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The Jesus Experiment
If you loved The Purpose-Driven Life and One Month to Live, then you’ll love The Jesus Experiment. Popular author and speaker Bill Perkins challenges you to spend twelve weeks discovering what it really means to live like Jesus. More than a book, it’s an invitation for you to try becoming like him in your feelings, thoughts, words, and deeds. Each week, you’ll focus on a different aspect of Jesus’ life, including how he faced his fears, how he talked with God, and how he helped others. As you examine your own life in light of the Lord’s, you’ll be amazed at how your mind and heart will change to more closely reflect his.
266 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2011
38 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Bill Perkins
30 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
As a writer I try to look under the rock to see what's hidden. Once I see something I have fun writing about it. I especially enjoy discovering how each puzzle peace fits into the picture. I'm a tenacious editor. I suspect I've edited almost every page of every book I've written thirty times . . . or more. I only wish I had more time to make each line better. I love wrapping sentences with God's grace.
As a writer I try to look under the rock to see what's hidden. Once I see something I have fun writing about it. I especially enjoy discovering how each puzzle peace fits into the picture. I'm a tenacious editor. I suspect I've edited almost every page of every book I've written thirty times . . . or more. I only wish I had more time to make each line better. I love wrapping sentences with God's grace.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 25, 2011
When I first read the premise of this book it interested me. It didn't exactly seem unique in it's approach, but I felt maybe I could apply the weekly thoughts to my life.
Bill Perkins offers an aspect he observed about Jesus to be followed each week for 12 weeks. Perkins incorporates personal aspects from his own life that he needed to improve on, and Biblical examples of what he believed Jesus would do in those scenarios. Each chapter ends with a few reflection questions to help the reader grow each week.
I think the idea for this book was great, and overall I did enjoy it. It's more of a reflection book than presenting anything new. I would like to go back and read this book again so I can actually follow the 12 week plan. Instead I had to read through to review. Perkins has led a very interesting life, and the personal stories he shares will keep you intrigued.
One thing about these books that sort of pesters me is that I always feel they could be so much deeper than they turn out. Everything the guy tells the audience about Jesus seems obvious to a thinker. I'm waiting for a book still that actually observes how Jesus reacted in more situations than the popular ones I hear about often.
If you're looking to improve upon your life a little then this book provides some good steps. It is a great way to begin reflecting how you interact in daily life, and learn how to be more in sync when following Jesus' life.
This complimentary copy was provided by Tyndale in exchange for a review.
Bill Perkins offers an aspect he observed about Jesus to be followed each week for 12 weeks. Perkins incorporates personal aspects from his own life that he needed to improve on, and Biblical examples of what he believed Jesus would do in those scenarios. Each chapter ends with a few reflection questions to help the reader grow each week.
I think the idea for this book was great, and overall I did enjoy it. It's more of a reflection book than presenting anything new. I would like to go back and read this book again so I can actually follow the 12 week plan. Instead I had to read through to review. Perkins has led a very interesting life, and the personal stories he shares will keep you intrigued.
One thing about these books that sort of pesters me is that I always feel they could be so much deeper than they turn out. Everything the guy tells the audience about Jesus seems obvious to a thinker. I'm waiting for a book still that actually observes how Jesus reacted in more situations than the popular ones I hear about often.
If you're looking to improve upon your life a little then this book provides some good steps. It is a great way to begin reflecting how you interact in daily life, and learn how to be more in sync when following Jesus' life.
This complimentary copy was provided by Tyndale in exchange for a review.
November 11, 2011
-Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review-
Any Christian will tell you, like the author, that "the goal of Christian spirituality is for believers to become more like Christ" (page ix), and this book, we are told, is meant "to provide you with a real-time connection with Christ so you can test his promise to give you an abundant life" (page xi); that "the point of the Jesus Experiment is to learn how to 'become partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4, ESV) and become more like Jesus." (page 22)
These things - trying to be more like Jesus, to follow in his path and learn to embody the characteristics attributed to him, his nature - are things I have already committed my life to, so it was with great excitement and sincerity that I took up this book to read.
The book provides the reader with 12 weeks of exercise, "centered on one major truth about Jesus each week, based on the following four commitments" which are as follows :
"1. Ask what Jesus felt, thought, said, and did in a variety of situations.
2. Observe your own responses in similar real-life situations by noting what you *feel, think, say,* and *do* when you are self-reliant
3. Evaluate what you would *feel, think, say,* and *do* in the same circumstances if you were abiding in Jesus and following his example
4. Apply a specific plan to *prepare* yourself to *actively* follow in Jesus' footsteps the next time you encounter similar circumstances."
(taken from page 11)
Every chapter ends with questions and practices to reflect on for the week, with a follow up intended for once the week is over. Seems like a pretty effective set up, and I would almost agree, were I in complete agreement with the author on what it meant to become more like Christ....
You see, I hoped the book would focus more on cultivating love, compassion, graciousness, humility, and the other things we consider to be "fruits of the Spirit" and evident of one's connection to Christ. And while it did mention such things in one section or another, they were not the complete focus of the book. Other things, like praying like Jesus, and ideas like fear and resisting evil, and discovering our missions, were discussed in more length than really getting down to the nature of Jesus, the virtues we consider ourselves called to when accepting the title Christian.
I guess I'm just different from the author in that respect. Some may agree with him that those other issues may need addressing, but I guess our theology must just greatly differ - I'm not one to believe in evil or Satan. I don't believe in the literalism of the miracles in the Bible, that God personally directs our lives, or that Jesus is "the only way", as he seems to imply. I don't think Jesus was trying to tell us that we have to die to our nature to follow him, but instead that he reflects God's nature and character, and reveals to us the potential we already have in ourselves, innately, being made in God's image, to also be fountains/beacons of the same nature, as it is already a part of us, if we would choose it...
And I don't believe that following Jesus is about securing our spot in heaven or having him give us an "abundant" life, but instead that it is about cultivating those virtues, applying his message to this life in the cultivation of what many call "the Kingdom of God", which isn't something I consider to be specifically Christian - but I don't want to get too off track, so forgive me. My point is that when I think of what it means to follow Jesus, to be like Jesus, I guess I feel like one ought to focus on cultivating the spirit of Jesus, those fruits that make one what we consider Christ-like. This book did that, to an extent, but I would have much rather there had been more focus on the idea.
As he says himself, "When those nine qualities [fruits] become evident in our lives, we know we're becoming more like Jesus" (page 27). I just wish he had spent more time talking about them, and maybe he felt he was, in a less obvious way, I'm not sure...
Still, though, I did love the sections on serving with love, honor, and respect. And I enjoyed the section on children, as well as the section on loving “difficult people”. The book was an enjoyable read, I'll give it that, and I do believe that it is an asset to any Christian.
On page eleven he gives us a list of five goals people are usually acting out of, so that we will remember to relate to them with compassion, instead of with anger or annoyance. He stresses the idea that understanding someone will help one to have compassion for them, and I did feel as though the parts of the book touching on compassion were so valuable...
I'd like to finish here, though, with one last quote, one that I feel summarizes the way in which Jesus related to those around him, those who came his way, a way I believe we are to remember to try to emulate ourselves. This one sentence, I believe, can set the foundation for a lifetime of cultivating being like Christ....
“How did Jesus lead? He didn’t seek honor – he extended it. He didn’t crave respect – he gave it.” (Page 181)
How should we live? We shouldn't seek honor - we should extend it. We shouldn't crave respect - we should give it. From that idea, I do believe the rest of the fruits of the spirit (love, compassion, and so on) will follow - through honoring and respecting our fellow man, each and every person who comes our way.
That's the kind of experiment I'd like to try. :)
Rating : Four Stars
Any Christian will tell you, like the author, that "the goal of Christian spirituality is for believers to become more like Christ" (page ix), and this book, we are told, is meant "to provide you with a real-time connection with Christ so you can test his promise to give you an abundant life" (page xi); that "the point of the Jesus Experiment is to learn how to 'become partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4, ESV) and become more like Jesus." (page 22)
These things - trying to be more like Jesus, to follow in his path and learn to embody the characteristics attributed to him, his nature - are things I have already committed my life to, so it was with great excitement and sincerity that I took up this book to read.
The book provides the reader with 12 weeks of exercise, "centered on one major truth about Jesus each week, based on the following four commitments" which are as follows :
"1. Ask what Jesus felt, thought, said, and did in a variety of situations.
2. Observe your own responses in similar real-life situations by noting what you *feel, think, say,* and *do* when you are self-reliant
3. Evaluate what you would *feel, think, say,* and *do* in the same circumstances if you were abiding in Jesus and following his example
4. Apply a specific plan to *prepare* yourself to *actively* follow in Jesus' footsteps the next time you encounter similar circumstances."
(taken from page 11)
Every chapter ends with questions and practices to reflect on for the week, with a follow up intended for once the week is over. Seems like a pretty effective set up, and I would almost agree, were I in complete agreement with the author on what it meant to become more like Christ....
You see, I hoped the book would focus more on cultivating love, compassion, graciousness, humility, and the other things we consider to be "fruits of the Spirit" and evident of one's connection to Christ. And while it did mention such things in one section or another, they were not the complete focus of the book. Other things, like praying like Jesus, and ideas like fear and resisting evil, and discovering our missions, were discussed in more length than really getting down to the nature of Jesus, the virtues we consider ourselves called to when accepting the title Christian.
I guess I'm just different from the author in that respect. Some may agree with him that those other issues may need addressing, but I guess our theology must just greatly differ - I'm not one to believe in evil or Satan. I don't believe in the literalism of the miracles in the Bible, that God personally directs our lives, or that Jesus is "the only way", as he seems to imply. I don't think Jesus was trying to tell us that we have to die to our nature to follow him, but instead that he reflects God's nature and character, and reveals to us the potential we already have in ourselves, innately, being made in God's image, to also be fountains/beacons of the same nature, as it is already a part of us, if we would choose it...
And I don't believe that following Jesus is about securing our spot in heaven or having him give us an "abundant" life, but instead that it is about cultivating those virtues, applying his message to this life in the cultivation of what many call "the Kingdom of God", which isn't something I consider to be specifically Christian - but I don't want to get too off track, so forgive me. My point is that when I think of what it means to follow Jesus, to be like Jesus, I guess I feel like one ought to focus on cultivating the spirit of Jesus, those fruits that make one what we consider Christ-like. This book did that, to an extent, but I would have much rather there had been more focus on the idea.
As he says himself, "When those nine qualities [fruits] become evident in our lives, we know we're becoming more like Jesus" (page 27). I just wish he had spent more time talking about them, and maybe he felt he was, in a less obvious way, I'm not sure...
Still, though, I did love the sections on serving with love, honor, and respect. And I enjoyed the section on children, as well as the section on loving “difficult people”. The book was an enjoyable read, I'll give it that, and I do believe that it is an asset to any Christian.
On page eleven he gives us a list of five goals people are usually acting out of, so that we will remember to relate to them with compassion, instead of with anger or annoyance. He stresses the idea that understanding someone will help one to have compassion for them, and I did feel as though the parts of the book touching on compassion were so valuable...
I'd like to finish here, though, with one last quote, one that I feel summarizes the way in which Jesus related to those around him, those who came his way, a way I believe we are to remember to try to emulate ourselves. This one sentence, I believe, can set the foundation for a lifetime of cultivating being like Christ....
“How did Jesus lead? He didn’t seek honor – he extended it. He didn’t crave respect – he gave it.” (Page 181)
How should we live? We shouldn't seek honor - we should extend it. We shouldn't crave respect - we should give it. From that idea, I do believe the rest of the fruits of the spirit (love, compassion, and so on) will follow - through honoring and respecting our fellow man, each and every person who comes our way.
That's the kind of experiment I'd like to try. :)
Rating : Four Stars
dnf
February 24, 2023DNF at 41% due to increasing discomfort with some of the author’s theology and bad pastoral care
October 30, 2011
The book begins with the author explaining why he decided to write this book. The author wanted to see what would happen if he focused on learning to speak, act, think and pray more like Jesus. What if he concentrated all of his effort into becoming more like Him?
The book is divided up into 12 chapters. So if one chapter is read each week it will be a "12-week journey". Each chapter takes a different aspect of Jesus' life and discusses it to find out how we can better mirror Him. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and a chart for the reader to use in gauging how he/she responds to certain situations and if it was the Christ-like way or needs improvement.
I'm working my way through the book, but so far have been very impressed with the insights and thought-provoking questions in each chapter. This is a book that is okay to read alone, but would also work really well in a study group. There is no way you can go wrong in trying to be more like Jesus.
I received this book free of charge from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
The book is divided up into 12 chapters. So if one chapter is read each week it will be a "12-week journey". Each chapter takes a different aspect of Jesus' life and discusses it to find out how we can better mirror Him. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and a chart for the reader to use in gauging how he/she responds to certain situations and if it was the Christ-like way or needs improvement.
I'm working my way through the book, but so far have been very impressed with the insights and thought-provoking questions in each chapter. This is a book that is okay to read alone, but would also work really well in a study group. There is no way you can go wrong in trying to be more like Jesus.
I received this book free of charge from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
July 6, 2012
What would it take to become more like Jesus?
Following a 12 week course this book gives guidelines to the some of the following topics: how to follow Jesus in prayer, procrastination, Jesus loved difficult people, dealing with temptation and how to break the cycle, what Jesus said, how he must have felt and the temptations he faced and so many more! The book also contains the stories and experiences of others. I especially loved "A Christmas Story".
Before I started reading The Jesus Experiment I admit I did not know what the book would entail, but upon reading was pleasantly surprised as to how the book could change a person's thinking. Especially helpful for me was what Jesus did, thought and felt and the opinions of the author and realized how my shortcomings can affect my life and those around me. Many inspiring stories are written (the author's included) that can be inspirations to us all. Well written, well done, highly recommend and a must for every Christian library! I was inspired and challenged in my faith.
Following a 12 week course this book gives guidelines to the some of the following topics: how to follow Jesus in prayer, procrastination, Jesus loved difficult people, dealing with temptation and how to break the cycle, what Jesus said, how he must have felt and the temptations he faced and so many more! The book also contains the stories and experiences of others. I especially loved "A Christmas Story".
Before I started reading The Jesus Experiment I admit I did not know what the book would entail, but upon reading was pleasantly surprised as to how the book could change a person's thinking. Especially helpful for me was what Jesus did, thought and felt and the opinions of the author and realized how my shortcomings can affect my life and those around me. Many inspiring stories are written (the author's included) that can be inspirations to us all. Well written, well done, highly recommend and a must for every Christian library! I was inspired and challenged in my faith.
September 17, 2012
I was very much looking forward to reading this book, because it sounded so wonderful! Don't get me wrong, it was a great book. But it wasn't quite what I expected. It focuses on one aspect of Jesus' personality each week, and then breaks it down on how He displayed it and how we can display it in our own lives. I really like the concept, as that is what the Bible calls us to do. However, I felt like they were very vague aspects of His personality; ones that we should be displaying anyway. This is still a great book, and I do recommend it for those who are looking to shake up their faith a little!
February 4, 2017
Less preachy/legalistic than I was expecting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews