The Sermon on the Mount challenge

New Christians often struggle to find a deep connection to Christ. That’s why I recommend them to integrate the Word of Christ into their daily lives as best as they can by reading the Bible and meditating on how to live a more holy life. Yet the Bible, with its incredible dimensions, can be intimidating. Where should you start?

The Sermon on the Mount is the longest oral record from Jesus himself. It summarizes how Jesus wants us to live our lives, especially the way we treat our other fellow humans. I therefore challenge you to read the Sermon on the Mount every single day for 30 days. It is a perfect exercise to prove your determination and keep your mind occupied with Christian ideas and a first step towards learning your first Bible verses by heart. The challenge doesn’t seem too difficult, but it takes discipline to read the same pages every day. When facing difficult situations, specific advice from the BIble wil spring into your mind. Trust me, your life is going to change for the better.

Now on how you should read the sermon. There are some possibilities. Right away I wouldn’t hear the sermon only on audiobook. You should only do that if you really, and don’t lie to yourself, have not the time to do it otherwise. When you hear the Bible while doing some other stuff, you will not grasp a full understanding of the Bible. Instead, grab a physical copy of the Bible, sit down and read. This should become a ritual. Again, I would recommend to start reading either in the morning before work or directly when you come home. Right before going to bed is a bad time. You are tired and fail to concentrate on what you are reading. To increase your focus, you can use an audiobook of the Bible, which you follow along while reading. If you feel modern, you can download a pdf or an app for your phone, where you can read It on your breaks at work.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your Bible and start reading. I expect to see you here in 30 days, grasping a bit more than at the beginning of the challenge, what Jesus really expects from us.