Who Should Take the Essential Jesus 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 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 Essential Jesus Planner. For small groups The Essential Jesus Challenge Guide is a very helpful tool and for individuals who want to go deeper faster, the book, The Essential Jesus is highly recommended. 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, Jesus Christ. 

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. The Essential Jesus Challenge Guide will help both individuals and small groups think about and discuss the readings. Each week, try to complete a set of five readings on your own. Then get together with a 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.

The Essential Jesus Challenge is NOT A TYPICAL CAMPAIGN. Why? Because The Essential Jesus is a professional, high value campaign but... it’s not expensive, not complicated, and easy to run.

Additionally, the companion materials are designed so that your church can implement the challenge without disrupting your present activities. This affordable Bible reading program comes complete with professionally designed materials crafted to help you launch and track the Challenge. In addition, this website has many free resources to help you organize and promote the Challenge, including sermon outlines for each of 100 Essential Jesus Bible readings.

The Essential Jeus Challenge is a simple and proven pathway to long term Bible reading habit formation. Please join us and other area churches as we strategically equip congregations with the transforming Word of God.

HELPFUL HINTS TO PLAN YOUR ESSENTIAL JESUS CHALLENGE

  1. DEVELOP A GAME PLAN

    You can run the program for 100 days, 20 weeks, 6 months, a year, or more. It works with any Bible translation. Many churches will start in January when most people need help with their New Year's Bible reading resolution. Others with offer the program in the Spring as a Lenten discipline leading up to Easter or in the fall as a program leading up to Advent and Christmas.

  2. ORDER THE ESSENTIAL JESUS BIBLE READING RESOURCES

    The Essential Jesus Daily Planner and The Essential Jesus Challenge Guide for Individuals and Groups are available here.

  3. PROMOTE THE CHALLENGE

    Use the free materials on the Pastor's Resource page to prepare your church for the Challenge.

  4. LAUNCH THE ESSENTIAL JESUS!

    Plan a “Essential Jesus Challenge Sunday” where the theme of the worship service and sermon is the uniqueness and significance of Jesus. Consider using the helpful Essential Jesus Sermon outlines to preach on the Bible passages your members are reading in the Challenge.

  5. CELEBRATE FINISHING THE CHALLENGE

    At the end, recognize all who completed The Essential Jesus Challenge.

  6. ADD YOUR NAMES TO THE ESSENTIAL JESUS CHALLENGE

    Affirm your commitment to The Essential Jesus Challenge by “Like-ing” our Facebook group here.

  7. FOLLOW-ON BIBLE RESOURCES

    Encourage all participants to go online here to receive more FREE resources to form a daily Bible reading habit.