17, 2022EasterJohn 20:1-18; Resurrection, empty tomb, calls Mary by name EARLY CHURCH

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Sun, Apr 24, 2022Easter 2John 20:19-31; Giving of Spirit, appearance to Thomas

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Sun, May 01, 2022Easter 3Acts 9:1-19a; Paul and Ananias, each called into Christ's service (locally and globally)

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Sun, May 08, 2022Easter 4Acts 16:16-34; Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi, jailor and his family are baptized

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Sun, May 15, 2022Easter 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 22, 2022Easter 6Philippians 1:1- 18a; Paul in prison, thankful for the Philippians' partnership in the gospel

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Sun, May 29, 2022Easter 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 05, 2022PentecostActs 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: 2020-2021 | Next year: 2022-2023