Our church has undertaken the E100 challenge. E100 is a systematic Bible reading challenge consisting of 100 carefully chosen Bible stories. It guides you through the Bible so that you can get the big picture of the Story without getting bogged down or frustrated.
Visit the E100 website and join the challenge.
THE E100 CHALLENGE
The E100 is a systematic Bible reading challenge that you can take by yourself (though the experience is enhanced when you do it with others). The Challenge consists of a carefully selected list of short Bible passages – 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. It guides you through the Bible so that you can get the big picture of the Story without getting bogged down or frustrated. Our research shows that once an individual completes the E100, his or her appetite for consistent Bible reading results in sustainable habit formation.
To take the E100 Challenge simply purchase The Essential Bible Guide View Sample and the Reading Planner, sign up on the E100 Challenge Wall, grab your Bible, and you’re good to go! The Reading Planner helps you chart your course and The Essential Bible Guide is your companion for the journey. The Challenge is designed to be achievable. Readings are usually about 1-2 chapters in length and can easily be read in 10 minutes or less. If you need more time, you take all the time you want – there are no dates or deadlines.
WHAT IS E100?
The Bible is a closed book for most people in Canada. According to national research conducted in 2009 in 18 cities in 9 provinces in Canada, 58.8% of Canadians say they do not read the Bible. Of the 1259 people polled, 21.5% said they didn’t know why they don’t read the Bible, 20.9% said they’re too busy, and 19% said they’re not interested. Only 3.2% of Canadians who don’t read the Bible said they didn’t have a Bible. Among church goers, many have never read the Bible from cover to cover and only a small number read the Bible daily.
Most Christians believe the Bible plays an essential, indispensable, and crucial role in directing Christian faith, life and practice. Many people, regardless of whether or not they’re Christians, recognise that the Bible has significantly informed and shaped Western culture. So why aren’t people reading the Bible? This question is difficult to answer because the reasons are complex. There are cultural factors like the demise of Christendom, the impact of postmodernity, secularism, and religious pluralism. And there are other factors like declining church attendance, people not feeling the need, changing priorities, scepticism and doubt.
SU Canada’s response to the decline in Bible engagement is to issue a fresh invitation to read the Story in an exciting new way – called the Essential 100 Challenge. The E100 is based on carefully selected short Bible passages – 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament – that helps you grasp the essence of the Story. The E100 is the Bible reading challenge you’ll love to complete. To take the Challenge; find a Bible translation that’s easy to understand, order The Essential Bible Guide, schedule time to do the Challenge, and track your progress with the Reading Planner. SU Canada provides everything you need to get into a Bible reading habit you won’t be able to kick!
WHY E100?
Simple – the E100 Challenge is open to anyone. If you’ve got a Bible, The Essential Bible Guide and the Reading Planner, you’re good to go!
Flexible – you can be intense and do a reading a day over 100 days, do one section per week over twenty weeks which is ideal for small groups, divide the readings into four quarterly mini-challenges over the course of the year, or complete the Challenge whenever or however you can manage it.
Achievable – each reading is 1-2 chapters long and takes about 10 minutes to complete. There are no dates or deadlines to meet so you determine how much time to spend on the readings.
Suitable – the E100 Challenge is suitable for individuals, small groups, or churches. You can take the Challenge by yourself or enhance the experience by doing it with others.
