Hey, everyone! This is a challenge I pitched out to the attendees of Living Proof Live Eugene, Oregon because it corresponded with our concept but anyone is invited to participate! Here’s a bit of background:
At our Living Proof Live in Eugene, we studied the repetitions of the powerfully placed words “this Jesus” in the Book of Acts, particularly in the first and second chapters. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke was intent on the reader understanding that the one who is both Messiah and Lord is “this same Jesus” (1:11 CSB/NIV) who was arrested, beaten, crucified, raised from the dead, who ascended to the Father in Heaven and who will descend again to earth in like manner. The challenge is to know “this Jesus” not second hand but straight from the pages of Scripture. While He can be found in the full stretch of Scripture, what He was like when He took on human flesh and blood and walked among us can most clearly, concentratedly be seen in the canonical Gospels.
My objective was to keep it completely uncomplicated even in the title. We’re simply calling it The Luke Challenge.
All you need is a Bible, a pen and a simple spiral notebook.
Write on the front of it with a marker: In Search of This Jesus
Choose a 30-day period of time in which you commit to read the book of Luke, 1 chapter a day, for all 24 chapters. Your 6 extra days are there when you miss and need to catch up. Start at any point but don’t leave it open ended. Really try to conclude in 30 days so you don’t lose momentum. Leave a comment to this post on the day you’re beginning as a means of strengthening your commitment with a bit of accountability. I don’t know about you but that always works better for me.
2 ground rules:
1. PRAY: Each time before you read, ask Jesus for two specific things: A) to open your mind to understand the Scriptures and B) to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
2. WRITE: Take notes and make comments on each chapter with particular emphasis on who Jesus was/is and what He was like. Freestyle anyway you wish and get as detailed as you like but here’s the catch: do so in dialogue straight to Jesus. Your notes, in effect, become prayers. Communications. He speaks to you through His Word. You speak back through your pen. For example, “Lord, I’m seeing these characteristics in you in Luke 4” and “I wonder what was going through Your mind when Peter…” and “this about you is particularly confusing/fascinating/troubling/comforting/exhilarating to me,” etc. Get the idea? Record what seems to draw Jesus near to a situation and also note what seems to repel Him. Recount to Him what you see happening around Him in the scene. Record how people responded to Him, both positively and negatively. Describe Him to the degree Scripture describes Him. Record your responses to Him. Do it any way you wish but make this an exercise entirely between you and Jesus.
One of our major points at Living Proof Live was that there is a difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Jesus. This 30-day period focuses on knowing “this Jesus” who is both Messiah and Lord.
Anyone can do it with you and anyone is welcome to participate.
THEN, watch for a blog to follow this one in 30 days so that you can report having completed it and share your primary takeaways. THEN!!! If you liked it, DO THE SAME THING WITH THE BOOK OF ACTS! Luke wrote it, too, and it’s the perfect follow up.
We’re so happy to serve you here at Living Proof. We exist entirely for this purpose: to encourage people to come to know and love Jesus Christ. THIS Jesus of Scripture.
Enjoy Him!
P.S.  Our comments are all moderated so don’t panic if you don’t see yours show up right away. It’s there! You’ll see it on the next work day!
I was deeply blessed at the conference in Eugene. I am so thankful to have been able to attend and loved the time of worship with the team. I am starting the Luke Challenge today. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and pivotal message about This Jesus versus that Jesus. You truly hit the nail in the head.
I’m starting Aug 1!
Will be starting the Luke Challenge on August 1st 2019.
I will begin August 1st.
Started 7/29
Starting 8/1, I’m in. Let’s do this ladies. 🙂 God Be Glorified!
I started the Luke Challenge today, 7/29/19.
Starting the 30 day challenge TODAY! Thank you for the i n s p i r a t i o n! I feel like I know “that Jesus” pretty well (and he’s not a bad guy!!!!!!). Looking forward and feeling compelled to know “THIS Jesus” so much better. THANKS AGAIN for the inspiration (which started with the DANCE PARTY. BeSt EVeR)
Begin Aug 1, 2019.
The Eugene conference was amazing! Please come back our way soon!!! Your homework assignment was an answer to prayer. I AM IN!
I’m in! Have my notebook ready, wrote my notes, and now I am going to get to know This Jesus even better!
July 29.
Starting on August 1.
Starting today!
I will be starting The Luke Challenge on August 1st. A group of us ladies are planning on meeting for coffee 30 days later to discuss.
Eugene was awsome. I am starting Luke Aug. 1 Bless you all
I’ve started reading Luke. Thank you, thank you for allowing God to use you to challenge us! This is exactly what I needed!
Starting today! Looking forward to it. Thank you for your words this weekend about That Jesus and This Jesus, looking forward to learning more intimately about T
That would be….learning more intimately about THIS JESUS!!!!
Started my “In search of This Jesus” today with my mentor Dawn.
Loved how god revealed to me today that even though Zechariah doubted God, God still kept his promise. Also how we can see the contrast of doubt by Zechariah and no doubt by Mary. I never noticed that before today. When I doubt and question God’s promises, I am delaying his blessing upon my life.
Starting today!
Our women’s ministry will be starting this Aug. 1st!
I’m excited to start this August 1st!
I began the Luke Challenge yesterday! God has already opened my eyes to things I had missed before. He is so good and faithful!
Starting the Luke was challenge today! 7/29/19
Starting August 1st
Thanks for coming to Eugene. Please come back now. Ya hear?
Greatly blessed by you in Eugene!
Started the Luke Challenge today!
Thank you for such a beautiful weekend. The worship and teaching was nourishment for my weary soul. I am starting the Luke Challenge today!
Started the Luke challenge yesterday. It will be a challenge for me to write my words directly to Jesus, but I’m doing it! Thank you for coming back to Eugene. Your message breathed fresh life into my heart. The worship was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Thank you for the love you all poured out on us. We love you and your team, Beth!
I’ll be starting August 1st
Started today and it opened my heart and mind
Thank you
Starting August 1st
I started the Luke challenge today!!!! I’m hungry for what the Holy Spirit has for me as I dig into this book once again!!
Awesome lessons, Beth! You and the whole team blessed us all so much! Starting the Challenge August 1! Thank you!!
I am starting my Luke Challenge today and am so excited to spend these next 30 days drawing closer to Jesus through His word. Thank you for this challenge to get us more connected to THIS JESUS! ❤️
From the conference in Eugene I have learned that I have a big job in front of me to get to know Jesus intimately. I began July 29th and what a challenge it will be!
Starting the Luke Challenge on June 30, 2019. We had a wonderful time in Eugene! I will share this challenge with the members of my women’s group.
Starting the Luke challenge today. I am so looking forward to drawing closer to Jesus.
I’m taking the Luke challenge!!!
Starting Today!
Starting today, July 30th.
Aug 1
I’m in! Thanks so much for the challenge! I am looking forward to this experience with Jesus!
Good morning
The Lord led me to read the blog today-so I’m
Starting today-July 30th!
Starting this challenge today. Lord, reveal Yourself to all who seek Your face. We are hungry and thirsty for more of You!
Starting my quest to know this Jesus today. July 30, 2019. Looking forward to opening the door to know Him better!
I’m starting August 1st!
Starting August 1.
Thank you for this challenge.
It is wonderful to be apart of such women of Faith,
and to be in the word of God, praying as we allow
The Holy Spirit to work through each one of us, sharing our journey
through the book of Luke and Acts in a powerful way.
Ready, set, GO! Today’s the day 🙂
I am giddy about starting this challenge today! I just completed the first chapter.
Luke 1:46-55 – from the margin in my Bible I can see that Mary quoted twelve scriptures here! I can almost see her with her stack of 3 x 5 cards! Thank you, Beth, for inspiring me to memorize more scripture!