The Essential Jesus Challenge
Practical Ideas for Exploring the Bible's Greatest Story
for Churches, Groups and Individuals
Imagine the impact of having your entire church, Sunday School or home group network reading and discussing the Bible's greatest story... together.
Or imagine the impact of having an outreach Bible study in your neighborhood or of guiding a non-believing friend, loved one or colleague through what the Bible says about Jesus.
That's what The Essential Jesus Challenge is all about! This How To Guide will show you lot's of ways you can help everyone you know discover for themselves "the Bible's greatest story."
How Does The Challenge Work?
Based on the book, The Essential Jesus, the Challenge guides participants through the list of short Bible passages following the storyline of Jesus Christ—25 from the Old Testament and 75 from the New Testament—over a 20-week period. The program is undated and can be started at any time during the year. And it's designed to be flexible, too; it fits any time schedule and works with any Bible translation.From this website (www.EssentialJesusChallenge.com) you can receive free down-loadable resources including a How-to Guide, a poster, a bulletin insert, invitation card and everything you need to make The Essential Jesus Challenge an effective Bible engagement experience.
Who Should Take The Challenge?
The Essential Jesus Challenge is for anyone who wants to know more about Jesus. That includes Christians who have never really read all that the Bible says about Jesus, those not sure about Jesus but honestly seeking to know more about him and non-believers who want to make their own assessment of Jesus and his claims— all will find that The Essential Jesus Challenge helpful. In addition, the Challenge will help you, your friends, small group or church take an honest look at what Jesus said and did so you can determine for yourself who he really is.To take the Challenge, you'll need a Bible and the book, The Essential Jesus. It will guide you to read and reflect on 100 carefully-selected passages from the Bible. And you'll want to approach your journey not with the goal of becoming a theological expert but as someone with an open mind who wants to get a true understanding of the most influential person in history.
Don't Go It Alone
The best way to take the Challenge is with another person, as part of a small group study or a church-wide program. At the end of each 5-reading section in The Essential Jesus, you'll find a page of discussion questions. Each week, try to complete a set of five readings on your own. Then get together with your friend or group to talk about what you've learned.When you get together, start by encouraging each person to share their own insights from the readings. Then, use the discussion questions to help you continue your conversation. You'll find that reading through the Bible with others creates a positive motivation to keep going and makes your experience of God's Word more meaningful.
