This year we will be reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 26–28.

Leading up to this, the Lord had been traveling with His disciples, going from town to town, preaching the good news that people should repent and believe, because the kingdom of heaven is near. Along the way He has gathered many followers, and His fame has grown throughout the land.

There were also many who argued against Him, especially among the religious leaders of the time. The Lord challenged their authority, speaking openly about hypocrisy and calling people to repentance and humility. Because of this, many of these leaders came to hate Him.

Recently He entered Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. Crowds welcomed Him into the city with excitement and celebration. Many believed that He had come to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel to political power.

But the Lord was never promising that kind of kingdom.

From the beginning He had been teaching about something higher. The kingdom He spoke about was not a kingdom built on armies or taxes. It does not depend on everything going exactly as we natural people might wish here on earth. Instead, the kingdom of heaven grows wherever people turn away from selfishness and begin to love the Lord and love their neighbor.

From a natural perspective, the Easter story can look like a tale of loss and failure. The Lord will be rejected by many of the same people who once praised Him. His disciples will struggle with confusion and fear. One of them will betray Him. Others will scatter. The religious authorities will arrest Him, judge Him, and condemn Him.

But the story invites us to see something more.

From the Lord’s perspective, He is not losing control of events. Rather, He is revealing something about His kingdom and about His love. His kingdom does not grow through force or coercion. It grows through truth, through love, and through freedom.

The purpose of that freedom is that we might freely become part of His kingdom, not as slaves, but as willing participants in a life of love. True freedom is the freedom to love others more than ourselves, and in doing so to love the Lord Himself.

Join us on this journey as we carefully read through the final chapters of Matthew’s Gospel. As we follow the story of the Lord’s final days on earth, we will see what it teaches us about His love, His perspective, and the kingdom of heaven He invites us to enter.

Easter Readings Groups are small spiritual discussion groups, based around the Easter Readings email program.

Come Closer to the Lord.

In the weeks before Easter, we can draw closer to God by discovering a deeper understanding of the Easter story. Jesus said, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” (John 12:32)

Understand His Story.

The Easter story is about how Jesus rose from death, and also about how we can be changed and uplifted to find more peace, happiness, and connection. To get the most out of the readings, you can share them with others in a small group.

Share the Journey.

Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Make a closer connection with the Lord by reading His story together and sharing insights with each other.

What You Can Expect from Easter Readings Groups

• Six weekly hour-long meetings leading up to Easter
• Opening prayer, reflection, and discussion
• Meet online from anywhere (usually by Zoom)
• Various times and days to fit your schedule

No prior experience is required and everyone is welcome.

Your group leader will contact you with specific login information for their group meetings.

Group Choices

Note the different time zones. Pick the day and time that might work for you. If you're interested in more than one, you may register more than once, for different groups, by filling out the form more than once. We will be in touch to discuss more details and connect you with the group facilitator.

• Sunday at 9:00 am PT (Los Angeles time) first meeting Mar 23, led by Shar Junge
• Monday 7:30 pm ET (New York time) first meeting Mar 31, led by Mac Frazier
• Tuesday 12:00 pm PT (Los Angeles time) first meeting Mar 25, led by Loisann Openshaw
• Wednesday at 8:00 pm ET (New York time) first meeting Mar 26, led by Nathan Gladish
• Thursday at 10:00 am ET (Eastern time) first meeting Mar 27, led by John Odhner
• Thursday at 6:30 pm CT (Chicago time) first meeting Mar 27, led by John Odhner and Mary Valentine

• In-person in Sarver, Pennsylvania: Sunday at 9:15 am ET (New York time) first meeting Mar 23, led by Trish Lindsay
• Online for Young Adults: Monday at 8:30 pm ET (New York time) first meeting Mar 24, led by Jake Olsen
• Online for Spanish speakers: Wednesday at 6:30 pm PT (Los Angeles time) first meeting Mar 26, led by Nat Pendleton

Footnote
Time changes for various countries:
In much of the US and Canada, DST begins Sunday, Mar 10
In the UK, DST starts Sunday, Mar 31

Fill Out the Form Below to Register, Choosing the Particular Group You Would Like to Participate In.

"These Easter Readings have become an essential part of my morning devotions. The closing questions stir food for thought and have made for wonderful discussions in each gathering.
I will continue to use these readings in the months to come and share the insights as opportunities arise."

"The Easter Readings have been brilliant.  I have looked forward to them each day... I warmly commend you for the always thought-provoking “Reflections”"

"Thank you for the Easter readings, I did look forward to receiving your daily messages. The explanations and references were helpful. I have kept a note of the daily readings so I can go back and read them again."

"Beautiful teachings. Well introduced. Thoughtful reflection. Thank you. I look forward to this series."

"I always enjoy the special readings for preparation to Easter and Christmas. Many thanks for providing this offering."

"Spectacularly useful readings."

"I have needed some new beginnings and been fortunate to have had them when most needed."