Jesus with Dirty Feet Discussion Guide: 10 Sessions for the Curious and Skeptical

by Douglas D. Scott

Have you suffered through a bad experience with church? Have you encountered one—or several—insensitive Christians? Please, says Don Everts, don't let that stop you from finding out more about the most compelling, audacious, wild-eyed, radical, revolutionary person that ever lived—Jesus! In this discussion guide, Everts and Douglas Scott offer ten sessions of candid inquiries into who Jesus was, what he was like and whether or not it matters. Drawing on excerpts from his book Jesus with Dirty Feet as a jumping-off point, they also use each session to explore the big differences between institutional Christianity as you know it and the reality of following Jesus.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Theology, Spirituality

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1999

About the author

Douglas Dowell Scott

Reviews

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book written by Don Everts. "Jesus with Dirty Feet" is a quick and easy read. The prose is written in a way that is storytelling, quite poetic and visually impressive! Everts tells the Gospel in a way that is simple, easy to understand, breaking down the barriers and stereotypes about Christianity and Jesus Christ. In Chapter 2, Everts describes the life of Jesus Christ, about how he walked, how he taught, how he healed. This Author describes the Kingdom of God and what it means to be a "Kingdom Dweller", partaking in the abundant life God has planned for His followers. There is a chapter on Prayer that I shared with my prayer group. It was plain and simple vocabulary yet descriptive and impactful in its meaning. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter about Salvation and how Jesus Christ's teachings infuriated the leaders of his day, describing why the Greeks and Romans hated Jesus' truths. This is a very fun book and I recommend it!

[Garrett Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of the Americanized sissy Jesus of the modern day Prosperity Gospel? Fed up with the hypocrisy of mainstream Christianity and the corruption of the so-called "church"? Yeah, me too. Kinda makes you wanna give up on this whole God thing, doesn't it? But wait! Not so fast! Don't let all of our culture's quasi-Christian nonsense spoil the true revolutionary awesomeness of Jesus for you. Give him one more chance, please. Get ready to pick up a REAL, 500 lb, earthy, splinter-filled wooden cross and follow in the footsteps of the REAL Jesus: the one with dirty feet. The one who dines with the lowlifes, the prostitutes, the poor, and the dying. The Jesus who pisses off rich people with nothing more than simple parables. The Jesus who doesn't just preach at people, he actually feeds them and heals them, expecting nothing in return. The Jesus that said the last will be first, and the first will be last, and really meant it. Check out this book and meet the REAL Jesus. You'll either hate him, or love him. There's no in between. You either want to be a part of his Kingdom of Love for the Sake of Others...or, you'll run back to the Kingdom of America, where it's Love for My Sake, Love-only-if-I-get-something-in-return.

[Ben Zajdel]

Don Everts uses poetry and simplistic thought to explain the origin of the Christian faith in Jesus With Dirty Feet. Some readers might find the text of this book distracting, and I would agree. The words wander all over the page, moving in all directions and forms.

However, that doesn't take away from the beauty of Everts' words. The author strips away all of the religion and tradition of Christianity, looking at it with a fresh perspective. The result is a biography of Jesus minus the religious propaganda.

This book is directed at seekers trying to find out what Jesus is all about. It breaks down the history and origins of the Christian faith, giving just the basics, but still doing so beautifully. Great for anyone who is wanting to learn about Christianity.

[Erik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though it's billed as a book for non-Christians, it seems much more appropriate for explaining to religious conservatives that Jesus is and was much less of a dictator than many believe. If you already see Jesus as something of a hippie, you won't take much new away from this book.

The author formats the text in a manner not unlike poetry, with ample use of line breaks, shape, and location within the page. However, the novel utilization of superficially poetic format lacks as much effect as one might hope. In fact, one starts to expect that the format was used, instead, as a playful way to increase the page count.

A good idea, perhaps, but rather poorly executed.

[David Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian Primer like no other you have seen. For those of you desiring more art in faith this is the book for you. It explores the reality of Jesus as a man as well as God. Written in sense lines the book flows like one long poem that reveals a Jesus that is easy to fall in love with and fear his call on your life at the same time.

[Dana B. Beland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very neat take on the topic of Jesus. The unique writing style brings out truths or our misconceptions of Jesus in a striking way. This book could be used sermon topic introductions or just a place to read a section to illuminate the Jesus of the Bible verse the Jesus of our culture. I really enjoyed it.

[Craig Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

As unique as the style is that Don used to write this book, the content that is poured into the unique style is equally unique. I've recommended it to numerous folks who, like me have been moved and challenged by it. It will stretch and challenge your thinking of what it means to be like Jesus.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small, simple book that truly drives home that many human, divine, and wonderful characteristics of Christ. This book was an incredible comfort to me in high school, when I was beginning to doubt the existence of God and the value of the Church.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A plain language attempt to get at the heart of Christianity. While its tagline says it's for skeptics I also think it's good for those of us who have grown up in the church as a challenge and to refocus us.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea's review: a beginner's guide to knowing/understanding Jesus. A very simple to understand, easy to read book about a very complex thing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

challenging; new ways to think about Jesus, faith, church, salvation, the Bible.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!!!!!!!!!! It is so true, we really need to just set everything aside and follow God/Jesus.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be God's hands and feet.

[Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise but didn't much care for the actual book.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuggets and bullet points about Jesus and the Bible written in contemporary language

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book. I would give it a 6-star rating if I could. It was a great challenge for me to not stop and mark and asterisk and underline and to just read it. I'm glad I went that route - it was a wonderful reading experience. I loved the whole book, but if I *had* to pick a favorite chapter it would be Chapter 2 - "Jesus: God's Dirty Feet". The book is written in what are called "sense lines" (a phrase I had never heard of before). I will probably re-read this book at least once this year. So maybe when I go re-read it, I can come edit the review with it all fresh in my mind (I read it a couple of weeks ago and my memory is a bit black-hole-ish.)

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have been trying to figure out my relationship with God and after reading this, I defiantly feel as if I have a better understanding of him. Throughout the book, there are a lot of references about God that I can understand easily and some of them even relate too. I liked how the book broke down everything from what Jesus started out as to prayer and things like that. I would recommend this book to those who are questioning their relationship with God and those who are looking to know more about Jesus.

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book introduces the reader to a Jewish man "who never asked anyone to become a Christian, never built a steepled building, never drew up a theological treatise, never took an offering, never wore religious garments, never incorporated for tax purposes." He only made one request of people and that same invitation still exists today.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written like poetry, this little gem aims to illustrate with words that which is sublime.
With titles like “The Tribe,” “Blue–Collar Spirituality,” and “Dripping Pages,” Everts
presents the living God who came to live amongst us.

[Kate Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting structure and syntax. I like how this book looks differently at a story that we often hear. I recommended this book to my friend who is a new Christian, and I think it was very helpful to her. We often talk about our faith together and it is nice to have a book to refer to.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a line-of-thought and sentence-break, almost poetic format which lends itself well to critical insights.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content is biblical; form is unconventional. And with these two, the book was compelling. Though it felt like reading an extended poem, I appreciated the style. It's certainly something I'd give to someone that's not very familiar with Jesus (I mean, the Bible would be good too).

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Evert's perspective. It feels fresh, new, and like he actually believes in what he is writing about.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

in progress.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you never get around to this book, at least know and love the title. This is the incarnation my friend

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and am busy trying to read others he has written. Very real look at Jesus, using poetry and spare words. Beautiful.

[Nick Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing "simple" look at who Jesus really is and what He came to establish...

[Buzz Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book trying to get us to remember how to really follow Jesus. My students read it and thought it was good also.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its all about Him...