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 am in! Starting TODAY!
I’m starting this today and am so excited. I’m praying that I can keep up. Thanks for the accountability ladies!
Day 1!!! Looking forward to this!
Excited to get to know Jesus better through the Luke Challenge starting today.
I’m starting today, July 30. Looking forward to finding ” this Jesus”!
Thank you for this challenge. My husband and I are doing this together. We started today.
We have taken the challenge and are starting today!
I’ve joined the Luke Challenge. I started right away on 7/27. It is quite amazing how scripture is coming to life in personal/interactive ways. Thank you Beth and team for coming to Eugene and proposing this challenge!
Hi. I am starting today July 30th. Praying and am excited to know God more.
Starting today. Looking forward to knowing Christ better and falling for Him like never before.
Started!
I am excited to see how the Holy Spirit works through this challenge! I’m starting this morning.
I’m in starting today!!!
Starting today 7/30/19
I am grateful for this challenge and pray it becomes a new habit for the rest of my life here on earth,
Started the challenge on July 29! Excited!
I will be starting on August 1 and have also extended the challenge to women in my Bible study.
Started Luke 1 yesterday (July 29). Blessed by reassurances provided to Theophilus, Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary and the truth that “we have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” (1:74-75)
I began yesterday July 29. Looking very closely at This Jesus and already seeing so much in just two chapters
THank you for this wonderful challenge. I started today!
I am ALL in with you ALL…and I’m SO excited anticipating how Jesus is going to impact every one of us through The Luke Challenge. I’m choosing The Passion Translation (TPT) Bible for this adventure and I’m already beyond inspired just by reading Brian Simmons’ TPT introductions to the Gospel of Luke! Just WOW! This is going to be amazing….Holy Spirit, bring it on!!
Started yesterday! So excited about this, and the timing could not be better!
I am in and I am starting today.
Starting today!
I’m in! Will start August 1st! Thank you!!!
Started the Luke challenge today.
Wow! What a fantastic way to approach the Scriptures. Never have I pondered and wondered at His word in such a way. Excited to know Him more…not just about Him.
I started the challenge today and it made me look more closely at verses I would have skimmed over because they are so familiar. Looking forward to knowing Jesus more by the end, and I am bringing the challenge to my daughter whom I will be flying to see tomorrow. Thank you for encouraging us!
I am so blessed to have been at Living Proof Live in Eugen last weekend!!! I’m still talking about it with everyone! 🙂
Starting The Luke Challenge today and I am so excited!!
Thank you so much!! <3 God bless you!!
I am starting this today!
I’m excited to start this challenge. My husband is going to join me and do it too!
I’m starting today!! In Psalm 103, scripture says that God revealed his character to Moses. I too want to know God’s character. I’m excited to search scripture and get to know “this Jesus.”
I will be starting on August 1st! Looking forward to this challenge!
I am it. Started July 29th
I’m starting August 1
Thanks for challenging us!
I started yesterday, July29, 2019. What a blessing the conference and this challenge is, ijust what I needed!
I started yesterday, July 29, 2019. What a blessing the conference was, it was just what needed!
I’m in and excited about doing the LUKE CHALLENGE! Starting today! July 30, 2019
My sister, and my 15year old niece are joining with me!
I am starting the Luke challenge today. I was so blessed to be able to share Friday night and Saturday morning with you and experience Jesus through your powerful teaching. You are a beautiful person and the love of Jesus just shines through you out to the world. The worship music was also completely amazing. Thank you for choosing to honor our area of the country with THIS Jesus’ message and love.
I’m in! Starting TODAY! Finishing 8/28.
I am so thankful I was able to see you in Eugene! This was my 5th LPL conference and I am always blessed. I am taking the Luke Challenge. I just got my notebook ready, and I will have day 1 today! I am looking forward to loving This Jesus more fully. I have to admit sometimes that Jesus is a comfortable friend. I know that Jesus is a poor substitute to this Jesus! Now it’s time for me to dig into Gods word and leave that Jesus, and my lazy excuses for a life that more fully glorifies my redeemer and savior, This Jesus!
I started yesterday per comment 263. My plan is to, pray, read the chapter, and type the prayer into a Word document. There’s just so much to say that typing goes faster.
I am going to start tomorrow! I am praying I will be diligent in completing this.
I started the Luke Challenge yesterday. It makes my heart glad!
I’m in!! Starting today July 30! I’m excited to see what God’s going to show me through this Luke challenge! Let’s get started ladies!!
Starting The Luke Challenge on August 1st. Seven years ago, through one of your Bible studies – I worked out my assurance of salvation and have been overwhelmingly in love with Jesus ever since. My stubborn and bold personality has been both a curse and a blessing. My biggest fear is to push others further away from Jesus due to my personality. I have much to learn in responding better in the face of ridicule and resistance to sharing the Gospel. Your comment about sharing the good news in a good mood was funny but very very thought provoking! Looking forward to The Luke Challenge. Then continuing through Acts to know more about how to imitate the actions of those who learned from our Lord first-hand. Praying for clarification and immediate removal of any false concept of Jesus I have.
Thank you! I’m starting today-July 30, 2019.
I’m excited to do this!
I began the Luke Challenge today. Have already seen some great truths from God.
Starting today with anticipation of knowing Jesus more intimately. God bless!
I am starting today!
I began the Luke challenge today. I am so looking forward to a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus. I pray for an awakening to all who participate. Let us grow in our faith and understanding of who Jesus is and grow a boldness to speak when the Holy Spirit directs us. When we truly know our Savior we can share who he is with others!