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 donāt leave it open ended. Really try to conclude in 30 days so you donāt 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 hereās 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. Ā Our comments are all moderated so donāt panic if you donāt see yours show up right away. Itās there! Youāll see it on the next work day!
August 16
Starting the Luke Challenge tomorrow, July 31st. Iām thrilled to begin deepening my relationship with THIS JESUS!
I really enjoyed the Eugene sessions. I am on Day 2 of the Challenge – asking the Lord “This Jesus” – to reveal Himself to me.
Beginning today. Expectant for the dialogue that is coming between Jesus and me. Thank you for the inclusion.
I’m startiing today. I’m hoping it brings me closer to my Jesus. I have felt so distant lately. Thanks, Beth, for the opportunity.
I am starting today, (07.31.19)…so excited!
Starting today 7/30!
I’m starting today! Thank you for including us in the challenge!
I am excited to start today, as my 17 year old daughter is choosing to join me PTL.
I pray that all the children of God doing this challenge will be filled with hope, peace
and love as they walk through this study. I pray Lord You will move mountains where
needed and provide a safe place in each of Your childās day to follow through and grow
in their relationship with You āthis Jesusā, I pray that each of us would open our fists and
release control, giving You all the control, complete surrender. Lord I pray we only hear
You as we grow in You Lord. I pray all this things in great Name Jesus Christ, Amen
Beth, thank you for your obedience in allowing the Holy Spirit to lead the conference.
I appreciate your vulnerability and deep desire to move these women and men in the
way we should be going. The time for This Jesus is near and I believe the message
was exactly what the Lord needed and wanted us all of us to hear.
God bless, much love
Your sister in āThis Jesusā
Starting Luke today!! Praying God moves mightily in my heart & in our home. I have two teens that are almost done with school. The choices they make over the next few months & years will potentially determine the course of their lives. I need Godās leading & wisdom & discernment. My family needs it too.
Started the challenge yesterday! Also just ordered a CBS bible translation and am excited to use it!
7/31/19 starting The Luke Challenge today. āļø
Started the Luke challenge! I’ll be studying more of the bible this way going forward.
Iām in … starting August 1st!!!
Starting my search for THIS Jesus in the Scriptures today. I am so excited! Thank you so much for the LPL time in Eugene. It was life-changing.
Thanks for the prod in the right direction Looking forward to hearing from the Lord!
Starting today!! Looking forward to this new way of reading the bible and really thinking about what God is saying to me and what He is telling me about Him. Thank you for the challenge!
I started the Luke Challenge. I pray that God will give me the discipline to keep it up every day for 30 days. Thank you for this opportunity to come closer to Jesus.
Iām in, starting today July 31.
I started this challenge today! Thank you!!!
Starting on Aug 1st
Starting today š
Starting the challenge today!I’m hoping that this will help me to rediscover who God and Jesus are and to deepen my faith and relationship in Christ.
My husband is the pastor of a small church plant in the greater Seattle area, and I lead the womenās ministry. I was in attendance at LPL in Seattle last February, as well as this yearās LPL in Eugene (along with 7 other women from our church who are DEAR to my heart, including my mom and sister). The message and challenge delivered by Beth has continued to beautifully – deafeningly – resonate within my heart. We came home and challenged our youth and our men to join in this beautiful search for THIS Jesus … we all begin tomorrow, August 1. I KNOW God is going to do MIGHTY things … Heās already begun. Thank you Beth.
Iām in! Starting today!
I’m in! Starting tomorrow (Aug 1st).
I’m starting today July 31.
I’m starting on August 1st! Let’s see if I last through it……
Joining in. It will be fun to do with a group after years of solo reading and journaling.
I am starting today!! YES – thank you for this challenge.
I am so excited about this and can’t wait to see what Jesus has for all of us! Ond thing I am pretty sure of is intamacy, relationship and His YES to our hearts cry to know THIS JESUS! I love You Lord!
I’m starting tomorrow (August 1) for the month of August. š
Iām so thankful for this Luke challenge. It is such a blessing that my
Mom and I got to attend the conference. We are excited to each be doing the Luke challenge and sharing our insights, from Oregon to California. Thank you for your wisdom and teaching, Beth. Canāt wait to dive into Luke!
I’m starting today. I’m excited for a date with Jesus to talk about Him everyday.
Iām starting the challenge tomorrow, 8/1!
I started the Luke Challenge this morning. Already so blessed!
I’m in! Starting (Aug 1st)
Stepping into this challenge today, August 31, with great anticipation for all of us! We are assured that as we ask in agreement, in Jesus name, our prayers for our hearts, minds and relationships with Him to be opened and blessed WILL BE ANSWERED! I can’t wait to read the testimonies!!!
Iām starting the Luke challenge today!
Iām in! Starting tomorrow, August 1. Thanks for this prompting and opportunity!
Starting the 30 challenge tomorrow…8-1-19.
Starting tomorrow, looking forward to spending intentional time with Jesus.
Im excited to begin this in Luke! Great and amazing conference with Beth too!! Thank you. Loved the dancing too
Starting Aug. 1st.
I will begin Luke Aug. 1, 2019.
I was at LPL Eugene. I’ve felt like I’ve never had the reality of This Jesus to walk and talk with. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time.
Thank you Beth for this challenge.
All of us who came and others we’ve invited will be doing this. ā¤
Iām starting the Luke Challenge today (now that Iām back home in Sacramento after a weekend plus in Oregon). Canāt wait!! God bless you Beth & the whole LPM team!
Taking the Luke Challenge starting August 1st!! In search of this Jesus.I pray that we all are blessed by Jesus everyday!! :0)
I attended the Living Proof Live Event in Eugene Oregon and I have picked up the Luke Challenge! I will begin the challenge August 1st. Lord light a fire and reveal yourself for your glory!
I’m starting The Luke Challenge tomorrow August 1st! Thank you!
Starting tomorrow August 1st.