Embodiments of the invention include instruments and methods for preparing a femur to receive a femoral component of a knee arthroplasty system, with some embodiments configured to enable anterior referencing techniques, posterior referencing techniques, and to facilitate intraoperative switching between anterior and posterior referencing techniques. Other embodiments of the invention include cutting blocks and methods for preparing a femur to receive a knee arthroplasty system femoral component, with some embodiments including cutting blocks that can be used in both an anterior referencing technique and a posterior referencing technique, thereby reducing the number of cutting blocks required to provide an instrument set capable of implanting all available sizes of femoral components with both anterior and posterior referencing techniques.