Forty Day Challenge

I recently borrowed and skimmed a book titled, A Call to Die, by David Nasser.  I am definitely purchasing the book for myself.  I decided after skimming the book that I wanted to give my 8th grade Bible students a challenge assignment.  I am presenting it to you for your consideration.

Challenge Assignment

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Reward:  Closer relationship with God and a better understanding of what it means to “take up your cross and follow Jesus.”

Time:  September 1 – October 10 (40 days)

Participation:  Optional

Reference:  This assignment idea has been taken from the book, A Call to Die by David Nasser.  The book is worth buying especially if you like to have focus questions and a specific place to journal where you can keep your mind on topic.

Additional Challenge:  Get your family involved.  This is a great way to draw closer to each other.

Assignment:  For 40 days choose something to “give up” or fast from.  It needs to be something that will be challenging for you.  Example:  video games, computer usage, television, certain foods, certain drinks, etc.  Use the time you would normally spend on these things to study and focus on God’s word or creation.  You might study the Bible, spend time alone in nature, or go for a walk and talk to God.  At the end of the day, journal your experience using the following prompts:

• Lord, today you are calling me to die to selfish desires by:
• You are calling me to obey in these areas:
• You are calling me to intimacy with you by:

Scriptures to focus your mind (40 days; 40 scriptures):  Matthew 16:24, John 6:60, 66, Isaiah 6:5, I Samuel 2:30, Matthew 8:19-22, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 4:12-13, Matthew 13:22-23, Matthew 13:44-46, Philippians 3:7-8, I Corinthians 6:19-20, Colossians 3:5, 9-10, II Corinthians 5:14-15, Matthew 5:6, I Corinthians 15:30-31, James 1:2-4, Matthew 26:39, 42, John 3:16, II Corinthians 11:3, Hebrews 5:11-12, Romans 12:1, James 1:22, 25, John 8:3-5, Matthew 22:35-40, Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 5:28-29, Matthew 5:36-37, Matthew 5:38-39, I John 4:11, Matthew 6:3-4, Matthew 6:7-8, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 10:34, Matthew 15:4-6, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 18:5-6, John 2:7-9, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 16:24-27

John 6:60, 66 – “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching.  Who can accept it?’ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

May God bless each of you as you search for a closer relationship with Him.

Blessings,

Penny