The 45strong ChallengeSample

Going All-In

Welcome to the first day of the 45Strong Challenge. During this challenge, you will commit to six practices, read through the entire New Testament, deepen your faith and strengthen your character in significant ways. It won’t be easy, but if you commit to it, it will absolutely be worth it.

Every day, you will:

• Read six chapters of the New Testament.
• Read ten pages of a personal development book.
• Text an accountability partner to confess sins, share struggles, and encourage them to keep going.
• Cut out screen-time for the first and last hour of your day.
• Serve someone else.
• Journal your answers to these questions:
  • What did God teach you through His Word today?
  • What was your biggest takeaway from the book you're reading?
  • Did you text your accountability partner?
  • How did you fill your screen-time free hours?
  • Who did you serve today? How?
  • Where do you want God’s help in your life? How are you inviting Him into that space?

This will push you beyond your current capacity and stretch you in ways that will be uncomfortable. So, before you embark on this journey, make sure you’re willing to commit to it, that you’ve got an accountability partner who will commit to it with you, and that you are prepared to pivot when things get difficult and don’t go as planned.

Now, to answer a couple questions you may have:

Q: “If I don’t get everything done in a day, do I have to start over from the beginning?”

A: There are two versions of this challenge, and you have to decide which one you are going to do. For the regular version, you don’t go back to the very beginning if you miss a day/requirement, but you do repeat that day until you get everything done. For the advanced version, failing to get everything done in a day resets the challenge and you have to start back at day one.

Q:“Can I make changes to the challenge?”

A: Of course! But as soon as you do, you are no longer doing the 45Strong challenge. You’re doing something else. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. If your customized challenge helps you grow closer to Jesus and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, that’s a huge win!

Q: “Is there a certain book I’m supposed to read?”

A: Nope. You can choose whatever book you would like for the 10 pages of daily reading as long as it is a personal development book of some sort. If you aren’t sure what to read, here are a few suggestions…

• Theology - 3 2 1: The Story of God, the World and You by Glen Scrivener
• Apologetics - 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
• Discipleship - Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
• Physical Health - The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
• Mental Health - Beyond the Spiral by Will Hutcherson
• Leadership - Lead Like It Matters by Craig Groeschel

Q: What does it mean to “serve someone else”?

A: Serving is simply doing good to another person. So, for the sake of the challenge, any good act done for another person counts as serving. Here’s a list of things to help you get an idea of where to start:

• Do the dishes without being asked.
• Volunteer in the kids ministry of your church.
• Pick up litter in your neighborhood.
• Serve meals at a local soup kitchen.
• Write an encouraging letter to a friend, family member, teacher, coach, etc.
• Buy someone a present on a day that isn’t their birthday.
• Tutor or mentor someone younger than you.
• Hold the door open for a stranger.
• Pay for the meal/coffee of the person behind you.
• Mow a neighbor’s yard completely for free.

If you’re ready to begin the 45Strong Challenge, then keep reading, pray for endurance, and keep this encouragement at the front of your mind:

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 NLT