Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder through Everyday Encounters with God

by John Eldredge

Embark on a spiritual journey to cut through the murk of modern life and rediscover a deeply experiential relationship with Jesus Christ.

Do you feel like you're living your day-to-day at a distance from the rich and nourishing intimacy with God that you long for?

The Christian life is meant to be experiential. Our faith is meant to be felt. It should fill us with wonder. And yet we live in a world of weary, skeptical pragmatism. Our digital age has conditioned us to expect immediate answers and crippled our ability to entertain mystery and experience the healing power of Jesus.

In this this five-session video Bible study (video access included), John Eldredge shows you how to develop deep, everyday habits—rooted in ancient Christian practices—that will help restore your faith and experience real intimacy with God.

This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:

The study guide itself—with discussion and personal reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide.
An individual access code to stream all five video sessions online (DVD also available separately).


Sessions and video run times:

What Children and Mystics Know (22:30)
The Refuge of God (20:30)
Love and Truth as Refuge (19:00)
Jesus: The Integrating Center of All Things (22:30)
The Wonders of God’s Kingdom (23:00)


Streaming video access included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2030. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

John Eldredge is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. He is known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart.

Reviews

[Scott Nickels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the great folks at NetGalley I had the chance to check in on the writings of John Eldredge, most famous for his best-selling books “Wild At Heart” and “Waking the Dead.” Eldredge’s spiritual journey focuses on prioritizing emotional authenticity and, as I learned reading this latest work, he believes in the teachings of the great Roman Catholic mystics while preaching the universality of Christian mysticism in us all. In “ Experience Jesus Really” he not only preaches the benefits of a mystic-driven life but also provides prayer templates for that spiritual life journey.
So I read this book with great interest but also great reticence: his extreme focus on the world experiential Christian life (which I am not arguing against) at the expense of a rigorous intellectual and deep Biblical understanding does not appeal to me. However, his thoughtful arguments in favor of a mystical life has caused me to consider a more balanced approach to my Christian growth.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Eldredge has long been my favorite Christian author, ever since I was broken and read, “WAKING THE DEAD”. Which, at the time, blew my mind on how right he was truly was about our country, world, and society when it came to to God, and exactly what God needs from us, through His love.

This book, if not for “WAKING THE DEAD”, would be my favorite book. He touches on so many key, and crucial realisms of our society today, and how they’re killing us, and our relationship with others, and God.

From our phones, that have become idols, and are literally sucking our souls directly from our hearts and minds, the more we use them, to the idea of “MYSTICS”, and how through prayer, giving time to God, and most important, turning your back on the world…you can enter in that amazing relationship with God.

A definite must read for Christians, and for people everywhere.

[Tina T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gentle and inviting call to experience faith in a deeper, more personal way. John Eldredge’s writing encourages readers to slow down and move beyond a purely intellectual approach to Christianity, making space for wonder, mystery, and everyday encounters with God. I appreciated how the message feels both comforting and challenging, especially in its reminder that faith is meant to be lived and felt, not rushed or reduced to answers alone. The themes of refuge, strength, and intimacy are woven together thoughtfully, leaving the impression of a book that nourishes the soul and invites ongoing reflection long after the final page.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experience Jesus. Really is a refreshing reminder of how present God is in the everyday moments of life. The message is both encouraging and practical—showing how to draw closer to Him not only in prayer and worship, but in ordinary routines where His presence brings peace, strength, and hope. It’s heartfelt, relatable, and left me with a deeper sense of God’s nearness and love.

[Kristian Sloth · Rating 5 out of 5]

important issue to bring back to our attention.

[Kimberly]

I was notified this morning that I won a copy of this book. I am so excited. It might take a few weeks to get it but the time should pass fairly quickly. I will update as I go.

I received my copy today. Goodreads updates won't allow me to update in the normal way, for some reason.