On Your Own

You may well be thinking something like this, "I'm interested in learning more about Jesus, but I don't want anyone pressuring me. I just want to see what the Bible says at my own pace so I can come to my own conclusions." If that's how you feel, don't worry: many people feel that way. That's why the book, The Essential Jesus, was designed to make a "solo journey" through the Bible easy and meaningful.

The 100 short passages trace the complete story line of Jesus that's woven throughout the Bible. The readings are undated so you can complete them at your own pace—in one hundred days, six months, a year or more. The readings are grouped into sets of five that begin with an introduction that alerts you to important themes. You'll want to have a copy of The Essential Jesus to guide you through The Essential Jesus Challenge.

Whatever schedule you pick (and picking a schedule is important), don't feel guilty if you miss a day now and then. Just do the next reading whenever you have time, and before you know it, you'll make it through all one hundred.

Also, even though you'll be reading the passages on your own, you might want to talk about what you're learning with a friend, perhaps someone who is a committed follower of Jesus. If you do, just make sure it's someone who will listen to you, not preach at you. But if you find the right person, you'll find that talking about what you're learning can make your journey through the Bible more meaningful.

But however you choose to take The Challenge, remember that your goal is not just to read through 100 Bible passages or gain more Bible knowledge. Those things are important, but your higher goal is get to know more about Jesus. With that goal in mind, your reading will be more than just a "challenge," it will become an exciting adventure of getting to know the most influential person in history: Jesus Christ.

SOME TIPS TO HELP GET YOU STARTED:

Find a Bible Translation That's Easy to Read

There are many excellent, modern translations to choose from, such as the New International Version (NIV), the New Living Translation (NLT) and the Contemporary English Version (CEV). The Essential Jesus tells you the passages to read and helps you reflect on the main points, but it won't make sense unless you read the Bible passages themselves.

Gather Your Resources

Get a notebook or journal to jot down any particularly meaningful insights about Jesus as you go along and be sure to get your copy of The Essential Jesus. It can be ordered at www.EssentialJesusChallenge.com or by calling 1-800-621-LAMP (5267).

Set a Goal for Completing The Challenge

Will you do it in 100 days, 20 weeks, six months? Before you begin, it's helpful to have a clear goal in mind for when you want to complete The Challenge. That way, you can better mark your progress and keep "on track." And begin to think now about what you might do when The Challenge is over. There are other good Bible reading tools and other resources available at www.ScriptureUnion.org.

Choose a Time and Place for Reading

Maybe you'll choose to do your reading in the morning before work over your cup of coffee, at your desk at lunch or in the evening before bed. Find a quiet place with minimal distractions so you can concentrate on discovering more about Jesus.

Have a Regular Method

As you begin, follow the five steps for each reading in The Essential Jesus. Pray first, then read the day's passage from your Bible, reflect on what you've read using the comments in the book as your starting place, let the "Apply" section help you make practical what you've learned and then pray to close your time. Use the discussion questions at the end of each section for broader insights, too.

Keep a Journal of Your Insights and Discoveries

Have a notebook near your Bible to record thoughts and insights from the passages that are particularly meaningful to you. It may be encouraging to go back and read your previous notes now and then to see how your understanding of Jesus has grown.